includes:
Jellyfish (various species, some highly venomous)
Stingrays (buried in the sand)
Portuguese man o’ war (not a true jellyfish, but extremely painful)
Sea lice (tiny jellyfish larvae that cause itchy rashes)
Fire coral
Sea urchins
Weever fish (venomous spines)
Sharks (rare, but some beaches use purple for shark sightings)
Important: The purple flag does NOT mean the water is closed. You can still swim. But you should swim with extreme caution, keep your eyes open, and take protective measures.
What the Purple Flag Does NOT Mean
Let me clear up common misconceptions.
It does NOT mean the water is polluted.
It does NOT mean there are dangerous currents (that’s red or yellow).
It does NOT mean the beach is closed.
It does NOT mean there are alligators or crocodiles (that would be a different warning system).
The purple flag is specific to marine pests—stinging, biting, or venomous sea life.
