Let's go to the beach: Water safety in Australia

Australia is home to hundreds of beautiful beaches, but before you put on some sunscreen and head out for a day in the surf, it’s important to understand basic beach safety. Keep reading for our top tips on how to stay safe at the beach.

Lifeguards are trained professionals dedicated to keeping beachgoers safe. They patrol the beach, assist people in trouble, and provide first aid. Voluntary lifeguards, called 'lifesavers,' wear red and yellow, while paid lifeguards at popular beaches like Bondi usually wear blue. Both types patrol near the red and yellow flags or lifeguard towers.

To ensure everyone's safety, they use whistles, sirens, loudspeakers, hand signals, and verbal directions.

Remember, lifeguards are there to help, so don't hesitate to ask them any questions.

Water and beach culture are a big part of Australian life. Good swimming skills can keep you safe in the water, as the surf can be rough and conditions can change quickly.

If you’re interested in learning to swim, professional swim schools like State Swim, Royal Life Saving Australia and JUMP! provide structured programs with certified instructors. These programs help build your confidence and teach essential skills for safer swimming.

When you’re heading to the beach, always tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back - it's better to go with friends. Never swim alone, especially if you're not a strong swimmer.

Many beaches in Australia are not patrolled. Wherever possible, swim at a patrolled beach marked by red and yellow flags.

Swim between the flags

The number one rule of beach safety in Australia is to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards place these flags on the beach to show the safest spots to swim. They check these areas for dangers and will move the flags if conditions change. So, if you swim between the flags, you’re usually in the safest part of the beach.

If there are no flags, don't swim. This could mean there are no lifeguards, or the water isn't safe. Always check for water safety signs when you enter the beach. These signs will warn you about swimming hazards or dangerous conditions, like rip currents.

Understanding rip currents

Rip currents (or ‘rips’) are powerful channels of fast-moving water that can quickly pull swimmers away from the shore. They are one of the most common hazards on Australian beaches and are often difficult to see. You need to know how rips work in case you ever get caught in one.

How do I recognise a rip?

Look for darker patches of water, patterns like choppy or rippled water and areas where waves aren’t breaking consistently. Areas in which foam or seaweed are moving quickly out to sea are likely to be rips.

Surf Lifesaving New South Wales has a helpful video that shows you how to spot a rip.

What happens if I get caught in a rip?

If you get caught in a rip, follow these steps:

• Stay calm: Don’t panic. Keep your cool and conserve your energy. Panicking can wear you out and make it harder to escape the rip. Just focus on staying afloat.

• Swim parallel to the shore: Try to swim sideways out of the rip current's path.

• Signal for help: raise your arm to notify the lifeguards on the beach that you need assistance. Lifeguards are trained to recognise this signal and will be able to get you to safety as soon as they can.

• Don’t fight against it: While you’re waiting for help, float along with the rip rather than trying to fight it. If you're a strong swimmer, try swimming parallel to the beach to get out of the rip. Once you're free, swim back to shore at an angle. Trying to swim against the rip will only wear you out.

While Australia’s marine life is diverse and unique, some sea creatures are a bit less friendly than others! Knowing what to look out for and what to stay away from can help you relax and have fun in the water.

Jellyfish: Some jellyfish (also know as marine stingers), can be dangerous and their stings can be extremely painful. Always look out for jellyfish warning signs at the beach which will tell you if they’re common in that area. Don’t touch jellyfish, even if they’re washed up on the shore. Certain types, like the box jellyfish and Irukandji jellyfish, have venom that can cause serious, life-threatening reactions.

Blue-ringed octopus: This small but venomous octopus can be found in tidal pools and rocky areas. It has bright blue rings that appear when it feels threatened. Its bite can be deadly, so it’s important not to touch it and be cautious when exploring tide pools and rocky shorelines.

Cone shell: While cone-shaped shells might seem harmless, some contain a paralysing venom that causes serious medical issues. Avoid picking up any cone-shaped shells, even if you find them washed up on the shore.

Bluebottles: most people will encounter a bluebottle on Australian beaches. You’ll normally find them floating in the water or washed up on the sand. Bluebottle stings are common and their venom is not fatal to humans. Find out how to treat a bluebottle sting.

As a general rule, you can look but don’t touch marine life at the beach. Marine creatures should be left undisturbed in their natural habitat. By keeping your distance, you avoid causing stress or harm to both the marine animal and yourself.

Do I need to worry about sharks?

There are many types of sharks around Australia, but shark attacks are rare. Minimise your risk by swimming close to shore and staying between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Look for signs indicating recent shark sightings and avoid swimming early in the morning or at night when sharks are most active. If you see a shark, stay calm, slowly exit the water, and inform any lifeguards on duty.

State governments have measures in place to reduce shark attacks and activity near humans. For more information, visit your state government website.

Australia has some of the highest UV radiation in the world, which means you're more likely to get sunburnt and increase your risk of skin cancer, especially if you spend long days at the beach without sun protection.

Staying sun safe is important. It's not just about using sunscreen (though that's a big part of it). SunSmart recommends five ways to protect yourself from UV rays: wear sunscreen, clothing, a broad-brim hat, sunglasses, and stick to shady spots when possible.

Read more about how to protect yourself from the sun.

Don't forget to check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer. If you notice a new mole, see changes to an existing spot, or have any concerns about your skin, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

At nib, we have a range of tools to help you check your skin for skin cancer:

• Take the free nib skin self-assessment to better understand your skin cancer risk.

• Got a spot, mole, or freckle you want to check out? With nib SkinVision, you can check your skin for signs of skin cancer anytime, anywhere. Just download the app, take a photo, and you'll get personalised advice in minutes.

Please note: The information throughout this article serves as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.