Tourist Boat Tours Canceled In Los Cabos Due To Hurricane Hilary Threat 

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Last Updated 1 year ago

Los Cabos has been fortunate this year not to be in the direct path of any hurricanes, but it is feeling some effects from a storm that is currently out to sea.   

Hurricane Hilary, which was located about 400 miles south of Cabo San Lucas Friday morning, was upgraded to a Category 3 storm on Thursday afternoon and then to a Category 4 on Friday morning.   

Although it will not make landfall in the popular tourist destination, tourist boat tours have been canceled in Los Cabos due to the Hurricane Hilary threat.   

Port Closure In Los Cabos 

The Port of San Jose del Cabo was closed on Thursday at 7 p.m. to tourist activities, including boat tours and other water-related activities.   

The announcement came from the Secretariat of the Navy along with the statement that the port was being closed “In order to safeguard Human Life at Sea, the Safety of Ships, as well as Port Infrastructure.”   

No timeframe was given regarding when the port would reopen. 

Early Friday, Hilary was centered about 400 miles (640 kilometers) south of Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. https://t.co/2rnJfF62dt

— WTOK-TV (@WTOKTV) August 18, 2023

Conditions In Los Cabos Due To The Storm 

According to Los Cabos officials, conditions were still normal during the early part of Thursday but began worsening by the afternoon.   

One official stated that “The sea conditions were maintained normally on the beaches of Los Cabos, Thursday, but already entering the afternoon-night you began to feel the entrance of the tide and high waves and strong winds.”   

At the time of the port closure, though the winds were not exceptionally high, waves of 6-8 feet were being reported.   

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@shahzadahjanaan Hurricane hilllary arriving in Cabo. Follow me as i document the hurrixane #hurricane #hurricanehillary #cabo #mexico ♬ Emergency Alarm (Remastered 2015) – Bepo

Other Safety Measures Being Taken By Los Cabos Officials  

The closure of the Port of San Jose del Cabo, as well as the area’s beaches, are not the only safety measure being taken due to Hurricane Hilary.   

The “Marine Plan,” a preventive plan used to minimize the effects of weather caused by the storm, was put into action by the Los Cabos’ Second Naval Zone as well.   

In response to the activation of the plan, officials commented that “It should be noted that the Marine Plan in this phase contemplates the set of actions and mechanisms aimed at reducing risks, as well as avoiding or decreasing the effects of the destructive impact of probable or imminent disturbing phenomena that may affect the life and property of the population, the production plant, public services and the environment.” 

@vidalito.sv Devastating Category 4 Hurricane Hilary. Baja California #parati #foryou #fyp #category3hurricane #category4huuricane #loscabos #loscabossanlucas #hurrycane #bajacalifornia #riuparty #riuresort #tragedy #hurricanehilary #VozDosCriadores #screammovie ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya

The Formation Of Hurricane Hilary 

Hurricane Hilary formed as a Tropical Storm on the morning of Wednesday, August 16.   

It was quickly upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.   

At this time, winds shifted from tropical storm level, which is between 39-73 mph, to hurricane level, which is 74-95 mph.   

@huracanes_tormentas 17/Ago./2023 10:30a.m. No.4 Huracán categoría 1 Hilary:El centro del huracán Hilary se ubica a 540km al Suroeste de Manzanillo, Colima, continúa fortaleciéndose y organizándose rápidamente.Se mantienen vigilancias y advertencias de tormenta tropical para ciudades de Baja California Sur. Vigilancias de tormenta tropical: 1.La paz Advertencias de tormenta tropical: 1.Cabo San Lucas 2.Puerto San Carlos Se mantiene el pronostico de lluvias,rachas de viento y oleaje elevado para las costas de Guerrero,Michoacán,Colima y Jalisco. Vientos:137km/h Rachas:169km/h Presión:980hPa Movimiento:WNW a 23km/h Trayectoria:Baja California Sur. #Huracán #Hilary #Océano #Pacífico #México #Guerrero #Michoacán #Colima #Jalisco #BajaCaliforniaSur #NHC #NOAA #SMN #Conagua #Windy #Viento #Lluvia ♬ Beach Waves Sounds – Ocean Sounds & Sea Waves Sounds & Ocean Waves

Hurricane Hilary’s Path 

What has become a powerful Category 4 storm formed off of the coast of southern Mexico and continued on a path north parallel to the coast.   

Its current trajectory shows the storm continuing on this path as it passes by the Los Cabos area and the rest of the Baja Peninsula.   

It’s projected to make a rare landfall in California as a tropical storm.  

@locoweaweather Huracan Hilary#ultimo Boletin! #huracan #hurricane #hilary #hurricanehilary #pacifico #tropical #tormenta #pronostico #weather #clima #loscabos #bajacaliforniasur #mexico #alerta ♬ Siren – Filip Lackovic

Los Cabos 2023 Hurricane Season 

The Hurricane Season in Los Cabos runs from mid-May through November, but storms rarely have a major impact on the vacation destination.   

This year was predicted to be an especially active year due to El Niño, but has not been as of yet.   

So far this year, Hurricane Hilary is the first storm to affect Los Cabos directly.   

@cabolife Its always nice to have a little bit of rain in Cabo, especially for all the plants and wildlife. Just need to wait for it to pass and watch eveything turn green and back life! #hurricaneseason #cabolife #cabosanlucas #stormsurge ♬ Riders on the Storm – The Doors

Tips For Tourists Visiting Los Cabos During A Storm 

Tourists visiting Los Cabos during a hurricane should stay informed by communicating with hotel staff and listening to local updates.   

Visitors should also anticipate the closing of beaches and ports, as in this case.   

These areas should be avoided until officials reopen them.