Beach season in Ashkelon: flags, lifeguards and safety rules

The flags at the lifeguard post indicate whether swimming is permitted: a white flag means calm seas, a red flag means rougher seas where swimming is still allowed (usually with extra caution), and a black flag means entering the water is fully prohibited. Before each season, lifeguards go through refresher training — first aid, physical fitness, and water-rescue drills.

Ashkelon's lifeguard stations are equipped with jet skis, rescue boards and first-aid equipment, with trained medical staff on duty at every station. It's worth checking the specific beach's current status on-site or with the municipality's lifeguards and beaches department on the day of your visit.

What to do if a beach's status isn't clear on site

• White flag — calm sea, swimming allowed
• Red flag — swimming allowed, but extra caution is advised
• Black flag — entering the water is prohibited

Before each swimming season, Ashkelon's lifeguards go through refresher training — first aid, fitness and water-rescue drills — and the lifeguard posts are equipped with jet skis and rescue boards. The official swimming season runs from 1 Iyar to 29 Tishrei, but a specific beach's status on a given day is best checked on site or with the municipality's lifeguards-and-beaches department — weather, for instance, can close a beach outside the seasonal window.