Cabo Port Closures: What Happens to Your Boat Day

Short answer: The port captain (Capitanía de Puerto de Cabo San Lucas) decides when the port closes to small boats, for storms and sometimes just for wind and waves. If your trip with us can't run because we or the captain cancel for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a free reschedule, no matter the timing.

A port closure sounds dramatic, but it's a normal safety step here, and it's the reason we trust the call. This page explains how it works and what happens to your plans. For storms happening now, see our live Cabo weather and hurricane update.

We are not meteorologists. For forecasts, follow the National Hurricane Center and Mexico's SMN.

Who closes the port

The port captain is Mexico's maritime authority for Cabo San Lucas. When conditions put boats and people at risk, the Capitanía closes the port to smaller vessels, and the Los Cabos government shares the notice with the public.

Closures are not only for hurricanes. On 18 August 2026, for example, the Los Cabos government reported that the port captain closed the port to vessels under 500 gross tonnage (UAB) from 07:45 "hasta nuevo aviso," meaning until further notice. The notice cited east-northeast winds of 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots, overcast skies and waves of 3 to 5 feet. It asked boat operators, fishermen and everyone else to respect the maritime authority and to follow official notices about the reopening.

Closures are about the sea, not only storms

Storms far out at sea can send big swells to our coast. In September 2026, National Hurricane Center advisories for Polo warned that its swells were "likely to cause life-threatening surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding" along portions of the coast of the Baja California peninsula. On 25 September, Los Cabos Protección Civil warned that in strong surf, waves can suddenly reach areas that look safe.

What happens to your boat day

Here's how it works with us, step by step:

1. The port captain closes the port, or we or the captain decide conditions aren't safe. 2. Message us on WhatsApp, and we help you with the next step. 3. Our weather policy applies: "If we or the captain cancel for weather or safety reasons, you receive a full refund or a free reschedule, no matter the timing." 4. If you get a reschedule, we set up the new day with you.

If you decide to cancel yourself while the port is open, our standard tiers apply: 7 or more days before, 100% refund; 72 hours to 7 days before, 50% refund; less than 72 hours before, no refund. Full details are on our cancellation policy page.

How to plan around it

• Book your boat day early in the trip, so there's room to move it.
• Tell us a backup day when you book.
• Keep our WhatsApp handy. If a closure affects your trip, message us and we help you with the next step.
• Have a land plan ready. Our adventures include options on land, and our rainy day ideas help on a gray afternoon.

Ready to book? Browse yacht charters and fishing trips, or message our concierge on WhatsApp (+52 624 244 6303). For the season as a whole, read our hurricane season guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides if the port is closed in Cabo San Lucas?

The port captain (Capitanía de Puerto de Cabo San Lucas) decides when the port closes to small boats, and the Los Cabos government shares the notices.

Does the port only close for hurricanes?

No. On 18 August 2026, for example, the port captain closed the port to vessels under 500 gross tonnage because of wind, gusts and waves of 3 to 5 feet.

Do I get a refund if the port closes?

If we or the captain cancel for weather or safety reasons, you receive a full refund or a free reschedule, no matter the timing.

Which boats does a port closure cover?

The notice sets that. In the 18 August 2026 notice, the port captain closed the port to vessels under 500 gross tonnage (UAB), until further notice.

What should I do if the port closes on my boat day?

If a closure affects your trip, message us on WhatsApp and we help you with the next step.