Beach flags and lifeguards

On lifeguarded beaches you'll see a flagpole: green means safe to swim; yellow, caution (waves or currents, stay close); red, no swimming. Many beaches also fly a flag with a jellyfish on it when jellyfish have been spotted. Lifeguards usually work from May to October, roughly 10 am to 6-7 pm; outside those dates and in many small coves there's no supervision.

Take the red flag seriously: every summer people drown in Mallorca, almost always in rough seas. If a current pulls you out, don't fight it: swim parallel to the shore until you're free and raise your arm to call for help. Emergencies: 112.

In Mallorca the wind direction decides: with the tramontana, from the north, the sea gets rough on the north coast, from Formentor to the Serra de Tramuntana, while the south is usually calm; with the levante the same happens on the east coast. If your cove has rough water, the other side of the island is often calm. When AEMET issues a coastal warning, also keep away from breakwaters, rocks and promenades where waves break.

Coves without lifeguards have no flag: watch the sea for a few minutes before going in, and be wary of stretches where water flows back out, with foam or no breaking waves. If a jellyfish stings you, get out, rinse the area with seawater or saline, never fresh water, remove any remains with tweezers or a card without rubbing, and apply something cold wrapped in a cloth. If the pain is severe or you feel dizzy, tell the lifeguard.

Frequently asked questions

What does a yellow flag mean on a beach in Mallorca?

You can swim, but with caution: there are waves, currents or another risk to watch. Stay where you can stand, close to the supervised area, and do not swim out. With children, stay at the water's edge. The flag can change during the day, so check it again.

What should I do if a jellyfish stings me in Mallorca?

Get out of the water and rinse the sting with seawater or saline, never fresh water, which makes it worse. Remove any remains with tweezers or a card, without rubbing, and apply something cold wrapped in a cloth. Avoid home remedies. If the pain is strong or you feel faint, tell the lifeguard or call 112.

How can I tell if the sea will be rough at the beach?

Check AEMET's forecast and warnings and look at the wind: a northerly tramontana makes the north coast rough, an easterly levante the east coast. With a yellow or orange coastal warning, choose a sheltered beach on the opposite side of the island.

Updated in October 2026