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Authorities Advise Extreme Caution On Most Los Cabos Beaches Right Now

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Despite the high season, local authorities had to place yellow and red flags on some of Los Cabos beaches to protect tourists from the dangerous conditions of the ocean. 

Santa Maria Beach (Playa Santa Maria) in Los Cabos, Mexico

According to local news, the decision was taken by the ZOFEMAT, the Federal Maritime and Terrestrial Zone, due to the strong winds that characterized this municipality in the last few days.

Winds have recently reached a speed of 10 km/h and gusts are up to 32 km/h, creating dangerous water conditions. But which beaches are now closed to the public?

Which beaches should Los Cabos tourists avoid right now?

The beaches that should be avoided at all costs right now are La Palmilla, La Ribera, El Surgidero, as well as all the beaches located on the famous San José del Cabo Tourists Corridor, where most all-inclusive resorts are located. 

Red flag on a beach

This is obviously unfortunate but it’s important to remember that the vast majority of the properties located here are equipped with outdoor pools with ocean views to allow tourists to enjoy the water whenever the sea is not accessible.

All the beaches mentioned above have a red flag on their shore right now, meaning that tourists, even those who are extremely confident in their swimming skills, are severely prohibited from entering the water. 

The ZOFEMAT also placed yellow flags on some Los Cabos beaches to alert tourists. These indicate a general danger, and in their presence, visitors are allowed to enter the water while exercising extreme caution. 

yellow flag on a beach

Some of the beaches where yellow flags were raised in the last few hours are El Médano Beach, one of the most popular among tourists, Las Viudas, El Corsario, Acapulquito, Santa Haría, Hacienda, and El Chileno.

The ZOFEMAT is now urging all tourists to “follow the recommendations of the lifeguards and Civil Protection and take the necessary precautions for their protection and safety.”

What do flag colors indicate? 

Yellow flags, red flags, blue flags, white flags… There are so many different warning flags out there that it’s easy to get confused. 

A man approaches the sea at Santa Maria Beach in Los Cabos

This is why Los Cabos tourists are advised to write the meaning of the different colors down, to always know whether swimming is safe in a certain area. 

As we said earlier, yellow flags indicate a general danger. Swimming is allowed only while exercising extreme caution. 

Red flags, together with black flags, prohibit people from entering the water. The difference is that the latter also indicates a ban from accessing the shore. 

Aerial Image of couple standing on Playa de los Almantes in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico. Impressive rocky cliffs and crystal clear turquoise green water with white sand and waves

White flags are another negative sign. They indicate the presence of dangerous animals in the water. In most cases, when white flags are raised on a beach in Los Cabos, it means that jellyfish were found in the ocean.

Lastly, there are a few flags that bring good news. Green flags mean that it is safe to swim and practice all water sports, such as surfing. Blue flags, on the other hand, are an international certification given to beaches that have distinguished themselves for their cleanliness, high safety levels, and the services provided to bathers. 

Are Los Cabos beaches dangerous?

Given the current situation, tourists heading to Los Cabos soon may now be wondering whether swimming here is safe. Luckily, the answer is yes.

Rock formation near The Lovers Beach in Baja in Los Cabos, with the blue ocean and under a sunny summer day, Cabo San Lucas Baja California Sur.

Even though some beaches in the area, such as Playa Solmar, Playa Pedregal, and Divorce Beach, are never good for swimmers, many others are completely safe.

Even though it’s important to remember that in the last few days, several beaches in Los Cabos have been closed due to the presence of dangerous animals in the water, the local authorities are always extremely prompt in placing flags to warn tourists.

This means that, for as long as visitors pay attention to the flags present on the shores, they will be able to enjoy the sea without worries.

Lifeguard Walking Back To His Station In Los Cabos

On top of this, the Los Cabos government has made it its number one priority to keep bathers safe at all times.

This is why the most popular beaches in the municipality, such as El Médano Beach, are patrolled by expert lifeguards 24/7.

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