Red flags at 140 Baltic beaches amid high waves and rip currents
On Sunday, 5 July 2026, approximately 140 bathing sites along Poland's Baltic coast were closed to swimmers, with red flags warning of high waves and strong rip currents.
On Sunday, 5 July 2026, red flags prohibiting entry to the water were raised at approximately 140 bathing sites along Poland's Baltic Sea coast. The closures, reported by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate's Bathing Service, affected beaches in the West Pomeranian and Pomeranian voivodeships, including two sites in Gdańsk. High waves and strong rip currents created conditions that officials described as dangerous even for experienced swimmers.
Extent of the closures
The red flags spanned the entire Polish coastline. In West Pomerania, beaches from Świnoujście in the west to Jarosławiec in the east were closed, including popular resorts like Międzyzdroje, Dziwnów, Rewal, Kołobrzeg, and Darłowo. In Pomerania, the ban covered Ustka, Rowy, Łeba, Władysławowo, and the Hel Peninsula, among others. Within the Tricity area, Gdańsk's Orle and Świbno beaches were also off-limits. The full list is available on the GIS bathing service website.
Why swimming is banned
The primary hazards are high waves and rip currents, which can pull swimmers away from shore rapidly. These conditions developed over the weekend, with Saturday already seeing over 100 closures. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate warns that such sea states pose a risk to all bathers, regardless of swimming ability. No cyanobacteria-related closures were reported on Sunday; earlier in the week, algal blooms had temporarily shut down several sites in Gdańsk Bay.
A week of changing hazards
The current wave-driven closures follow a period of cyanobacteria alerts. On Thursday, 2 July, 11 bathing sites in Tricity were closed due to algal blooms. By Friday, that number had dropped to five, all in Gdańsk Bay. Saturday brought a shift: over 100 beaches were closed because of rough seas, and Sunday's count rose to about 140. The timeline illustrates how quickly conditions can change along the Baltic.
- 11 bathing sites closed in Tricity due to cyanobacteria bloom.
- 5 bathing sites closed in Gdańsk Bay due to cyanobacteria.
- Over 100 bathing sites closed due to high waves and rip currents.
- Approximately 140 bathing sites closed due to high waves and rip currents.
Staying safe
Authorities remind beachgoers that flag colors indicate water safety: a red flag means no swimming. Lifeguards' instructions must be followed at all times. Real-time status updates for every bathing site are published at https://sk.gis.gov.pl. The situation can evolve within hours, so checking the flag before entering the water is essential.
