Why You Might See A Purple Flag Flying At The Beach. The Hidden Warning Most People Ignore — And What It Says About Dangerous Marine Life

or reefs.

Stepping on one can leave painful spines embedded in the skin.

THE BIGGEST MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT PURPLE FLAGS

Many beachgoers misunderstand what the purple flag really means.

“It means the beach is dangerous.”

Not exactly.

It means a specific hazard is present — not that the entire ocean has become unsafe.

“If I can’t see anything, I’m probably continue reading …