Los Cabos Braces for High Surf as Hurricane Barbara Stays at Sea

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LOS CABOS, Mexico, June 9, 2025 – The first hurricane of the 2025 Eastern Pacific season, Hurricane Barbara, is giving Los Cabos a wide berth, sparing the tourist destination from a direct hit. However, the powerful storm could make its presence felt from a distance, churning up the ocean and sending large, dangerous waves toward the shores of southern Baja California Sur.

As of Monday morning, Hurricane Barbara was tracking in a west-northwest direction, keeping its powerful winds and heavy rains well away from land. Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center have been clear: the storm will remain offshore.

For residents and the thousands of tourists currently in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, this news comes as a relief. There are no active hurricane watches or warnings in effect for the area. The skies remain mostly sunny, and the strong, damaging winds of a hurricane are not in the forecast.

However, local authorities are urging caution. The primary concern for Los Cabos is the significant ocean swell generated by Barbara. These powerful waves, born from the hurricane’s distant energy, are traveling across the Pacific and could create life-threatening conditions along the coast for the next several days.

Beaches popular with swimmers and surfers will see larger-than-normal waves and, more importantly, are at high risk for strong rip currents. These fast-moving channels of water can pull even experienced swimmers out to sea. Red flags are expected to be flying at many local beaches, signaling that entering the water is not advised.

The local Port Captain is monitoring the situation closely. Boaters and operators of water-based activities, from fishing charters to glass-bottom boat tours, are being advised to stay aware of the hazardous sea conditions. It is possible that the port could see some restrictions on smaller vessels leaving the safety of the marina if conditions become too dangerous.

“We always watch these storms very closely,” one local boat captain told The Cabo Sun. “Barbara is staying out there, which is good news. But the ocean is another story. The waves will have some real power behind them. It’s a time to be respectful of the sea.”

This early-season storm serves as an important reminder that hurricane season, which officially began on May 15 in the Pacific, is now active. While Barbara is not a direct threat, its indirect effects highlight the need for preparedness. The Los Cabos Civil Protection council has already met this season to ensure that emergency plans and shelters are ready if a future storm takes a more direct path.

For now, the message to the public is clear: enjoy the sunshine and the beauty of Los Cabos, but stay out of the water. The powerful surf, while impressive to watch from a safe distance, is a serious hazard that should not be underestimated. The hurricane might be far away, but its impact is still reaching the shoreline.

Your safety is our priority. The Cabo Sun will bring you the latest information all hurricane season long.