What the flags on the beaches mean

As well as there being a great number of free beaches on the Island of Elba, there are also many beaches with bathing establishments and rescue service with lifeguards ("Punto Blu" beaches).

The signal flags on these beaches are in fact the lifeguard's working tools that you should always take into consideration. In Italy two different colours of flags are used by lifeguards: yellow and red.

The Coast Guards' law concerning safety on the beach states that during the summer months (in Tuscany from June 15th to September 15th), bathing establishments must provide rescue service from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. From June 1st to June 14th and from September 16th to September 30th rescue service must always be available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Outwith these months when lifeguard service is not compulsory you will see a red flag flying.

At lunch time, from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. when there are less people at the beach  the the service is reduced, and this is when you see a yellow flagflying.

Before 9.00 a.m. and after 7.00 p.m. there is no lifeguard service at all, and this is when both the yellow and the red flags fly.

The red flag is to be considered a safety warning flag when swimming could be dangerous due to unexpected, temporary problems, for example when the water is dirty or the weather isn't good.

Useful phone numbers

If in need please phone:
First Aid 118
Emergency at sea 1530