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Planning A Los Cabos Beach Day? Tourists Urged To Be Cautious As Several Beaches Remain Closed 

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Just because summer is ending in Los Cabos doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of time to enjoy a beach day.   

Los Cabos gets about 350 days of sunshine every year, so beach days can happen pretty much year-round.   

If you’re planning a Los Cabos beach day in the near future, though, be aware that tourists are being urged to be cautious, as several beaches remain closed following the most recent tropical storm to pass by.   

Red Warning Flag on a Beach in Los Cabos, Mexico

Weather Affecting Current Beach Conditions  

Last week Tropical Storm Ileana passed by Los Cabos, leading to heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous beach conditions.   

As a result, Los Cabos officials closed all of the area’s beaches as a safety precaution.   

Now, a week later, officials are warning that some of those beaches are still closed due to strong winds causing large waves.   

Large Waves at Land's End in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

How To Tell Which Los Cabos Beaches Are Closed 

Fortunately, determining which Los Cabos beaches are open and which ones are closed is not a guessing game.   

This is because Los Cabos utilizes a beach warning flag system to inform beachgoers of a beach’s current conditions and status.   

Beaches that are closed will have a black warning flag posted somewhere on the beach.   

Black Flag in the Water on a Beach

The Difference Between Red And Black Warning Flags 

Red and black beach warning flags are similar in that they both indicate that the beach that they’re posted on is not safe for swimming.   

The difference is that the red flag just warns that the water conditions are unsafe.   

The black flag warns that water conditions are dangerous AND that the beach itself may be unsafe and is closed to the public, even for recreational activities.   

When a red flag is posted you can still visit the beach, but swimming is prohibited.   

Tourists Next to a Red Beach Warning Flag on a Los Cabos Beach

Los Cabos Beaches Where Swimming Is Currently Prohibited  

The Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone, also known as Zofemat, recently announced that there are black flags still posted on three of the area’s beaches.   

Those beaches are Palmilla, Viudas, and Surgidero Beaches.   

Additionally, Santa Maria Beach and several other beaches near San Jose del Cabo along the Tourist Corridor have been deemed unsafe for swimming and have red flags posted.   

Red Flag On A Beach Indicating No Swimming

Swimming At A Beach With A Yellow Flag Warning  

There are several beaches in Los Cabos that are open and where swimming is currently allowed, but officials are urging beachgoers to exercise extreme caution when swimming.   

These beaches, one of which is the area’s most popular beach, Medano Beach, have a yellow beach warning flag posted.   

Those beaches are: 

  • Medano Beach  
  • Chileno Beach 
  • Ribera Beach 
  • Hacienda Beach  
  • Corsario Beach 
Yellow Flag on a Beach

Beaches In Los Cabos 

Whether you visit Los Cabos during hurricane season, right after a storm passes, or any other time of the year, you might arrive to find out that swimming conditions are dangerous for some or all of your stay.   

There are plenty of swimmable beaches in the destination, but conditions change frequently, making them unswimmable at times.   

Several beaches in the region are always unswimmable due to steep drop-offs and unpredictable currents.   

This is why it’s important to always look out for the warning flags.   

Pristine Santa Maria Beach in Los Cabos, Mexico

Beaches Outside Of Los Cabos 

If the beaches in Los Cabos are unswimmable and you really want a beach day, you can always try a beach outside of Los Cabos for the day.   

Todos Santos, La Paz, and the East Cape area all have beautiful beaches as well.   

There are also some lovely towns worth visiting along the way, so you can see more of this beautiful region and still have a beach day. 

Plan Your Next Cabo Vacation:


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