Los Cabos Tourists Warned To Stay Out Of The Ocean

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Last Updated 2 years ago

Tourists and locals in Los Cabos are being warned not to swim in the ocean due to extreme surf conditions. This appeal comes directly from the ZOFEMAT (the Mexican Secretary for Tourism), whose job is keeping tourists informed and safe, on top of other duties.

Visitors are also reminded that Los Cabos employs a beach flag system, which is easily recognizable to ensure your safety. This is as follows; A green flag means the water conditions are safe for swimming, a yellow flag means to swim with extra caution, a red flag means it is forbidden to swim, and a black flag means the beach is closed as well on top of swimming being forbidden.

What Causes Unsafe Swimming Conditions In Los Cabos

While Los Cabos plays host to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, many of them are unsuitable for swimming, even with calm seas. This is due to the fact many of the beaches have a short shallows area followed by a dramatic drop into the ocean. A swimmer can go from waist-deep to a 60 ft drop in the ocean floor with no warning.

This extreme aspect of some Los Cabos beaches brings a bigger danger than just the surprise of deep water. At sea, deep water allows for large swells and waves to build. Normally these lose their power gradually as the ocean floor gets shallower over distance. But, on short beaches, the sudden change in ocean floor height causes these large swells to aggressively break where swimmers usually are. This characteristic plays a large part in why the ZOFEMAT has released this latest warning.

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Unfortunately, the potential for danger doesn’t stop there. Many areas of Los Cabos are also home to fast-flowing and almost invisible rip tides and undertows, the difference being a rip tide is on the surface, while an undertow is beneath the surface. Both are difficult to spot and become even more dangerous in high surf conditions, as is currently forecast for Los Cabos.

If you do find yourself in a rip tide or undertow, there are some simple steps to take to escape danger. First and most important is not to panic. These conditions are easily escaped when you know how, it’s panic that often makes these quirks of nature deadly. To escape, swim parallel to the beach. In other words, swim with the beach on your right or left side. You can’t fight against the riptide, but you can easily swim out of the side of it. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, roll onto your back and gently backstroke out of the rip tide while calmly calling for help, the backstroke will use much less energy.

What Los Cabos Beaches Are Safe With Green Flag Conditions

Although many beaches in Los Cabos aren’t deemed safe for swimmers, even in good conditions, that doesn’t mean the area doesn’t have fantastic swimmable beaches, it does. And not only are these beaches swimmable, but they also happen to be some of the most beautiful.

Medano Beach

Medano beach, located directly in front of Cabo San Lucas, is not only swimmable, but it is the heart and soul of Los Cabos’ vibrant and lively social scene. Beautiful clean sand, beach clubs, restaurants, and every type of shop you could hope for, are all within walking distance. This beach is used throughout the year as a backdrop for events and festivities, from New Year fireworks & drone displays to the crazy parties of spring break.

Chileno Beach

For those who want a more authentic and relaxing Mexican beach experience, Chileno beach is the number one spot. Situated in the hotel zone, Chileno is as popular with locals as it is with tourists. While it lacks the same range of amenities as Medano beach, it more than makes up for it with its safe and calm waters, thanks to the bay that it is set in. Visitors here will still find plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, but its biggest attraction is what’s under the water. Chileno beach is widely considered to be the best snorkeling spot in all of Los Cabos that is accessible without the need for a boat charter.