Pensacola Beach Lifeguard Season Ends Oct. 16

Since March 1, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have performed 63 rescues from drowning and 207 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attending to 45 major medical incidents and assisting 35 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 94,000 times during the 2017 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips. An additional 14,000 people were reached through water safety presentations.

Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present.  

Follow the posted beach condition flag warnings:

• Green Flag - Means “low hazard,” but you should still exercise caution.
• Yellow flag - Indicates “moderate surf and conditions” such as rip currents. Swimmers should exercise careful caution when entering the water.
• Red flag - “Strong currents and high surf," no swimming or wading. Entering the Gulf of Mexico to swim or wade during red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
• Double red flags - Only used during hurricanes and other natural disasters. No swimming, wading or surfing in the Gulf of Mexico. Entering the Gulf of Mexico during double red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
• Purple flag - Indicates “dangerous marine wildlife” may be present. Please use caution when entering the water.

Follow all Pensacola Beach rules, including:

• Glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
• The west side of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is an alcohol free zone.
• Open containers are not allowed off the boardwalk or outside any establishment.
• No alcohol can be consumed in any parking lot on Santa Rosa Island.
• Dogs other than service animals are not permitted on the any of the beaches except in designated dog parks. To view complete rules and boundaries for Pensacola Beach dog parks, click here.

For daily flag conditions and more information about Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, visit the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com or the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook.