Panama City Beach Flags Today

From the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Its surf zone forecast lists the flags flying at area beaches, "based on communication with area beach officials," and this page reads it automatically.

Lifeguards can change the flag during the day, so the flag on the pole at your beach is always the one that counts.

Panama City Beach: —St. Andrews State Park: —

Laguna Beach and Sunnyside fall under the same Bay County line in the Weather Service report as Panama City Beach, so they show the same flag here.

St. Andrews State Park is listed on its own, so it can fly a different flag. Mexico Beach does not fly flags or staff lifeguards.

No. Double red means the water is closed to the public. In Panama City Beach, going in the Gulf under double red flags can get you a $500 citation without a warning (city ordinance, in effect since September 2024).

Rough-water days are good for the calm side of the bay, sunset cruises and indoor fun. Ideas are below.

• Green: low hazard, calm conditions. Still use caution.
• Yellow: medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents.
• Red: high hazard, high surf and/or strong currents.
• Double red: water closed to the public.
• Purple: dangerous marine life, like jellyfish or stingrays. Flies with another color.

No. They are about 50 miles apart, in different counties, with different lifeguard agencies, so the flags are often different on the same day. See today's Destin flag →

Don't fight it. Stay calm and float, then swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the pull, and swim back in at an angle. If you can't, face the beach, wave and yell for help. If you see someone in trouble, call 911 and don't go in after them without something that floats.