July has always been and continues to be the rainiest month in Poland. However, this year the weather situation seems to be exceptionally different from what we have been used to for the last few years. Strong winds, heavy rain and sporadic sunshine. The result is the appearance of red flags on many of the Baltic beaches.

This year's July can be described by those spending their holidays at the Polish seaside as exceptionally unstable. Admittedly, the beaches still enchant with their charming beauty, but those wishing to immerse themselves in the waves of the Baltic are currently unable to do so.

Red flag on bathing beaches

The red flag at the Polish seaside means one thing - an absolute ban on swimming. Contrary to popular belief, the red flag does not mean you can swim at your own risk - it is an unequivocal prohibition that must be strictly adhered to for your own sake and that of others. 

It is posted when bathing conditions become unsafe. Unsafe conditions means:

• visibility limited to 50 metres;
• wind speeds that exceed 5 degrees on the Beaufort scale;
• a water current exceeding 1 metre/second;
• contaminated water;
• low water temperature - that is, less than 14 degrees Celsius;
• lightning;
• other dangers, such as the presence of jellyfish.

Where are the red flags currently flying?

Unfavourable weather conditions and other factors have resulted in red flags being raised at many bathing sites along the Baltic Sea. The bathing ban is in force, among others, on the Vistula Spit at bathing sites in Kąty Rybackie, Krynica Morska, Sztutowo, Jantar, Stegna and Mikoszewo. However, these are not the only places where a ban has been introduced. It is also in force at Gdańsk's bathing sites - Świbno, Molo Brzeźno, Hallera, Dom Zdrojowy, Orle and Sobieszewo.

Red flags have been displayed on beaches in the northern part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. This means that tourists and residents cannot go swimming in the sea in, among others, Ustka, Łeba, Białogóra, Dębki, Chałupy, Chłapowo, Władysławowo and Jastrzębia Góra. Bathing sites in Western Pomerania are also closed due to strong waves - including Mielno, Świnoujście, Międzywodzie, Gaski, Łazy and Sarbinowo.