Although wind strength is expected to ease starting today, Wednesday 30th July, beachgoers are being urged to remain cautious.

According to local weather platform Temp Madwarna, it is still unsafe to swim in beaches exposed to waves, particularly due to ongoing rough sea conditions and the presence of rip currents.

In fact, the Malta Red Cross marked Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha with a red flag and as high hazard. 

But what exactly is a rip current? A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that flows from the shore back into the sea. These invisible hazards can form when waves break strongly in some spots and weakly in others, creating a funnel-like effect.

The current moves perpendicular to the beach and can reach speeds of up to 2.4 metres per second...faster than an Olympic swimmer.

Rip currents are often tricky to spot, sometimes appearing as darker, calmer gaps between breaking waves.

If you ever get caught in a rip current, the most important thing is to stay calm. Don’t fight the current - instead, swim parallel to the shore to escape it, and then return to land at an angle. If you see someone struggling in a rip current, alert lifeguards or call for help. Do not attempt a rescue unless you are trained to do so.

With summer in full swing, always stay informed and swim safely.

Have you ever experienced a rip current while swimming in Malta?