Purple Flag at the Beach and its meaning

Honestly, it’s kind of brilliant. The ocean does not “talk,” right? But this is as close as we get. A purple flag is basically the ocean whispering to you, “This stuff I am hiding in me today is a normal part of my ecosystem. Proceed accordingly.”

Anyway! Once I figured it out, I started noticing the purple flag, occasionally, even on the days that are loveliest by the beach! You can always spot the people who notice the purple flag and are casually sliding their towels a little farther back. Or the kids who did not notice and are heckin’ running in—then maybe half an hour later are running back out with red welts on their legs and swearing their vengeance to the sea.

So alright. Green = go. Yellow = uh, be careful. Red = nope. Double red = really nope. And purple flag = let’s just say it’s a heads-up. A heads-up doesn’t mean, “you’re going to die”; rather, it’s saying, “there is some stuff in here that may not want you floating out.” Not dramatic, but not decorative either!

I think what I like about it, actually, is how unassuming it is. There is something humbling, perhaps, about reminding yourself, you are not the only one in the water. This is no big, salty floating pool—you are hanging out, swimming amidst a sensitive, living ecosystem—and you’re a guest!

So the next time you are doing your beach day, and you’ve got your beach chair and your SPF 50 sunscreen and you notice that weird little purple flag waving back and forth like it knows something that you do not… well, pay attention. It kind of does.