Simple Seaside Tips When You Visit Miami

Miami is a wonderful place to spend some time during the summer months, and with the endless festivals and Cuban inspired culture, it is a summer city like no other. In particular, the beaches in Miami are amazing. Lummus Park Beach is ideal for volleyball; Surfside is wonderful for, well, surfers; and Bill Baggs Cape is perfect for enjoying water sports.

With the sheer number of seaside spots to enjoy in Miami, it is no surprise that many tourists come here for a sandy beach, or for a boat for rent miami, or a diving experience throughout the summer season. Today though, we want to make sure you know how to stay safe on the beaches in Miami and in the waters below.

Stay near the lifeguards

Every beach in Miami will have lifeguards there to watch people and ensure that they are safe. Of course, this is no BayWatch, but you will want to stay within reach and view of these people when on the beach. There have been more than 300 cases of drowning in Miami beaches, and this is why it is crucial for you to stay safe and stay in the eye line of the lifeguards at all times.

Spot the flag

When you head to a beach in Miami, you will notice that the lifeguards’ stands which are spaced out on the beach are painted in bright colours so that they are easy to spot. However, it is the colour of the flags which display here that you want to watch out for. There are 5 different flags you will see on the lifeguard stands, and this is what each of them means:

• Red with a line over swimmer – this means that the water is volatile and unsafe for swimming. Don’t swim when you see this flag
• Red – danger is lurking (such as heavy waves or sharks) and you should be cautious when swimming or surfing due to risk of rip currents or high surf
• Yellow – The danger is moderate and you are relatively safe, but you should still be aware of currents and animals
• Green – Green means go! The water is calm and safe for swimming, so get in there are enjoy yourself!
• Purple – The water is brimming with sea life, but some of the animals may be dangerous such as sharks or jellyfish, so swim with some caution

Understand rip currents

One of the biggest dangers you can face in the water when swimming is a rip current. A rip current is common in the ocean but it can carry you out far into the sea without you being able to stop it. It is important when you head to the beach for a swim that you know how to spot a rip current and how to react to it. To see a rip current you will likely see some of the following:

• Sand-coloured areas – this can indicate that a rip current is forming under the surface by washing the sand from the bottom of the sea as the water flows
• Dark patches – deep layers can indicate the presence of a rip current
• Moving seaweed – if you spot lines of moving seaweed in the ocean, this means a rip current is likely here
• Choppy water – if it looks like a washing machine this can indicate a rip current

Leave animals alone

The ocean has a huge array of stunning creatures from fish to turtles to dolphins and manatees, but if you are to stay safe in the Miami waters it is important not to engage with animals or pester them. You never know what is dangerous and what isn’t and this is a danger for your health if you are bitten or stung.