Beaches & Port Closed In Cabo Due To Hurricane Rachel

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If you took a morning stroll down to Medano Beach today, you probably noticed a very strange contrast in the weather. Looking up at the sky, things actually seem fairly calm. There is not a ton of heavy wind or driving rain, and while there are definitely some scattered storm clouds floating around, it does not look or feel like a massive storm is knocking on the door. However, if you look out at the water, it is a completely different story. The ocean is absolutely not calm right now.

Due to the passing weather system known as Hurricane Rachel, local authorities have officially stepped in to keep everyone safe. Right now, both the beaches and the main port in Cabo San Lucas are strictly closed. If you are currently in town or flying down for the weekend, you may need to adjust your itinerary. Here is exactly what travelers need to know and what to expect in Los Cabos today.

The Situation On Medano Beach

We went for a walk this morning to check out the exact conditions along Medano Beach, which is normally the most swimmable and energetic stretch of sand in the entire destination. The first place we always use as a major point of reference is the Corazon Beach Club. Today, the black flags are raised high in the air, and the beach club itself is not set up. The lounge chairs are put away, the umbrellas are strapped down, and it is going to stay exactly that way for at least the rest of today.

When you see a black flag flying on a Mexican beach, it means the ocean is completely closed to the public. This is the absolute highest level of warning that lifeguards and civil protection authorities can possibly issue. Entering the water is strictly prohibited, and doing so will result in authorities asking you to leave the beach entirely.

Why The Ocean Is Currently Dangerous

Even though the wind on the beach might feel completely manageable, the energy out in the water is incredibly dangerous right now. Hurricane Rachel is a Category 2 storm churning in the Pacific, and while it is not making a direct hit on Los Cabos, it is passing south of the Baja California peninsula. When major storms like this spin hundreds of miles offshore, they act like giant wave machines pushing enormous amounts of energy directly toward the coastline.

As a result, the ocean conditions today are extremely hazardous. Travelers can expect massive swells, totally unpredictable rogue waves, and life threatening rip currents. There is also a high amount of debris getting churned up by the heavy surf. The water is simply not safe for anyone, regardless of your swimming ability. The United States Embassy has already issued a formal weather alert reminding citizens that these exact types of ocean conditions have caused fatal accidents in the past. Do not test the ocean today. Respect the black flags and stay out of the surf.

Port Closures And Canceled Tours

Because the ocean is so incredibly rough, the local port captain has officially closed the port of Cabo San Lucas to all nautical activities. This is a massive disruption for anyone who had a boat tour planned for today. When the port is closed, absolutely zero tourist vessels are allowed to leave the marina.

This means there will be no water activities or water tours running until further notice. If you had a snorkeling trip booked to see the sea lions, a sunset catamaran cruise around the famous Arch, or a deep sea fishing charter scheduled for this afternoon, your trip is officially canceled. You will need to contact your tour operator to reschedule your excursion for later in your vacation once the seas calm down and the port reopens.

The rough seas are even impacting the massive cruise ships. Cabo San Lucas is what the travel industry calls a tender port, meaning the giant ships have to anchor offshore and shuttle passengers to the marina using smaller local boats. Because the water is way too rough for those small tender boats to safely operate, several major cruise lines have already completely rerouted their ships and skipped their planned stops in Los Cabos this week.

What To Expect And Do Today

So what should you actually do in Cabo today while everything on the water is shut down? First, you need to stay away from the shoreline. Even walking too close to the water can be incredibly dangerous when rogue waves are crashing onto the beach. Since the ocean and the boats are completely off limits, this is the absolute perfect time to take full advantage of your luxury resort amenities.

Grab a book and head to the swimming pool, where it is completely safe to take a dip and order a cocktail. Book a relaxing massage at the spa, or head into town to enjoy some world class Mexican cuisine at a local restaurant. While you might see some light rain showers passing through the area over the next few days, the severe weather is mostly staying out at sea.

Just stay smart, listen to the local authorities, and keep a close eye on the weather updates. The black flags will eventually come down once the ocean settles back into its normal rhythm, but for today, simply enjoy a highly relaxed and cozy day on dry land.