I have not heard of any drowning's this long time I will take that as good news ...colleen

How sad there have been more drownings. Last year on Candolim beach I saw the body of an Indian being bought to the beach having been drowned, apparently been in the sea for couple of days and been tracked, it was an older Englishman that swam out to bring the body in- Looked like he was nearly going to be another vicitm of the sea!
I think everyone has a responsibility to know their limitations, the current is strong and variable, just go for a dip an cool down within your safety zone.

This is an older thread. I haven't read of any so far (touch wood).

The current it strong. I only swim out a little then catch a wave back to the shore. You dont want to be going out past your depth.

THanks Gemma,

Are there red flags flying whenever the conditions are bad. I would hate to think that I wouldn't be able to swim in the sea at all but how will we know if it's a dangerous time?

in Benaulim, the red flags fly all day every day, so it could mean a constant danger

You will be fine swimming just dont go far out and make sure you're not getting slowly pulled with the current. From my experience

Palolem - Stays shallow for quite a while. Fairly decent waves for body boarding weak undercurrent
Little Vagator (by the shiva's head) Strong undercurrent. Dont go deap
Baga - Undercurrent but not as strong as Vagator. Dependent on weather
Arambol (near fresh water lake) Strong Undercurrent

They fly the red/yellow flags for the safe, or patrolled areas and red flags mainly to indicate possible death by jetski !! They dont move the safe areas around dependant on the wind or tide, as in the likes of OZ, but just leave them the same place all the time. Anyway as noted on the Lifeguard post elsewhere, the Goverment has'nt paid the lifeguard company, so the lifeguards have been withdrawn, so it's back to drowning as usual, I'm afraid Alan

We will possibly be staying in Candolim or Calangute. Do either of these have safe areas of beach/sea . Thanks

Coco beach is probably the safest for swimming, unless the tide is out and then all you'll be able to do is paddle! It's just not the nicest beach as it is part of the river estuary and has erroded in recent years. It's not far by taxi from Candolim, Calangute and Baga.