There are currently some technical difficulties with the Planning Register. As an alternative, if you cannot access the register, send an email to planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Lifeguards
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.
2025 season dates
Main Season: 24 May 2025 to 7 September 2025
Peak Season: 19 July 2025 to 7 September 2025
Lifeguard service 2025
RNLI lifeguards will be on duty on the following beaches from Saturday, 24 May 2025.
Patrols and posts
You can find the lifeguard stations at:
- Kemp Town Beach - BN3 1EN
- East of Brighton Palace Pier - BN2 1PS
- Albion Beach - BN2 1TD
- Central Brighton, West Street - BN1 2FN
- West Pier Beach - BN1 2LN
- Hove Lawns Beach - BN3 2FR
- King Alfred - BN3 2WW
Lifeguards will be on duty from Saturday, 19 July to Sunday, 7 September 2025, on the following beaches for the school summer holidays:
- Saltdean Beach - BN2 8SQ
- Rottingdean Beach - BN2 7HR
- West Hove Beach - BN3 4LX
The RNLI provides information on how to stay safe along the coast and in the water.
Swimming zones and what the flags and buoys mean
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:
- nearest buoy is 150 metres out
- most southerly buoy 200 metres out
Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are allowed in the swim area.
The following vessels are not allowed to enter the swim area:
- motorboats
- sailboats
- wind-surfers
- kite-surfers
- jet-skis