GALVESTON, Texas -- With many students on spring break this week, the Galveston County Beach Patrol has been busy, and authorities are warning people to swim with caution, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Galveston officials said warmer temperatures have drawn more tourists to the island over spring break in comparison to the last four years, and that the increased traffic has kept the Galveston County Beach Patrol busy.

Since Saturday, beach patrol officials said they have issued more than 700 warnings asking swimmers to stay away from jetties where the rip tides are strong, and have rescued seven swimmers. One swimmer nearly drowned.

Beach patrol officials said parents should stay near children when they are swimming in the Gulf.

"The kids want to get in the water, and mom and dad don't want to get in the water with them because it's too cold. Of course, that doesn't bother the kids too much. But, we want to make sure that if your kids are going to go in the water, please go in with them," Vic Maceo, of the Galveston County Sheriff's Department Beach Patrol, told KPRC Local 2.

Wednesday's winds provided perfect conditions for surfing, but also created strong currents.

"The waves have been really nice. For Galveston, you don't usually get nice waves. It's good to enjoy them while they are here," surfer Kyle Seeley said.

While the weather conditions last, beach patrollers advise beach-goers to obey all signs and warnings. Beach patrol officials recommend swimmers take the following precautions when swimming in the Gulf of Mexico:

Swim sober.
Obey warnings signs and flags.
Stay away from rip currents, rock jetties and piers.
Never swim alone, and parents should always accompany children.

KPRC Local 2 reported that it is too early in the season for lifeguards to be stationed along the beach to keep an eye on swimmers, but officials said beach patrol authorities are monitoring the water and beaches in mobile patrol units.