With the bathing season underway and thousands of people looking for Portuguese beaches, there is a flag that continues to raise doubts among many bathers: the checkered flag, with black and white squares, means that the beach is temporarily unattended, that is, without lifeguards on duty at that moment, according to the website.
This signage is not related to sea disturbances or water quality. The sea may seem calm, but the lack of supervision means extra care, especially when there are children, elderly people or swimmers with less experience in the water.
The presence of this flag should serve as a warning to avoid risky behavior. Without lifeguards on site, an emergency situation may take longer to respond to, so caution becomes even more important.
Checkered flag demands attention
The checkered flag is one of the least known by many Portuguese, although it can appear on guarded beaches outside of surveillance hours or at times when the service is not active. Therefore, it should not be confused with the green, yellow or red flags.
Unlike these three signs, which indicate the state of the sea and conditions for swimming, the flag of black and white squares only informs that the beach is unattended during that period.
In these cases, swimmers should avoid entering the sea alone, stay close to the shore and pay special attention to children. Even in apparently calm waters, currents, sudden changes in swell or distractions can transform a moment of leisure into a dangerous situation, as stated by the same source.
What do the most famous colors mean?
The green flag is usually the most desired by those arriving at the beach. This signage indicates that sea conditions are considered favorable and that swimming is permitted.
Still, the green flag does not mean total absence of risk. The sea can change quickly, there may be localized currents and it is still necessary to respect the instructions of the lifeguards.
The yellow flag requires greater caution. In these cases, bathing is permitted, but it is not advisable to swim away from the shore. Rough seas, currents or other conditions can make entering the water more risky.
When entry into the sea is prohibited
The red flag has a clear message: entering the water is prohibited. This signage is used when the sea presents significant danger to swimmers, due to strong swells, intense currents or other risky conditions.
Ignoring a red flag can put lives in danger and require emergency services to intervene. For this reason, the prohibition must always be respected, even by people who know how to swim well.
On many beaches, red and yellow flags can also be placed on the sand, usually in pairs. These indicate the recommended area for swimmers to enter and remain in the water, as it is the area monitored by lifeguards.
Jellyfish, blue flag and closed beach
On some beaches, a warning flag may even appear for the presence of jellyfish, box jellyfish or Portuguese caravels. Depending on the location, this signage may be purple or white with a jellyfish symbol.
According to the source cited above, the presence of this flag does not necessarily mean that bathing is prohibited, but it does indicate that special care must be taken. Contact with these organisms can cause burns, skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions.
The blue flag has another meaning. It does not indicate the state of the sea, but rather an international distinction granted to beaches that meet criteria for water quality, environmental management, safety, accessibility and visitor support services.
There are other signs to be aware of
The black flag is one of the most serious and signals that the beach is closed. This closure may be due to extreme weather conditions, water pollution or lack of safety on the beach.
When the black flag is raised, staying in the water may be prohibited and, in some cases, there may also be restrictions on staying on the beach itself. The authorities’ instructions must always be respected.
There are also distinctions such as Accessible Beach, attributed to bathing areas prepared to receive people with reduced mobility, with adapted access and equipment. The Gold Quality classification, granted by Quercus, highlights beaches with a history of excellence in bathing.
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