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Gold Coast beaches are great places to enjoy. To stay safe in the surf, make sure you understand the following important information.
✓ Swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags. No flags = no swim. ✓ Keep children within arms reach. ✓ Always read the safety signs for information. Ask a lifeguard if you're unsure. ✗ Never swim at night. ✗ Never swim after eating food or drinking alcohol. ✗ Never swim at beaches that are unpatrolled.
Take extra care when a yellow flag is flying. If you are unsure, check with the lifeguard before swimming.
Never swim near a danger sign.
Always swim between the red and yellow flags
Never swim when the beach is closed. Find information about beach closures on our City alerts.
No surfing between the red and yellow flags. Do not use fibre glass or hard plastic surfcraft. For more information check with lifeguards.
✓ Stay calm. Raise one arm straight up to attract attention. Float and wait for help to arrive. Call out for help if someone is swimming or surfing nearby. ✗ Don't struggle or swim against a current/rip. You could put yourself in more danger.
✓ Alert a lifeguard. ✓ If a lifeguard is not on the beach, call 000. ✗ Do not enter the water to help. You could end up needing to be rescued too.
Visit our Beach locations page for information about our beaches, including lifeguard patrol times and tower locations at each beach.
View our interactive map of beach locations and facilities available at each beach.
To find out if a beach is closed see our City alerts page or follow City of Gold Coast on Facebook.