We’ve all seen the colored flags at the beach—green means the water is safe, yellow means conditions are iffy, and red means you probably shouldn’t risk it unless you’ve got a death wish. But then there’s that odd one you don’t hear about much: the purple flag. Ever walked past one and thought, “What’s that even for?”
I’ll admit, I had passed them countless times without giving them a second glance. Then one day, curiosity hit me. I thought I had the beach warning system mastered—green, yellow, red, and of course double red, which basically means “don’t even think about it.” But purple? That seemed out of place. Turns out, it’s 100% official—and no, it’s not just a bored lifeguard messing around with paint.
A purple flag signals the presence of marine pests. Sounds tame, right? But don’t let the word “pests” fool you. In this case, it usually means creatures that sting, zap, or poke—like jellyfish, stingrays, or other spiny sea critters you’d rather not meet up close.
So here’s the bottom line: when you see a purple flag, it’s the beach’s way of saying, “You’re welcome to swim, but don’t be surprised if something stings you on the way out.” It doesn’t guarantee a jellyfish swarm, but it does mean the odds are higher than usual.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. We’re used to worrying about the obvious stuff—big waves, riptides, or dangerous currents. But on those calm, postcard-perfect days, the ocean still has hidden surprises. The purple flag is basically a warning about dangers you can’t see.
And here’s a twist that really messes with your head: sometimes you’ll see both a green and a purple flag flying together. The water looks amazing, conditions are calm, yet those little purple flags are quietly reminding you—you’re not alone out there.
In a way, it’s kind of genius. The ocean can’t talk, but that flag is its way of whispering, “There are things living in here that belong as much as you do. Swim wisely.”
Once I finally learned what it meant, I started noticing them everywhere. You can always tell who’s paying attention—the folks shifting their towels back from the waterline—or the kids who sprint in without noticing, only to come running back with jellyfish stings and vows of revenge against the sea.
So here’s the quick recap:
- Green = good to go.
- Yellow = swim with caution.
- Red = don’t risk it.
- Double red = absolutely not.
- Purple = the ocean is full of stingers, pokers, or zappers today.
What I really appreciate about the purple flag is that it’s subtle but important. It reminds you that the ocean isn’t just a giant swimming pool—it’s a living ecosystem, and we’re only visitors.
So next time you’re setting up your beach chair, slathering on sunscreen, and wondering why that little purple flag is waving at you like it knows something—pay attention. It’s telling you the ocean has company you might not want to meet.
