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Many of the beaches in Los Cabos are dangerous year-round, but in recent weeks even some of the usually safe beaches are experiencing hazardous conditions.
Safety flags are used to warn beachgoers to either use extreme caution or to avoid certain beaches altogether, but many do not heed the warnings.
Now, Los Cabos is sending more officials to the beaches as visitors continue to ignore the safety warnings.
Los Cabos Beaches
Los Cabos is known for its beautiful beaches that draw hundreds of thousands of travelers to the region every year.
There are at least 20 beaches in the area, some swimmable and some not.
They are spread out between Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor located between the two cities.
@all_inclusive_vacations Which beach will you go to first? 🏝 #bestbeaches #cabo #cabosanlucas #cabobeaches #thingstodoincabo #cabotrip #cabotravel ♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith
Why Some Los Cabos Beaches Are Not Swimmable
There are three main reasons for many Los Cabos beaches not being swimmable.
Of course, there can be dangerous marine life too, but that goes for most beaches around the world.
The three things that make Los Cabos beaches dangerous are:
- Large Crashing Waves
- Strong Rip Currents
- Steep And Sudden Drop-Offs
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@dryden.benoit Replying to @Conor STAY SAFE OUT THERE ! #cabowaves #cabo #waves #beach #cabosanlucas #beach ♬ Somewhere Only We Know – Gustixa
Current Beach Conditions In Los Cabos
The current conditions that are even making normally swimmable beaches unswimmable have to do with large swells that are out at sea.
The swells are caused by storms that might not come near the shore at all but still affect the conditions along the coast.
These swells have been being reported and affecting the swimming conditions in Los Cabos for about two weeks now.
@monica.s.daniels Replying to @Lauralee Reyes ♬ original sound – Monica | Travel & Lifestyle
Safest Beaches For Swimming
Typically some of the safest beaches for swimming are Chileno Beach, Santa Maria Beach, Palmilla Beach, and Medano Beach.
While these beaches are still a bit safer than the usually unswimmable beaches, extreme caution should still be used.
Visitors should also be sure that lifeguards are on duty and to swim within sight of them, and avoid beaches that typically do not have lifeguards, which a number of them do not.
All-Inclusives With Their Own Beaches
There are a number of all-inclusive resorts that either have their own private beach or are attached to swimmable beaches, and some even have their own beach lifeguards.
Some of the resorts with swimmable beaches in Cabo San Lucas include Breathless Cabo San Lucas, Hacienda Beach Club & Residences, and Hotel Riu Palace.
Along the Tourist Corridor, swimmable beaches include Montage Los Cabos and Paradisus Los Cabos.
And in San Jose del Cabo, the One&Only Palmilla and Hotel El Ganzo have swimmable beaches.
Things To Do Other Than Going To The Beach
There are plenty of things to do other than go to the beach in Los Cabos, so if you feel it’s too unsafe to go swimming, you won’t be bored.
Outdoor activities like hiking, ATVing, and horseback riding are plentiful.
And it’s also very likely that the resort you’re staying at offers all kinds of activities, both indoors and outdoors.
Additionally, many water activities like boat tours and jet skiing are still safe in some areas.
Safety On Los Cabos Beaches
The number one way to stay safe on Los Cabos beaches is to pay attention to the beach safety flags.
A Black Flag means that the beach is completely closed, a Red Flag means swimming is off-limits, and a Yellow Flag means that you should use extreme caution when swimming.
A Green Flag, as officials will be on the beach explaining to visitors, means that the beach is safe for swimming.
Los Cabos beaches have already claimed one life this year, and officials are trying to prevent any more tragedies.
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