Beaches are one of Australia's most recognisable and enjoyable features. This article gives information on beach safety to help prevent accidents and injuries.
If you get into trouble when swimming at the beach, try and stay calm and call for help. Save your energy by floating on your back — this will ensure you have the energy to stay afloat until help arrives.
Lifeguards and lifesavers are trained to supervise beachgoers. They provide advice about beach conditions.
Lifesavers will usually be wearing red and yellow, but this may change. You should note what uniform the lifesaving service at your beach is wearing. This will help you know who to look for in an emergency.
Every beach has permanent and occasional hazards that you will need to look out for. Lifesaving services use safety flags to help show these hazards. The flags also show you the safe areas to swim in.
Lifesavers will put flags up on the beach each day. The position of the flags may change throughout the day as the conditions change.
A good rule is: NO FLAGS = NO SWIM.
A red and yellow flag tells you to swim between the flags.
They show the supervised area of the beach. This means that lifeguards are watching that area.
If there are no red and yellow flags, it means there is no supervision. Check with the lifeguards. If you are unsure, don't go into the water.
A red flag means that the beach is closed. There is no swimming, and you shouldn't enter the water.
A yellow flag means that caution is needed. You should be careful as there are hazards in the water. A yellow warning sign should be displayed nearby, showing what the hazard is — for example, large waves or jelly fish.
A black and white check flag shows where board riding and surfing is not allowed.
Beach safety sign images: Courtesy of Surf Lifesaving Association
Beach safety signs are different shapes and colours. They tell you about the beach and the conditions.
Warning signs are diamond-shaped, yellow and black. They warn you about hazards at the beach. Hazards can be things like 'unexpected large waves' or 'swimming not advised'.
This is an example of a warning sign for large waves.
Regulatory signs are a red circle with a diagonal line through a black image. They tell you about prohibited activities at that beach. Prohibited activities could be things like 'no swimming' or 'no surfboard riding between the flags'.
This is an example of a regulatory sign for no swimming
Information signs are square-shaped and blue and white. They give information about features at that beach. Examples are 'patrolled beach' or 'surfboard riding is allowed'.
An example of an information signs for a patrolled beach
Safety signs are square-shaped and green and white. They show a safety provision nearby. They can also show safety advice such as 'emergency telephone', 'first aid' or 'lifesaving equipment'.
This is an example of a safety sign for first aid.
Beach safety sign images: Courtesy of Surf Lifesaving Association
Rip currents (sometimes just called a 'rip') are the main hazard on Australian beaches. Rips are strong currents that begin near the shore and run away from the beach. Being caught in a rip may feel like you are in a flowing river.
Not all rip currents flow directly out to sea. Some may run parallel to the beach before heading out to sea. Rips cause about 26 deaths every year. From 2023 to 2024, 35% of drowning deaths at beaches were related to rip currents.
There are a few signs that can help you spot a rip, such as:
If you find yourself in a rip, follow these steps:
Waves are one of the most enjoyable features of the beach and ocean. However, they change with different conditions. Waves at the beach may also be referred to as the 'surf' or 'swell'.
The surf can change very quickly at the beach. If you are in the ocean, you should always face the sea. This way you can see any large waves approaching.
If you are not sure if conditions are safe for swimming, ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety advice.
A wave 'breaks' when the swell reaches shallow water. This is when the wave curls over. There are 3 different ways that a wave can break.
Plunging and dumping waves break suddenly. They often form a barrel shape. You may not see any white water until after they break.
They can knock you over and throw you to the bottom with great force. These waves usually occur at low tide where sandbanks are shallow.
Dumping waves can cause injuries to swimmers, particularly spinal and head injuries. You should never body surf on these waves.
Spilling waves will have white water tumbling down the face of the wave (in front). They usually have less force, and are the safest waves for body surfing.
They are found on beaches and in bays where the sea floor slopes gradually. Sometimes they can be found near sandbanks at high tide.
If the water around the shore is deep, the waves may not break. These are called surging waves.
These waves are found in rocky areas around cliffs and where the beach drops off quickly. They can be very dangerous. They can knock you over and drag you back into deep water.
Sometimes, waves at the beach can be quite large. This may depend on the type of beach and the wind at the time.
Surfing or swimming around large waves can be dangerous. It should only be attempted by experienced swimmers, between the red and yellow flags.
You should also avoid creek and river mouths when there is large surf. This is because the currents there are often stronger.
Lifeguards and lifesavers watch all swimmers in the water. Parents and carers also need to watch their children at all times. You should:
When you arrive at the beach, decide on an easy-to-find point, such as the lifeguard tower. Tell your child to go there if you get separated.
If you are going to the beach, read more about:
Every year, people get into trouble on the beach and in the water because of alcohol. Drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs and swimming is a dangerous combination, as these substances can:
Some prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines can also have side effects that may affect you in the water. Ask your doctor about any side effects before you visit the beach.
Sharks are one of the many types of creatures that live in the ocean.
Shark attacks are very rare. But there are ways to reduce your chance of being bitten by a shark, such as not swimming:
Swimmers should come out of the water immediately if the lifeguards sound a shark alarm.
Stingrays are sea creatures with a flat body and a long tail. Most stingrays have a barb at the base of their tail for self-defence. They live all over Australia.
If you are stung by a stingray, you may:
When in shallow water, you can avoid being stung by shuffling your feet, to encourage any nearby stingray to swim away.
Jellyfish are sea creatures that can cause a painful sting. Different jellyfish (stingers) are found in different locations in Australia. Read about jellyfish stings.
For more information, go to sea creature bites and stings.
Do not jump in if someone is washed into the water — call triple zero (000) or go get help.
Many people enjoy rock fishing along the Australian coast. But it is one of Australia's most dangerous sports. The ocean and waves around rock platforms can make them unsafe.
To keep safe when rock fishing, it's important to be prepared. Make sure that you take the right gear with you. This includes:
You should fish only in places that you know are safe. It's important that you:
Once you arrive:
Every year, people have accidents that result in spinal injuries. Spinal injuries can happen at the beach if you:
Any neck soreness or pain should be treated as a potential spinal injury. Urgent medical attention is needed.
You can find more about beach and coastal safety on the Surf Life Saving website (Opens in new tab) or the Royal Life Saving Australia website (Opens in new tab).
For more information on about Australian beaches, visit the Beachsafe website (Opens in new tab).
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: November 2024
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