• Beach walkway to white sandy beach and bluegreen waters

    Gulf Islands

    National Seashore FL,MS

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Partial Closure on Horn Island

    Small portion of Horn Island, Mississippi, closed to entry due to discovery of asbestos and possible other bio hazards. Click on more for map and press release. More »

  • Park Closures

    Restrooms, and Visitor Center closures due to the impact of Seqestration. More »

Swimming

A national park lifeguard stands at the lifeguard tower while two safety flags fly in the wind. 

A National Park Service lifeguard watches visitors in the Gulf of Mexico.

nps photo

Because of the miles of shoreline and water access, opportunities to swim throughout the Seashore are numerous. However, it is better to swim in lifeguarded or designated swim beaches that are located at Johnson Beach, Langdon Beach, Opal Beach and Perdido Key Area in Florida and at West Ship Island in Mississippi.

Season for Lifeguards will end in September. For information on times please call 850-232-5883.

Lifeguards' Safety Tips:

Learn to swim.

Watch for beach safety flags and heed the warnings. During lifeguard season call 850-934-2600 for current Florida District flag conditions at Opal Beach, Langdon Beach, and Perdido Key Beach after 10:00 A.M.

  • Red over Red (two flags flying): Water closed to the public.
  • Red: High hazard, high surf and/or strong currents.
  • Yellow: Medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents.
  • Green: Low hazard, calm conditions, exercise caution.
  • Purple: Dangerous marine life.

Swim near a lifeguard.

Never swim alone.

Parents should always watch their children.

No Diving. Sandbars can be shallow. Feet first first time!

If you are in trouble, call or wave for help.

Follow all rules and regulations of lifeguard or local beach patrols.

Please No glass containers at the beach.

Junior Lifeguard is offered in the summer months, for more information please call 850-916-5634.

Additional Water Safety Tips

  • Rip Currents Rip Currents

    Break the grip Read More

  • Sun exposure Sun exposure

    Protect yourself

  • Rip Currents Rip Currents

    WebRangers on Rip Currents Read More

Did You Know?

The arches at Fort Massachusetts are made of red and tan bricks.

Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Massachusetts, on West Ship Island 12 miles off the Mississippi coastline, was covered by the 30-foot storm surge from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.  The fort has been reopened to the public.