Dorset Beach Safety Guide

Dorset coastline attracts thousands of visitors every year, including families that are not used to beaches and coastlines, every year hundreds of accidents could be prevented, if parents, guardians and trip leaders spent just a few  minutes studying beaches in the area they are about to visit!

Some of the beaches in Dorset are very safe for the very young and non swimmers to paddle in, others can be very dangerous even to the strongest of swimmers due to rips.

Some of the safer Beaches in Dorset include Lyme Regis Cobb Beach, West Bay, Weymouth, Bowleaze in Weymouth, Ringstead, Lulworth, Swanage, Shell Bay Studland and the beaches of Poole and Bournemouth. The majority of these have lifeguard cover or have shallow waters.

One Beach to avoid is Chesil this is more ideal for fishing and the wonderful coastal views, it is safer in some places, though has a tendancy to steep drop offs in the water and strong under currents (RIPS) Parts of these fantastic beach are safer West Bay, Portland Cove and some stronger swimmers swim at West Bexington and  Burton Bradstock Hive Beach. If in doubt about a beach ask for advice from Lifeguards and local residents.

KNOW YOUR BEACHES BEFORE ALLOWING YOUR FAMILY TO RUN STRAIGHT INTO A POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SEA!

1. NEVER SWIM ON A BEACH WITH A RED FLAG FLYING
2. NEVER USE AN INFLATABLE ON A BEACH WITH AN ORANGE WIND SOCK FLAG FLYING
3. NEVER SWIM IN AN AREA WITH BLACK AND WHITE CHEQUERED FLAGS THIS IS A WATERSPORT ZONE
4. ALWAYS SWIM BETWEEN RED AND YELLOW STRIPED FLAGS
5. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN OR NON/POOR SWIMMERS INTO THE SEA ALONE

Before you get in the water
1: Spot any dangers by checking out the beach when you arrive. Be aware of physical hazards such as rocks, piers, groynes and breakwaters.
2: Look for undertow currents and dangerous rip currents. If you're unsure, ask the Lifeguard.
3: Don't swim alone, it's safer with a friend, and try to make sure there are other people around - You never know when help might be needed.
4: Take safety advice, and aim to swim where there is a Lifeguard on patrol - Look for zoned swimming areas, marked by Red and Yellow flags.
5: Look out for safety information, warning signs and flags. NEVER swim where a sign says not to, or when a Red flag is flying.

For a safe day at the beach: Remember F L A G S
Find the Red and Yellow flags flags, and swim between them.
Look at the safety signs.
Ask a lifeguard for advice about where it's safe to swim.
Get a friend to swim with you.
Stick your hand in the air and shout for help if in difficulty.

Rip Currents
These are dangerous, a rip can drag you out to sea!
A rip can often be seen by traces of swirling dirty water (sandy) on the surface or patches of white moving water when the rest of the sea is flat and calm, another way to check rips is look for what looks like foaming water on the surface or debris floating away from the shore out to sea!

If ever in doubt dont swim seek the advice of a lifeguard and if there are none around ask local residents in shops kiosks and on the beach for there opinion local residents usually know what is and is not a safe beach!

Please note: All of the information supplied by this guide was correct at the time of publishing, contact details are provided where possible throughout the guide, so please contact them before arranging your trip.