Once on the beach, look for beach warning flags, often posted on or near a lifeguard's stand. A green flag means water conditions are safe and other colors mean conditions are not safe.
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To reduce your risk, don't swim too far from shore, stay in groups, avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight, don't go in the water if you are bleeding from a wound, leave shiny jewelry at home, and avoid brightly colored swimwear.
Scuba diving, remarkable beaches and whale watching abound, the coast of California is cherished by swimmers, divers and boaters alike. Catalina Island also has some of the most coveted beaches off the Southern Californian coast.
If the waves are 0-1 feet high (0-0.3 meters), the sea is “doable” and safe for swimming. If the surf height is 2-3 feet (0.8-1 meters), ocean conditions are questionable.
Many beaches are closed to swimmers because they aren't safe—steep ocean floor drop-offs close to shore create strong waves and undercurrents, making it dangerous to enter the water. These beaches are clearly marked with red flags, warning swimmers to stay away.
The Gulf Coast topped the charts with 84% of its beaches experiencing unsafe contamination at least once, while Alaska and Hawaii fared better with only 24% of their beaches affected. Credit: Environment America.