Panama City Beach is a popular destination for beachgoers, with its 27 miles of white sand beaches and crystal clear Gulf waters. Whether you're a local or a visitor, it's essential to know when it's safe to take a dip and when to stay out of the water. Before entering the water, be sure to check the safety flags on the beach and any warnings. It's important to cover any cuts or open wounds, or if you have a weak immune system, as well as to protect yourself from any algae blooms that you may see or smell. Panama City Beach uses the internationally accepted beach flag alert system to keep its 4.5 million visitors and locals safe from dangerous upcurrents.
The meanings of the flags are explained in detail below. When double red flags are flying, the Gulf is closed to swimmers. With the exception of surfers tied to a board, no one is allowed to be in the water when double reds are flying. Look for educational materials on these warning flags in your hotel, condo or vacation rental, as well as at all access points to public beaches. Shell Island Beach is a great spot for swimming, and it's also one of the favorite places for wild dolphins in the Panama City area. You can even swim with dolphins on Shell Island's sandbanks!According to studies conducted by the EPA, enterococci have a higher correlation with gastrointestinal diseases associated with swimming in both marine and freshwater than other bacterial indicator organisms, and are less likely to die in salt water.
If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they can cause diseases, infections or skin rashes in humans. To ensure your safety while swimming in Panama City Beach, it's important to pay attention to the beach flag alert system and any warnings posted on the beach. Be sure to cover any cuts or open wounds before entering the water, and protect yourself from any algae blooms that you may see or smell. Shell Island Beach is a great spot for swimming, and it's also one of the favorite places for wild dolphins in the area. With proper precautions taken, you can enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience in Panama City Beach!.
