City of Fort Lauderdale - Ocean Rescue
City of Fort Lauderdale - Ocean Rescue
Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Tower
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Ocean Rescue

Committed to Ensuring Public Safety on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Lifeguard TowerFort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue is committed to helping you have a safe and enjoyable visit at our world-famous beach.

Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue supervises three miles of continuous public beach from the South Beach Picnic Area up to and including the beach in front of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. In the guarded areas of the beach, there are 20 year-round, permanently staffed lifeguard towers spaced between 200 and 400 yards apart. There are also as many as 10 temporary-auxiliary stands that are used during the peak season, special events and holidays. The lifeguard towers are staffed from 9:45 am to 5:00 pm daily.

In the lifeguard-supervised areas of Fort Lauderdale Beach, drowning is rare. Most water-related fatalities occur in unsupervised waters distant from lifeguard towers.

Accident prevention is the key to your safety. This web site will help you become “Ocean Smart” with important tips that experienced ocean swimmers as well as leisurely beachgoers need to know.

You will also learn about Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, proudly serving Greater Fort Lauderdale and our visitors since 1926.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Conditions

CURRENT CONDITIONS AT FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH

Date/Time:

7:40 A.M. Saturday, July 4nd, 2009

Weather Forecast:

Mostly sunny in the morning hours with a possibility of showers and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 88 to 92. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Current Weather:

Mostly sunny; Temperature: 80°. Wind: SSW 6 MPH

Marine Forecast:

Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet near shore and up to 2 to 4 feet well offshore. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Winds and seas higher in possible showers and scattered thunderstorms.

Ocean Water Conditions:

2-feet or less.

Intracoastal Water Conditions:

Light chop.

Air Temperature:

77-92°

Water Temperature (Ocean):

83°

High Tide:

6:32 a.m.

Low Tide:

12:49 p.m.

Wind Direction/Speed:

ssw 6 mph.

Sea Pests:

None at this time.

Current Warning Flags:

Green flags for low hazard bathing. Remember to seek shelter outside the beach in the event there is lightning in the area. Please remember that the beach is an alcohol-free recreational area for your safety. Thank you, and have a safe day! Lt. Allen Reed

Remember that ocean conditions can change quickly. Check with the lifeguard on duty if you are unsure of safe conditions. Swim only in front of a lifeguard-protected area; the ocean is always potentially hazardous.

  • You can also call the Beach Conditions Hotline anytime at 954-828-4597 (updated daily).
  • See the Fort Lauderdale Beach Live Beach Webcams (courtesy of www.sunny.org).

Beach Warning Flag Meanings

Green Flag - Low Hazard

GREEN FLAG - Low Hazard: Conditions are calm; normal care and caution should be exercised.

Yellow Flag - Moderately Hazardous

YELLOW FLAG - Moderately Hazardous Conditions: Moderate currents and/or surf are present; use extra care.

Red Flag - Very Hazardous

RED FLAG - Very Hazardous Conditions: Rough surf and/or strong currents exist; swimmers are strongly discouraged from entering the water.

Double Red Flag - Beach Closed
Double Red Flag - Beach Closed

DOUBLE-RED FLAG - Closed to the Public: The water and/or beach are closed to the public due to severe currents and/or surf, water pollution, the threat of lightning, or the presence of predatory fish.

Purple Flag - Marine Pests

PURPLE FLAG - Marine Pests: Jellyfish, man-of-wars, and/or sea lice are present. This flag may be flown along with any of the other flags.

Tide Table

The Fort Lauderdale tide table for the current month is available online at http://waterfront-news.com/html/current_tide_table.htm.