Staying Safe This Summer Season

Summer is heating up on the First Coast and with 42 miles of beaches and 216 square miles of inland waterways, St. Johns County is the ultimate destination to cool off. We’ve compiled a list of ways to stay safe this summer season – from swimming tips to getting out of a rip current to beach trip essentials, Davidson Realty has you covered.

Beach Day Essentials

When you’re getting ready for a day at the beach in St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra Beach, make sure to pack these beach day essentials:

• Sun Screen – Check out local surf shops like Aqua East Surf Shop, Pit Surf Shop and Surf Station. You might even be able to find Florida-based brands like Florida Squeezed, Vacation or the locally-made Sol Being line from Surf Stop in St. Augustine Beach, which offers Green Tea Lotion and Green Tea Soap.

• Water + Snacks – A day in the sun requires nourishment, so make sure to pack lots of snacks and fill up a few water bottles (freeze them overnight so they thaw throughout the day). Some of our favorite non-perishable treats to throw in your bag include granola bars, fruit strips and pretzels with a small container of peanut butter.

Beach + Water Safety Tips

St. Johns County Marine Rescue provides lifeguard coverage along several miles of coastline in our area from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, from the hours of 10am to 6pm – weather permitting, of course. When you head to the beach, you’ll notice colored flags that fly at the entrance. Each color heeds a different warning. Here’s what they mean:

• Red – High Hazard, high surf and/or strong currents
• Yellow – Medium Hazard, moderate surf and/or currents
• Green – Low Hazard, calm conditions, exercise caution
• Purple – Dangerous Marine Life spotted such as sharks, jellyfish and/or stingrays

The National Weather Service has reported that more deaths occur in Florida due to rip currents (roughly 25 per year) than any other weather-related event. You can easily spot a rip current by its foamy and choppy surface as well as dirty brown water, which is caused by the sand being turned up from the current. Remember! If you are caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip current or until help comes. Learn more here.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

In St. Johns County, sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and runs through October 31. This means that during the season, vehicular beach access gates will close at 7:30pm and reopen at 8am to allow nesting seas turtles to have a safe beach throughout the night. Sea turtles that can be found in Northeast Florida include Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley and Hawksbill.

Here are some additional ways that we can all help keep sea turtles safe:

• Stay off of the dunes and vegetation – only using designated walkovers.
• Fill in all holes and ruts on the beach and smooth down sandcastles.
• Remove all beach chairs, canopies and other items from the beach overnight.
• Do not use fireworks or open fires.
• Do not use flashlights or bright lights on the beach at night. Here are some additional Light Management Guidelines.

Whether you live in the area or are just planning a visit, make sure to stay safe this summer season. Northeast Florida is a special place to call home, with much to do, much to see and 42 miles of beautiful white, sandy beaches for adventure and relaxation. If you’re interested in calling our part of Florida home, Davidson Realty is here to help. Call us today at 904-940-5000 or email at info@davidsonrealtyinc.com.