Los Cabos Beaches Closed Until Further Notice (And When To Expect A Reopening)

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We at The Cabo Sun know a beach day is probably the reason you booked Cabo in the first place.

After Tropical Storm Priscilla, though, local authorities have temporarily closed multiple Los Cabos beaches while they run health and water-quality checks.

Here’s what’s going on, how long closures typically last, and what smart travelers should do next.

Why beaches are closed right now

Heavy rains from Priscilla caused arroyo runoff to surge into the sea, carrying solid waste that can impact near-shore water quality.

That triggers a public-health protocol: beaches are shut while crews clean up and water samples are tested.

Officials with ZOFEMAT (the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone) explained after authorities determine conditions are safe for re-entry they will alert citizens and tourists as soon as possible.

When could beaches reopen?

Closures were reaffirmed on Saturday, October 11th, as confirmed above.

That said, authorities are also monitoring Tropical Storm Raymond, so timelines can shift if weather deteriorates. Expect rolling reopenings beach-by-beach as water results come back. We’ll keep watching official updates.

Which beaches are affected?

Local reports note that the main certified beaches remain closed as a precaution while sampling and cleanup proceed. Remember: closures often apply to the shore and surf zone even if the sand “looks fine,” because the issue is water quality—not just debris on the beach.

Obey posted flags and barricades; fines can apply for ignoring closures.

What travelers should do in the meantime

• Lean on your resort amenities. Pools, loungers, and spa days are your best friends during short beach pauses.
• Watch the flags and check our safety guides. Once reopenings begin, use the international beach-flag system—El Médano now has additional safety flags with clearer guidance. We break down exactly what each color means and how to read the surf like a local in our recent explainer.
• Choose swimmable, protected bays when green or yellow flags return. When beaches reopen, stick to Sea of Cortez favorites like Chileno, Santa María, and Palmilla—all frequent Blue Flag standouts. Our rundown on the five most dangerous beaches explains why certain Pacific-side stretches are unswimmable even on “normal” days and where to enjoy the water safely instead.
• Use Blue Flag as your north star. Los Cabos now boasts a record 27 Blue Flag beaches—a strong signal for water quality, lifeguards, and environmental management. As reopenings roll out, prioritizing Blue Flag shores is the easiest way to get back in the water with confidence.

Why this is actually a good sign

It’s frustrating to see black flags when you’re ready to dive in. But closures like these show the safety system is working. Cabo has been raising standards—from expanding Blue Flag certifications to beefing up on-beach safety signage—specifically to keep visitors healthy and informed. We’ve also reported more broadly on how Los Cabos is making your vacation safer with stricter on-site enforcement and proactive management.

Keep an eye on weather—and official channels

Weather can nudge timelines. The U.S. Embassy and National Hurricane Center issued alerts tied to Tropical Storm Raymond for Baja California Sur, including Los Cabos. If the storm strengthens or shifts, officials may extend closures to protect swimmers and beach staff. We’ll monitor Raymond and share any changes that affect beach access.

What we’ll watch for next

• First testing results that allow partial reopenings (likely on the Sea of Cortez side first).
• Updated lists of beaches cleared for swimming, especially among the Blue Flag roster. We’ve covered Cabo’s rapid growth to 27 certified beaches and why that matters for your trip.
• High-season crowd dynamics. Once the flags flip to green again, expect beaches to fill quickly—Cabo is on track for an all-time record-breaking high season, so plan to arrive early and bring shade.

Bottom line: Yes, beaches are closed for now, and that’s the right call after heavy runoff. Once testing is done and weather agrees expect reopenings with phased, beach-by-beach approvals.

In the meantime, lean into resort time, keep tabs on flags, and use our Blue Flag and beach-safety guides to pick the safest spots the moment they’re back open.