Beach flag colour codes for safety
Most Costa Brava beaches have lifeguards on duty from June to September, though exact dates may vary by municipality. Usually, they’re on duty from around 10:00 to 19:00, though this may vary slightly by location.
With the lifeguards come the beach flags. If you’re not familiar with the colour-coded flag system used on Spanish beaches to indicate swimming conditions, here’s a quick guide:
Green flag
Indicates it’s safe to swim – go ahead!
Yellow flag
Swimming is permitted, but caution is recommended. It’s advisable to remain near the lifeguard area.
Red flag
Means no swimming – better head to the xiringuito for a beer instead.
Black flag
This indicates the beach is unsafe. Fortunately, such incidents are seldom seen on La Costa Brava.
White flag with jellyfish
Means jellyfish are around today. In Catalan and Spanish, jellyfish are called medusas — named after the snake-haired figure from Greek mythology.
Jellyfish are usually not a major problem on La Costa Brava, but they do appear from time to time, especially during periods of heat or changing sea conditions. If only a few are present, lifeguards will often raise a yellow flag instead.
If you do see a jellyfish warning flag, it’s best to stay cautious or simply head to the xiringuito for a drink instead.
Blue beach flag
A blue flag represents something different. It’s an international environmental award for beaches and marinas that meet standards in water quality, safety, accessibility, environmental management and services.
The programme operates in dozens of countries worldwide and is one of the best-known coastal quality labels in Europe.
Spain continues to lead the world in Blue Flag beaches. In 2026, the country received 677 beach awards, alongside 111 marinas and 6 tourist boats.
Catalunya received 118 Blue Flags this year, including 101 beaches and 24 ports. Within the Girona region, 27 beaches and 9 ports received the distinction.
Among Spain’s autonomous communities, the Valencia region once again recorded the highest number of Blue Flags in 2026, followed by Andalusia, Galicia and Catalunya.
Below is the complete list of Blue Flag beaches on La Costa Brava, grouped by municipality. For a wider overview, the official Blue Flag website also provides an interactive map of recognised beaches across Spain.
List of blue flag beaches (2026)
Blue Flag ports
- L’Estartit: Club Nàutic L’Estartit
- Begur: Club Nàutic Aiguablava
- Palamós: Marina Palamós
- Platja d’Aro: Club Nàutic Port d’Aro
Alt Empordà
- Llançà: Grifeu, Port de Llançà
- Castelló d’Empúries: Empuriabrava
Baix Empordà
- Torroella de Montgrí: Cala Montgó
- Palafrugell: Tamariu, Llafranc, Canadell
- Palamós: La Fosca
- Calonge i Sant Antoni: Es Monestrí, Sant Antoni, Torre Valentina, Cala Cristus – Ses Torretes
- Castell-Platja d’Aro: Cala Rovira, Platja Gran, Sa Conca
- Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Sant Pol, Sant Feliu
La Selva
- Blanes: Blanes, S’Abanell, Sant Francesc
- • Lloret de Mar: Cala Canyelles, Fenals, Lloret, Sa Boadella, Santa Cristina
- Tossa de Mar: Platja Gran, Mar Menuda
Know before you swim
The Costa Brava offers everything from long family beaches to small coves hidden between cliffs. But whatever kind of beach you prefer, always check the beach flags before entering the water.
Sea conditions can change quickly, especially during strong winds or rough weather, and dangerous currents are not always visible from the shore. Every summer, accidents and drownings still occur along the Catalan coast, often because warning flags are ignored.
Some beaches also allow dogs during the summer months, though regulations vary by municipality and season. You can also find more information in our article about dog-friendly beaches on La Costa Brava.
Need a few ideas?
Have a look at our Best Baix Empordà Beaches article. With so many stunning beaches across the Costa Brava, we had to narrow it down — this time we’ve focused just on the Baix Empordà. Some fantastic beaches didn’t even make the list! But don’t worry, we’re working on a follow-up piece featuring the best beaches of the Alt Empordà. Stay tuned.
By the way…
If you see a red and yellow flag, don’t be confused; it’s not a beach flag at all! That’s just the official flag of the Comunitat Autònoma de Catalunya, and it’s the same one you’ll see flying outside Ajuntaments (Town Halls) around the region. It’s not the independentista flag, just the regular official one, called La Senyera. The independentista one is called the Estellada, but that’s a story for another day!