Sun protection and beach safety in Sydney

Two everyday habits are worth adopting from your first day in Sydney:

• Sun protection. Australia has some of the highest levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world, and the Cancer Council says just 15 minutes of unprotected exposure when the UV Index is 3 or above is enough to start damaging your skin. It recommends sun protection whenever the UV Index reaches 3.
• Beaches have flags. On patrolled beaches, red and yellow flags mark where lifeguards are on duty, and you should swim between them.

Sun

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, and the Cancer Council estimates that more than 18,200 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2023. Sun protection is recommended whenever the UV Index is 3 or above. The Bureau of Meteorology issues sun protection times on those days, and the UV Index is shown in daily newspapers' weather pages, on the Bureau of Meteorology website and in the SunSmart app.

The five SunSmart steps are:

1. Slip on covering clothing.
2. Slop on SPF 50 or SPF 50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
3. Slap on a hat.
4. Seek shade.
5. Slide on some sunglasses.

Beaches

Surf Life Saving NSW advises swimming only between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards are on duty. If you get into trouble, stay calm, raise your arm to signal for help and float rather than fighting the current. Surf Life Saving NSW also warns about rip currents; for example, the southern end of Bondi Beach has a well-known rip. In an emergency call 000.

UV levels vary by season and time of day, so check the sun protection times in the daily forecast. Lifeguards are on duty between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches; choose those beaches, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.