Summer is here and the beaches of Baja California Sur are in pristine condition...
With 7 blue flags beaches, and Operation Lifesaver now
underway, Cabo is ready to welcome visitors. Huge efforts have gone into cleaning, certifying
and surveillance operations to make things as safe as possible for summer
guests.
All the hard work has paid off Cabo now has 7 blue flag beaches - Chileno,
Palmillo and Santa Maria - have all been re-awarded blue flag status. And Acapulquito,
Las Viudas, Coral Negro (Embalmer) and Hacienda have all just received blue
flags this season.
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. There have already been
several drownings in the last couple of weeks.
However, the launch last weekend of the Navy’s “
Operation Lifesaver 2017” will hopefully reduce the risk of fatal
accidents. Operation Lifesaver involves the temporary deployment of 218
Naval agents who will cover 10 beaches. Providing land and sea patrols in an
attempt to safeguard lives and ensure the good behaviour of all visitors. First
aid stations will also be installed on several beaches. Operation
Lifesaver 2017 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 on windy days.