Ocean Safety Tips for Families Visiting the Jersey Shore

May 15

The Jersey Shore is calling—the beach, sun, surf, and unforgettable summer memories are all waiting for your family. At Shore Swim, we aim to give your family a fun water safety boost. We send instructors to you—whether you're in Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May, or Sea Isle City.

For many families with little ones, the beach day is both the highlight and a stressful part the of the trip. Our goal is to help you build confidence in your kids skills and abilities so you can have a safe fun trip. For water safety month, take a few moments to review these safety tips.

At Shore Swim School, we specialize in helping families bridge pool confidence into real-world water safety. If your child is enrolled in swim lessons in Cape May County this summer—or if you’re simply preparing for your beach vacation—these essential ocean safety tips for kids and families will help you stay safe while enjoying the waves. (For information about swimming with us visit www.shoreswimschool.com/registration-form

1. Swim Smart, Right from the Start

Ocean swimming is different from the pool. Swimming safely at the beach starts with smart habits:

Always swim with a buddy—never alone. Young children should always stay within arm’s reach of a trusted adult.
Choose beaches with lifeguards. Designated swim zones are monitored by professionals who understand local currents and hazards.
Know the flag system before entering the water:
🟥 Red = High hazard
🟨 Yellow = Moderate hazard
🟩 Green = Low hazard
⛔ Double red = Water closed

Pro Tip: When in doubt, ask the lifeguard. Teach your kids they’re the people in red. Practice and model talking to them and asking them about conditions. They’re your best resource for up-to-the-minute beach conditions.

Learn more from the American Red Cross on Beach and Ocean Safety →

2. Understand the Ocean is Different Than the Pool

The ocean adds a lot of new factors. It’s new less predictable environmental, the surface is less stable which adds more sensory challenges:

Waves can knock swimmers over or disorient them
Rip currents and longshore currents can pull swimmers away from shore
Tides can change quickly, altering water depth and strength
Unexpected marine life (like jellyfish) can startle kids
The ocean floor may drop off or hide sharp objects

At Shore Swim, we use play-based ocean safety education to help kids build stamina, recognize unsafe situations, and respond to these new variables with confidence. We teach water safety and work on skills like treading water, swimming choppy water, and jumping in and pushing off the bottom of the pool.

Explore Rip Currents - Currents: NOAA's National Ocean Service Education

3. Be Rip Current Ready

Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that can sweep even strong swimmers out to sea. But with the right knowledge, they’re manageable.

How to Spot a Rip Current:

A calm-looking path between breaking waves
Foamy or choppy water moving away from shore
A gap or break in the wave pattern

If You’re Caught in a Rip:

Stay calm. Don’t panic.
Don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current, then return safely.
If unable to escape, float or tread water and wave for help.

Learn more from Safe Kids Worldwide →

4. Practice Sun & Sand Safety

Ocean safety also includes sun safety. While swim lessons help build strength and confidence, that’s only one part of the equation. Next time you’re at the beach, model how to for hot weather hazards like hot sand and model how to use hats, sunscreen, and sun shades, in hot weather.

Apply reef-safe sunscreen and dress kids in UPF 50+ swimwear
Wear sunscreen even on overcast days
Keep kids hydrated and take breaks in the shade
Use bright swimwear (like neon yellow or pink) for high visibility in the surf
Protect feet with sandals on hot sand and avoid digging deep holes

Bright swimsuits aren’t just cute—they help lifeguards and parents spot kids quickly in water.

5. Gear Up for Confidence and Comfort

Even confident swimmers benefit from extra gear in the ocean:

Avoid open water without 1:1 supervision, until kids are confident swimmers
Life jackets (USCG-approved) are a must for weak swimmers or boating activities.
If you’re outnumbered by little ones, safety must come before recreation. Use a hose or a go to the splash pad, if you don’t have the bandwidth to supervise
Teach kids to check conditions before jumping in the water. If in doubt, don’t get in
Designate a water watcher, rotate, and take breaks as needed (distraction free no phones, no backs to the water)
Build stamina with a refresher lesson or an at home swim camp. Want to learn more? Click here to view our swim services.

Bridging Pool Skills to Ocean Confidence

Through our mobile swim lessons, your child is already learning to:

Float independently
Safely enter and exit water
Develop stamina, strong kicks, and a toolbox of water safety skills.

We take those essential skills further with ocean-specific training, like:

Wave handling and ocean entries
Treading water in dynamic surf
Reading the water for changing tides and currents

Swimming in the ocean is a powerful experience—and we’re here to make sure it’s a safe one.

Trusted Water Safety Resources

American Red Cross: Beach and Ocean Safety
Safe Kids Worldwide: Swimming Safety Tips | Safe Kids Worldwide
NOAA National Ocean Service: Rip Currents - Currents: NOAA's National Ocean Service Education
Ready to Swim Smarter This Summer?
Whether you’re searching for private swim lessons, infant swim classes, or 1-on-1 adult swim instruction, Shore Swim School delivers expert coaching right to your home, vacation rental, or community pool.
We proudly serve families across Cape May County—including Stone Harbor, Avalon, Cape May, Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Ocean City, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest—as well as inland communities like Villas, Rio Grande, Erma, Dennis Township, Middle Township, Lower Township, and Upper Township.
Our mobile swim school makes it fun and easy for all ages to build water safety and confidence. Book today and discover why Shore Swim School is the Jersey Shore’s trusted choice for personalized, at-home swim lessons.