The purple flag on beaches: what it means and why you should be cautious

Authorities remind beachgoers of the importance of respecting coastal signage to avoid biological risks and accidents this summer.

Generic image of a purple flag on a Canary Islands beach.
IA

Generic image of a purple flag on a Canary Islands beach.

The Civil Guard has reinforced its information campaign regarding the flag system on Canary Islands beaches, highlighting the importance of correctly identifying the purple flag due to health risks.

The security force has emphasized that the presence of the purple flag on the coast indicates specific risks such as the appearance of jellyfish, biological contamination, or other dangers related to marine life. This signage complements the traditional green, yellow, and red flags, which report on general sea conditions.
Regarding the yellow flag, authorities have clarified that its meaning often causes confusion among users. This flag implies that swimming is permitted only with restrictions, prohibiting access to areas where the swimmer cannot touch the bottom, ensuring that one can keep their head above water at all times.
The beach safety system is completed by the green flag, which indicates favorable conditions for swimming, and the red flag, which strictly prohibits entering the water due to extreme danger, whether caused by strong waves, currents, or any circumstance that compromises physical safety.