Skip to Content

What The Closing Of The Cabo San Lucas Marina Means For Tourists 

Share The Article

Last Updated

Boat tours and water activities are the most popular things to do for tourists visiting Los Cabos and an important business for locals.   

The marina in Cabo San Lucas is typically filled with boats ready to take tourists snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, and sailing, but now that marina is closed.   

While it’s likely to be back up and running eventually, visitors vacationing in Los Cabos soon are surely wondering what the closing of the Cabo San Lucas marina means for tourists, especially those who already have tours booked.   

Let’s look at why this happened, and how it will affect Los Cabos vacationers. 

Boats Sitting in the Cabo San Lucas Marina

**UPDATE 4-15-24: According to local sources, the Marina is back up and operating as normal. At the time of the original report The Cabo Sun did not have a timeline for reopening of this section of the Marina, but tourists can now expect all activities to operate normally.**


The End Of A Concession 

According to reports the closing of the marina in Cabo San Lucas is due to the end of a concession for the company that operated the marina.   

That company, IGY Marina, had a concession, or license, that was set to expire on April 1st of this year.   

It wasn’t until April 11th, at 10:00 in the morning, that a siren went off, announcing the closure of the marina.   

Boats in the Marina of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

No Notice For Service Providers Or Tourists 

Besides knowing that the concession was set to end, tour service providers were unaware that the closing would occur on this day.   

Both service providers and tourists were caught off guard when boats were ordered to stop operating and return to the marina.   

Padlocks were then put on doors to block access to the marina.   

Tour Boats in the Cabo Mariina

Tourists Left Wondering What To Do About Booked Tours 

If you’re heading to Los Cabos soon and have already booked a boat tour, then you’re probably wondering what to do.   

Currently, there is no information regarding the marina’s reopening schedule.   

It could reopen by the time you visit, but this might be a chance you don’t want to take, especially if you booked a high-priced tour.   

Tourists Walking Around the Marina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Steps To Take To Be Refunded For Your Booked Tour 

If you have a tour booked through a third-party booking site like Viator, you can likely get a refund if you cancel within 24 hours before the tour date.   

If you’ve booked with a private company, you’ll want to contact them right away to inquire about a refund.   

You can always try to book a tour later if the marina reopens by the time you take your trip, but you don’t want to lose the money that you already spent. 

Boats and Tourists in the Cabo San Lucas Marina, With Senor Frogs In the Background

Water Activities You Don’t Have To Go To The Marina For 

Even with the marina closed, there are still water activities that you can enjoy in Los Cabos.   

If you visit Medano Beach, you’ll notice vendors renting small watercrafts like kayaks and paddleboards.   

Additionally, you’ll typically find jet ski rentals along the beach as well.   

It may not be the experience you hope for, but it is an option to still get out on the water during your Los Cabos vacation.   

Tourists Kayaking in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Other Tours To Take While The Marina Is Closed 

You can also spend some time enjoying other types of tours, and there are plenty available.   

Horseback and camel rides on the beach, food and tequila tasting tours, and ATV tours are all amazing experiences to have in Los Cabos too.   

These tours start at as low as $75 per person.   

Tourists Horseback Riding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The Future Of The Cabo San Lucas Marina 

While no reopening date for the Cabo San Lucas marina has been set yet, a new concessionaire has been announced.   

According to reports, the concession has been granted to the Administration of the National Port System (ASIPONA).   

That concession will be valid for 50 years, so once the marina is back up and running, it should be for the long haul.

Plan Your Next Cabo Vacation:


Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

Choose From Thousands of Cabo Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties

Join The Community ↓

 The Cabo Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and current events happening in Los Cabos

Faceook Group The Cabo Sun

Subscribe to our Latest Posts

Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.