Medium Hazard
Moderate surf and/or currents
High Hazard
High surf and/or strong currents
Water CLOSED to Public
No wading, swimming, or surfing.
Entering the Gulf during Double Red Flag conditions is ILLEGAL
Stinging Marine Life
Exercise caution. Stinging Marine Life / Stingrays.
When visiting Perdido Key beaches, your safety is our top priority. Please pay close attention to the beach warning flag system and follow all posted signs and guidance from local officials. Remember: the absence of beach flags does not guarantee safe swimming conditions.
Always use caution
Fun Fact: Perdido Key follows the same beach flag system used by our neighbors in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, ensuring consistency and clear communication across our shared coastline.
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Understanding Rip Currents
What is a Rip Current?
Rip currents are powerful channels of water that are caused by breaks in the sandbar just offshore. Currents flowing away from the coast move fastest where the sandbar is reduced or not present and the water is deeper. Always swim near a lifeguard and ask them where it is safest to swim. If lifeguards are not present, attempt to stay on the sandbars and avoid the area between sandbars where the water color is typically darker. Avoid swimming near piers and jetties where permanent rip currents are present. Rip currents are the greatest danger to beach patrons and account for more than 80 percent of water rescues performed by surf rescue lifeguards.
How to Escape?
If you become caught in a rip current, escape by swimming sideways to the direction the current is pulling you, or parallel to shore. If you cannot swim out of the rip or the current is too strong, go with the flow offshore and the rip current will weaken. Then, swim back to shore at an angle away from the rip current.