Beach and Surf Patrol have sent a beach flag status update today, June 9, 2024. Panama City beach flags are still Single Red with Purple. The flags first turned Purple/Red yesterday June 8, 2024. We’ve received several automated phone calls from Alert Bay since June 8, 2024 with a recorded message informing of the Purple over Single Red Flags.
Dangerous Marine Life May Be Present…Use Extreme Caution
Why are the flags purple?…Walton County Shark Attacks
The purple flag flying over Panama City Beach beaches means that dangerous marine wildlife has been spotted in the water. This flag indicates that you should swim at your own risk using extreme caution. Learn more about what “dangerous marine life ” (purple flag) in the water means.
On Friday, June 7th, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office ordered flags to double red due to several shark attacks reported in nearby Walton County. Officials said these flags were posted due to several reported shark attacks Friday afternoon in the waters of nearby Walton County.
Always remember that you have to check the actual flag at the beach before entering the water! Remember to always swim with caution and, an absence of flags DOES NOT mean the water is safe.
Depending on what end of the beach they start on, it can sometimes be a few hours before the flags are changed on this end of the beach.
More Beach Flag Resources
- Sign Up to Receive Text Alerts When the Beach Flag Changes
- Overview of the Beach Flag Warning System
- Check out the beach cam at Sandpiper Beacon…you can usually see the beach flag on the left side of the screen.
