Corpus Christi is home to some of the most beautiful beaches the Gulf Coast Capital has to offer and there's nothing better than enjoying a sunny beach day with your family and friends. From North Padre Island and Mustang Island to Port Aransas and the Padre Island National Seashore, there are plenty of options for beachgoers to kick back, relax and spend a day on the South Texas shoreline. We want you to enjoy your time on the beach, however, so please do so responsibly by adhering to our Gulf Beach Flag Warning System.

 

What’s the Flag Warning System?

If you’ve been to one of our beaches you’ve probably seen the color-coded flags. These flags are set up to let you know what the water conditions are like. It can range from normal beach conditions to rip tides and undertows, which – at times – can impose danger to swimmers and surfers. Understanding these flags can help you navigate the waters to ensure you have the best experience possible. Read on to learn what each flag color indicates and to learn the difference between rip tides and undertows.

What does each flag color indicate? 

Red Flags
  • Conditions are extremely hazardous, and suggest that beachgoers avoid the water.

Yellow Flags
  • Conditions are moderately hazardous. This typically refers to wind conditions. Swimming is permitted but be cognizant of your surroundings.

Green Flags
  • The most common of the colors you’ll encounter – this means the water conditions are safer for you to enjoy!

Purple Flags
  • Indicate that marine life (ie. jellyfish, stingrays, man-o-war) is present and could pose potential risks to swimmers. Don’t be scared, though! These aquatic creatures are just in their natural habitat. If you give them space, you’ll be fine!

Orange Flags
  • Indicate that there is environmental pollution in the air or water that can be hazardous to beachgoers. This could mean that bacteria levels are high, especially after high tides, or that the air or water quality is poor.

What are Rip Tides and Undertows?

Riptide

A rip tide creates a strong current that sucks swimmers out into deep waters. It can be dangerous for those who try to swim against the current unsuccessfully. The best way to combat a rip tide is by swimming out of it sideways, or tread water as it carries you out, and then either swimming sideways or waiting until a lifeguard can reach you.

Undertow

Every day, over 6,000 waves break on a beach. The broken wave pushes water up the beach and gravity pulls the water back down the beach, as backwash. When big waves break on the beach, a large uprush and backwash of water and sand are generated; this seaward-flowing water/sand mixture is pulled strongly into the next breaking wave. When a wave breaks over their head, swimmers feel as if they are being sucked under water. Swimmers will be tumbled around roughly, but this return flow only goes a short distance to the next breaking wave. Remember that only experienced swimmers and surfers should enter the water on big wave days.