Find out when and where lifeguards will be on duty this year and how to swim safely in the sea.
The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) now manage the beach lifeguard service.
Main Season: 24 May 2025 to 7 September 2025
Peak Season: 19 July 2025 to 7 September 2025
RNLI lifeguards will be on duty on the following beaches from Saturday, 24 May 2025.
You can find the lifeguard stations at:
Lifeguards will be on duty from Saturday, 19 July to Sunday, 7 September 2025, on the following beaches for the school summer holidays:
The RNLI provides information on how to stay safe along the coast and in the water.
Red and yellow flags on the beach show the swim areas. Swim between these flags if you wish to be supervised by lifeguards.
The red flag means lifeguards strongly advise against swimming due to dangerous conditions or water quality issues. Please stay clear of the water and ask a lifeguard if you need more advice.
The orange windsock means the wind is blowing offshore, and could send you out to sea rapidly. Please do not use inflatables when you see the orange windsock.
The chequered flag in Hove, west of the King Alfred, indicates the zone for Kite-Surfers and Wind-Surfers. These users must launch between these flags and stay clear of the swim area.
Boat lane buoys are cylindrical, yellow, and have "Boat Lane" on top. They indicate where boats and vessels may go in and out. On the beach, yellow poles line up with the boat buoys to indicate the lane.
See more information on seafront bylaws.
Swim buoys are located in the water in a box formation to define the swim zone. They are circular, yellow and say 'swim area'.
At an average high tide, the:
Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are allowed in the swim area.
The following vessels are not allowed to enter the swim area: