A calm-looking resort beach can still be dangerous. Rip currents, which are narrow channels of water flowing away from the shore, form on many ocean beaches and can pull even strong swimmers out faster than they can swim. Resorts often have lifeguards on the main swimming areas, but not always, and not on every stretch of sand. Knowing how to read the warning signs, and what to do if you are caught, is one of the most useful pieces of travel safety you can learn. This guide covers the basics, drawing on public guidance from the US National Weather Service.
What a rip current is
A rip current forms when waves push water toward the shore and that water then finds a narrow path back out to sea. The result is a fast channel of water moving away from the beach. According to the National Weather Service, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer. They do not pull you under. They pull you out, and the real danger is exhaustion from fighting them.
How to spot one
Rip currents are not always obvious, and the safest assumption is that they can be present on any surf beach. Common signs include a gap in the line of breaking waves, a channel of choppy or discoloured water, a line of foam or debris moving seaward, and a patch that looks calmer than the water around it. That calm patch tempts many people to swim there, which is why rips catch so many visitors. If you are unsure, ask a lifeguard or a member of the resort’s beach team where it is safest to swim.
Understanding beach flags
Many beaches use coloured flags to signal conditions, but the systems are not identical everywhere. A common pattern uses green for calmer conditions, yellow or orange for moderate hazard and red for high hazard, with double red meaning the water is closed. Other places use their own signs or different colours. Do not assume that the colours you know from home mean the same thing abroad. On your first day, look for a sign explaining the local system, or ask staff what each flag means. If red flags are flying, take them seriously, even if the water looks inviting.
What to do if you are caught in a rip current
- Stay calm. Panic wastes energy, and rip currents rarely pull you far offshore.
- Do not swim straight back against the current. This is how most people tire out.
- Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the pull, then angle back toward the beach.
- If you cannot escape, float or tread water to save energy. The current usually weakens past the breaking waves, and you can then swim toward shore.
- If you cannot reach the beach, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If you see someone else in trouble, do not go in after them unless you are trained. Alert a lifeguard, call local emergency services if none is present, and throw the swimmer something that floats. Many would-be rescuers have drowned.
Questions to ask when you arrive
- Is there a lifeguard on this beach, and what hours are they on duty?
- Which part of the beach is safest for swimming today?
- What do the flags and signs here mean?
- Are there any areas with known currents, reefs or sea urchins?
- What is the procedure if a guest is in difficulty in the water?
Special cases: alcohol, children and snorkelling
Alcohol and swimming are a poor combination, and all-inclusive resorts make both easy. Alcohol slows reactions and judgement, so it is sensible to stay out of rough water after drinking. Children should be within arm’s reach in surf, and weak swimmers should use the resort pool when conditions are rough. If you snorkel, tell someone where you are going, wear a flotation vest if you are not confident, and avoid swimming alone. Our post on sun, heat and hydration at a beach resort adds habits that help you stay alert in the water.
Insurance and emergencies
Know the local emergency number before you swim, since it is not always 911. Our post on emergency numbers abroad explains how to look it up. If an incident happens, our guide to handling a medical emergency at an all-inclusive resort covers resort clinics, hospitals and insurance claims. Also check whether your travel insurance covers water activities, since some policies exclude certain sports.
The habit that matters most
If there is one habit to take away, it is to check the water before you enter it. Spend a minute watching the waves, find the flags and ask staff. That minute costs nothing, and it can change how a day ends. Swim near a lifeguard when you can, never swim alone, and teach everyone in your group the parallel-to-shore rule before you reach the beach.