Benidorm beach safety: flags, lifeguards, fines and jellyfish

Key facts

The flags, and what happens if you ignore them

The flags fly from masts on the lifeguard towers. Under the ordinance there should be a flag about every 800 metres. Visit Benidorm lists six flag points on Levante, five on Poniente and one each at Mal Pas, Tío Ximo and Almadrava.

• Green: normal conditions.
• Yellow: caution. Waves, currents or something in the water. Stay in your depth and keep children close. The assisted-bathing service at the accessible points stops under a yellow flag.
• Red: swimming is banned. If you go in, lifeguards or police will order you out. If you refuse, they can report you, and the ordinance lists swimming under a red flag as a serious offence (€751–1,500).

Other offences in the same "serious" band include lighting fires or barbecues on the sand, leaving glass on the beach, spearfishing near swimmers, and deliberately getting in the way of the lifeguards. Minor offences carry fines up to €750. These include ball games that bother other people, using soap in the sea or showers, loud music and bringing animals.

The ordinance also bans swimming and diving in harbour entrances and channels. Swimming outside the buoyed bathing areas means you must make yourself visible, and the jet skis and boats use marked channels. Keep out of them.

Jellyfish and the Portuguese man o' war

Jellyfish turn up in Benidorm bay some summers, mostly in warm spells. The council runs a protocol for the Portuguese man o' war, which is the dangerous one. A blue, bubble-like float drifts on the surface, trailing long tentacles. In June 2019 two were spotted. The red flag and jellyfish flag went up on Levante and Poniente for about an hour, and on Mal Pas for just over two hours. Police and contractor boats swept the bay. Seven people were treated for mild stings, and five were sent to Villajoyosa hospital for checks, as the protocol requires. Swimming reopened with yellow and jellyfish flags.

If you're stung (Spanish Ministry of Health advice): - Get out of the water and go to the lifeguard or first-aid post. - Rinse the area with sea water or saline, without rubbing. - Never use fresh water. It makes the stinging cells fire. - Don't touch tentacles with bare hands. - For a man o' war sting, breathing difficulty or a child stung on a large area, call 112.

Currents, inflatables and rocks

Benidorm's bays are usually calm, but currents can build with wind and waves. Visit Benidorm's advice is to swim parallel to the shore so you don't drift too far out. If you are caught in a current, don't fight it by swimming straight back. The RNLI's advice is to float, keep calm, raise a hand and shout. Once the pull eases, swim across it and then back to shore. Lifeguard rescues around the UK coast are mostly from rip currents, and the same physics applies here.

Inflatables are the classic Benidorm hazard. An offshore breeze can carry a lilo or unicorn ring out across the bay faster than you can swim after it. Keep inflatables close to shore and never let children use them alone.

Rocks: at Mal Pas, Tío Ximo and Almadrava, check the depth before you jump in, wear sea shoes, and look out for sea urchins.

Sun and heat

Visit Benidorm advises sunscreen of SPF 15 or more, reapplied every two hours, and a hat and UV-rated sunglasses, especially between 12:00 and 16:00. Shade on the sand is either rented (€6 a parasol in 2026) or something you bring. For heat by month, see weather.

Who to call

• 112: all emergencies (ambulance, police, fire, sea rescue). Free from any phone.
• 603 822 132: Benidorm lifeguard and rescue service.
• 965 853 075: Local Police beach unit. 966 807 766: Local Police.
• 966 808 934: Red Cross.
• 966 907 200: Hospital Marina Baixa switchboard, Villajoyosa. See hospitals.
• 966 815 541: lost property.

Questions people ask

What do the flags mean on Benidorm beach?

Green means normal conditions and swimming is fine. Yellow means caution: stay in your depth and watch children. Red means swimming is banned. A jellyfish flag may fly with yellow or red when stingers are present. The flags are on the lifeguard towers, roughly every 800 metres.

Can you be fined for swimming under a red flag in Benidorm?

Yes. Benidorm's beach ordinance classes swimming under a red flag as a serious offence, punishable by €751 to €1,500. In practice, lifeguards and police order you out first. Refuse, and they can file a report that starts the fine process.

What time do lifeguards finish in Benidorm?

In 2026 it was 19:00 in June and 20:00 from July to September, starting at 10:00 and 09:00 respectively. At Easter it was 10:00–18:00. Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas have lifeguards all year, with fewer staff outside summer.

Are there jellyfish in Benidorm?

Sometimes, mainly in warm summer spells. When stingers are spotted, the lifeguards fly a jellyfish flag, and for a Portuguese man o' war they close the water with a red flag while boats sweep the bay. If you're stung, rinse with sea water, don't rub, and go to the first-aid post.

Is Benidorm beach safe for children?

Generally yes. Levante and Poniente are usually calm and have lifeguard towers, first-aid posts and play areas. The risks are sun, inflatables drifting offshore and losing sight of children in crowds. Agree a meeting point by a lifeguard tower.

What number do I call for an emergency on the beach?

1. It is free and works from any phone, including UK mobiles. Ask for English. You can also call Benidorm's lifeguard service on 603 822 132, or go to the nearest tower or first-aid post.