Summer is here and the beaches of Baja California Sur are
in pristine condition to welcome visitors.
Huge efforts have gone into cleaning, certifying and
surveillance operations to make things as safe as possible for summer guests.
The 27 beaches across the 5 boroughs of BCS are monitored
regularly by Coepris - "the project we have for clean beaches is ongoing -
we do studies of each of the beaches and the water, which so far are in perfect
condition” confirmed Blanca Pulido Medrano,
Director of Coepris.
Three of Cabo’s key beaches - Chileno, Palmillo and Santa
Maria - have all been re-awarded blue flag status. And 5 more beaches
are expected to gain blue flag status in the next few weeks. These are – El
Tecolote and Balandra in La Paz, El Juncalito in Loreto, and
Santispaq and El Requesón in Mulegé.
Blue flag status is the highest award for cleanliness,
water quality, environmental management and safety. They are hugely important
for BCS as a tourist destination - indicating the high calibre of the beaches and the high levels of safety and
surveillance.
Safety is crucial on BCS beaches as tourists repeatedly take
risks despite warnings against high waves and strong currents. Every year this
leads to fatalities despite the best efforts of local safety and naval teams.
Cabo’s chief naval officerhas urged hoteliers to
prevent tourists going to the beach at high tide when accidents can occur. He
pointed out that warning flags have proved inefficient and people continue to
risk their lives.
However, the launch last week of the Navy’s “ Operation Lifesaver 2016” will hopefully reduce the risk of fatal accidents. It will cover 17 beaches and will provide land
and sea patrols in an attempt to safeguard lives and ensure the good behaviour
of all visitors. And you will see first aid stations installed on several beaches. Operation Lifesaver 2016 covers the main vacation period and runs until August 21.
So, if you are visiting Baja’s beaches this summer - have
fun but be safe. Don’t swim if you see the red warning flags, listen to the
advice of the lifeguards, and stay off the beaches at high tides.