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Beach Conditions in The Bradenton Gulf Islands
Follow Bradenton Area Beach Conditions
Get your sunscreen and beach towel ready! While a fun day is always around the corner in the Bradenton Area, it’s best to keep an eye on current beach conditions to ensure everyone has a fun and safe time. Whether you’re heading to Coquina and Holmes Beach for some family fun or looking for a tucked-away oasis like Bean Point, this page provides essential safety information and resources from local authorities to help you plan the perfect beach day with your family!
Today’s
Beach Report
Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key
Heading to the beach? Start your surfside adventures right with the most recent beach conditions updates from Safe Beach Day. They calculate safety by using information about current weather updates, surf, safety alerts, and beach conditions.
Beach Flags
Explained
Beach warning flags are an important safety system used to communicate current water conditions to beachgoers. Each flag color represents a specific level of hazard, such as the presence of rip currents, strong surf, or marine life. These beach flags are prominently displayed at lifeguard stands to help visitors make informed decisions and stay safe while enjoying the beach.
Click on each card to learn more.
Red Flag
Water Closed to Public
Red Flag
It’s best to stay on the sand and enjoy other beach activities. Swimming is not allowed due to dangerous conditions.
One Red Flag
High Hazard, High Surf and/or Strong Currents
One Red Flag
Stay on shore and avoid swimming. Strong currents can pull you out to sea, so enjoy the view or relax safely on the beach.
Yellow Flag
Medium Hazard, Moderate Surf and/or Currents
Yellow Flag
Swim with caution and stay close to shore. Keep an eye on children and weaker swimmers, and check for lifeguard stations nearby.
Green Flag
Low Hazard, Calm Conditions
Green Flag
Safe to swim, but always stay alert. Enjoy the water responsibly and keep an eye on changing conditions.
Purple Flag
Dangerous Marine Life
Purple Flag
Be cautious when entering the water—jellyfish or stingrays may be present. If unsure, check with lifeguards for updates and tips on how to stay safe.
Lifeguard Towers on Bradenton Area Beaches
Tower 1: Located at Manatee Beach.
Towers 2–11: Found at Coquina and Cortez Beach.
Total of 11 towers from Manatee Beach to Coquina Beach.
The beaches on the north end of Anna Maria Island, including areas like Bean Point and Bayfront Park Beach, do not have a lifeguard on duty, so be sure to exercise safety when visiting!
Lifeguards are on duty 365 days a year with extended summer holiday hours. The lifeguard tower is also where beach flags are displayed.
What are Rip Currents?
Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore. They’re dangerous, but knowing how to react can save lives.
If you see one:
Stay out of the water and alert a lifeguard.
If caught in one:
- Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current.
- Once out of the current, swim to the shore.
- Can’t escape? Float or tread water, and signal for help.
- For more tips, check with a lifeguard before swimming.
Marine Life Encounters
While visiting our beaches, you may encounter marine life, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, birds, and more that call our coasts their home. If you see a purple flag at the lifeguard station, it means that dangerous marine life, like certain species of jellyfish and stingrays. This flag is not intended to warn visitors of sharks. We encourage everyone who visits to appreciate and respect their natural habitats for your safety and theirs, so please refrain from feeding or interacting with any wildlife.
What’s Happening
Check out the latest and greatest in the Bradenton Area.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are more common in the summer. If stung, rinse with seawater, remove tentacles, and avoid fresh water. Seek help if symptoms worsen.
Stingrays
Stingray season peaks in summer. Avoid stings by doing the ‘stingray shuffle’—shuffle your feet in the sand to gently move stingrays away. If stung, rinse with warm water and seek medical attention.
Dolphins
Dolphins are active year-round and often seen swimming near the shore. Admire them from a distance, as feeding or approaching can disrupt their natural behavior.
Manatees
Manatees are most active in warmer months, often found in shallow, slow-moving waters. Observe from afar to protect their natural behavior and safety.
Sandpipers
Sandpipers are small birds often seen near the water. Admire them from afar, and don’t feed them as it disrupts their diet.
Sea Turtles
Sea turtle nesting season runs from May to October. Avoid disturbing marked nests, observe from a distance, and never touch the eggs. Admire these protected creatures without feeding or interacting to help preserve their habitat.
What To Know
Before Visiting Bradenton Area Beaches
Click on each card to learn more.
Public Beach Hours
Public Beach Hours
Our beaches are open from sunrise until 10 pm year-round, so you have plenty of time to enjoy our beaches!
Dune Protection
Dune Protection
We love our beaches, so maintaining the coastline is incredibly important! As such, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has implemented several initiatives, like planting sea oats, sand nourishment, and more. Dunes are essential to preserving our beaches, so it’s best not to walk on them.
Sand Holes
Sand Holes
Large sand holes can pose a danger to people and wildlife. They can injure beachgoers or trap wildlife, so we encourage visitors to fill large holes or notify the lifeguards or beach patrol.
Gentle Surf
Gentle Surf
The beaches in the Bradenton Area have very gentle surf, making them ideal for families with children or anyone looking for generally calm waters.
Protecting
our shores
Help keep the Bradenton Area beautiful for generations to come! Our sugar-white sand beaches, pristine waterways, and diverse wildlife are treasures worth preserving. By following our Love It Like a Local principles, you can play an active role in conservation, sustainability, and protecting the natural wonders of our community.
Here are a few simple ways to make a difference:
Don’t feed seagulls or other wildlife—it disrupts their natural behavior and can harm their health.
Leave no trace—dispose of trash properly and participate in local cleanup efforts.
Respect wildlife and habitats—admire marine life and nesting areas like sea turtle nests from a safe distance.
FAQs About Bradenton Area Beach Conditions & Safety
Where can I find beach warning flags on Anna Maria Island?
Beach flags are located on the lifeguard towers.
How can I report an emergency or unsafe beach conditions?
You can report unsafe conditions or an emergency to the lifeguard on duty, the Beach Patrol, at 941-744-3950 or 911.
What do I do if I see injured marine life?
If you see an injured animal, please don’t move it. Instead, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Southwest Regional Office at 863-648-3200 or a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.
Is it safe to visit the beach or swim after a storm or heavy rain?
It’s not recommended to swim after a storm or heavy rain, as the water conditions might not be as safe due to harmful bacteria brought from debris and wildlife. It’s best to wait for bacterial testing to show suitable levels that are safe for beachgoers.
What is the best time to visit Bradenton Gulf Islands for a beach vacation?
With sunny and year-round warm weather, the Bradenton Area is a great place for a beach vacation all year!