The City of Carlsbad Lifeguard Program is a public safety service operated and managed by the Carlsbad Fire Department. The Marine Safety Division was established in 2017 and serves an area called "North Beach," a previously unguarded 1-mile stretch of beach. Carlsbad beaches to the south including Tamarack and South Ponto, along with the campgrounds are operated and managed by the State.

The goal and mission of the Carlsbad Lifeguard Program is to maintain public safety along city beaches and provide public education about beach and ocean safety.

The program is led by the Carlsbad Fire Department’s Special Operations Division Chief, alongside two full-time Paramedic Lifeguard Lieutenants who oversee daily operations and the staffing of four lifeguard towers, two lifeguard trucks, two rescue watercraft, one lifeguard utility vehicle and staffing of a joint police/fire rescue boat on Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

 Four lifeguard towers are seasonally staffed from spring through October and are typically located at the following sites:

• Tower 1 – Located at “The Point” or the northern most border with Oceanside
• Tower 2 – Located at the Army Navy Academy
• Tower 3 – Located near Beech Street
• Tower 4 – Located at Carlsbad Village Drive 

However, tower locations may be adjusted due to weather and environmental conditions.

The Carlsbad Lifeguard Program offers advanced life support level of care on the beach provided by paramedic lifeguards. This higher level of emergency medical training ensures that patients on the beach or in the water have access to an expanded scope of medical services within a shortened response window.

Four lifeguard towers are seasonally staffed from spring through October and are typically located at the following sites:

• Tower 1 – Located at “The Point” or the northern most border with Oceanside
• Tower 2 – Located at the Army Navy Academy
• Tower 3 – Located near Beech Street
• Tower 4 – Located at Carlsbad Village Drive 

However, tower locations may be adjusted due to weather and environmental conditions.

Visit our Beach Safety page for a map of our tower locations and public restrooms, along with the local surf report and other educational resources. 

Hours of operation

Carlsbad Lifeguards provide year-round staffing during daytime hours and offers after-hours response capability. The number of lifeguards on duty varies with the seasons and weather conditions.