Safe Seas & Sandy Toes: Beach Flags, Jellyfish & Sun-Care

Mallorca, the crown jewel of the Balearic Islands, is renowned for its breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear seas. Whether you're sunbathing on the golden sands or diving into the azure waters, understanding beach safety is crucial. This guide will walk you through essential beach safety protocols, including the meaning of beach flags, jellyfish awareness, and sun-care tips, while highlighting eight of Mallorca’s most enchanting beaches.

Flag Colors & Their Meanings

Understanding beach flags is key to ensuring your safety while enjoying Mallorca's beaches:

Green Flag: Indicates that the water is safe for swimming, with no significant hazards present.
Yellow Flag: Caution is advised. There might be strong currents or weather conditions that require swimmers to be more vigilant.
Red Flag: No swimming is allowed. Dangerous conditions make entering the water unsafe.
Black Flag: The beach is closed, often due to severe weather or hazardous conditions.

Lifeguard Beach Flags

Jellyfish Monitoring and Awareness

Stay informed about jellyfish activity with the MedusApp, which provides real-time jellyfish sighting updates. Additionally, a daily jellyfish heat-map widget is available to help you plan your beach day around potential jellyfish encounters. If you encounter jellyfish, remember:

They don't make good pets.
If stung, rinse with seawater, not fresh water, and seek medical assistance if necessary.

Jellyfish Safety

Sun-Care and Protection

To protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays and preserve the natural beauty of Mallorca's beaches:

Umbrellas and more: Many beaches have lounge chairs and tiki-style permament umbrellas for rent (20-25 Euros for two chairs and umbrellas). A few beach vendors will sell umbrellas and hats for 10-20 Euros, or rent Umbrellas for 5 Euros. Other beach vendors sell water, beer, mix drinks, and offer massages.
Sunscreen Etiquette: Avoid using spray sunscreens on crowded dunes to prevent environmental damage. Opt for reef-safe brands to protect marine life.
Application Tips: Use a high SPF sunscreen, reapply every two hours, and wear a hat and sunglasses for added protection.

Lifeguard Services

Lifeguard services are available from 11:00 to 18:00, May through October, with SOS towers strategically positioned on popular beaches to ensure your safety.