By Solomon Wiesen, TLV Beaches. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: A white flag means swimming is allowed. A red flag means the sea is somewhat dangerous, and swimming is allowed only in the area between the red flags. A black flag means no swimming at all. A purple flag warns of jellyfish. The flag is flown by the lifeguard station in front of you, so check it before you get in, because conditions can differ from one beach to the next.
Short on time? Find your beach in 15 seconds with the beach finder, then check the flag when you arrive.
What each Tel Aviv beach flag means
| Flag | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| White | Swimming is allowed. | Swim in front of the lifeguard station and keep the tower in sight. |
| Red | The sea is somewhat dangerous. Swimming is allowed only between the red flags. | Stay inside the marked area. Keep children and weak swimmers out of the water. |
| Black | Swimming is not allowed. | Stay out of the water. Sunbathe, walk the shoreline, or come back when the flag changes. |
| Purple | Jellyfish warning. | Ask the lifeguard what is in the water today. If you swim, watch for jellyfish and keep children close. |
These colors come from the guidance Israel publishes for visitors to Tel Aviv’s beaches, where each lifeguard station marks the condition of the sea with flags. Always follow what the lifeguard tells you, even if it differs from the flag.
Two rules that matter more than the colors
- No lifeguard, no swimming. The city prohibits bathing when there is no lifeguard on duty. In 2026 the lifeguard season ran from 25 March to 10 October, from 07:15 until late afternoon. Outside those dates and hours, nobody is marking conditions, so stay out of the sea.
- A black flag ends the discussion. Bathing is prohibited when the black flag is raised. Strong currents and high waves can build quickly, and the lifeguards will tell you to leave the water.
The purple flag and jellyfish
The purple flag is the one visitors are least likely to recognize. The city uses it to warn of jellyfish, which are most common in summer and can leave painful stings. Jellyfish also wash up on the sand, so keep children away from them even when you are not swimming. Our jellyfish guide has the Ministry of Health’s first aid steps.
How to check conditions before you get in
- Find the lifeguard tower closest to where you want to swim.
- Look at the flag flying there. Flags can differ between neighboring beaches.
- If the flag is red or purple, ask the lifeguard where the safe area is and what is in the water.
- Swim in front of the tower, not on an empty stretch of beach.
Flags and children
A white flag does not replace supervision. Keep small children within arm’s reach in the water, agree on a meeting point at the lifeguard tower, and skip the sea entirely under red, black or purple flags. More on family beaches in our guide to Tel Aviv beaches with kids.
Related guides
FAQ
What does a black flag mean on a Tel Aviv beach?
Swimming is not allowed. Stay out of the water until the lifeguards change the flag.
Can I swim when the red flag is up?
Only between the red flags, in the area the lifeguards mark, and only if you are a confident swimmer. Keep children and weak swimmers on the sand.
What does the purple flag mean?
It warns of jellyfish. Ask the lifeguard what is in the water before you swim.
Are there flags when the lifeguards are off duty?
No. Flags are flown by the lifeguard stations, and the city prohibits bathing when there is no lifeguard on duty.
Which flag is safe for swimming?
White. Even then, swim in front of a staffed lifeguard station.
Sources: Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, beach guidelines; Israel Ministry of Tourism, Tel Aviv beaches.
Solomon Wiesen is the author and photographer behind TLV Beaches. Originally from New York, he moved to Israel in 2011 and has lived in Tel Aviv since, a short walk from Bograshov Beach. He works in marketing, SEO, and startups.
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