Cancun’s beaches are world-famous for a reason. Every year, millions of travelers from around the globe flock to these shores to enjoy the stunning turquoise water and powder-soft sand, and the vast majority have a perfectly safe and wonderful time. But the Caribbean Sea, for all its beauty, is a powerful force of nature.
Recent statistics from June serve as a timely and important reminder for all visitors to be mindful of ocean safety. While the number of incidents is incredibly small compared to the millions who swim without issue, a few key tips can ensure everyone’s vacation remains a happy one. Here at The Cancun Sun, we believe being a prepared traveler is being a smart traveler.
A Look at the Recent Numbers
According to Antonio Riveroll Ribbon, the director of Civil Protection for Benito Juárez, lifeguards had a busy month in June. Official reports show that lifeguards performed six rescues of swimmers in distress. Tragically, one death by drowning was also recorded.
While any incident is one too many, officials have pointed out a clear and preventable pattern in nearly all of the most serious cases.
The #1 Risk Factor: Swimming After Hours
The single most important piece of advice for any visitor is to respect the lifeguard schedules. The lifeguards on Cancun’s public beaches are on duty from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The recent fatality, a 41-year-old tourist from Chiapas, tragically occurred when he went swimming between 6:30 and 7:00 in the morning, long before lifeguards were on their towers.
“We ask swimmers to enter the sea when the lifeguards are on duty,” Director Riveroll explained, emphasizing that swimming in the early morning or after sunset, while tempting, is when the beaches are unsupervised and at their most dangerous.
Your Simple Guide to Beach Safety
Beyond timing your swim, officials have reiterated a few simple but crucial rules that can guarantee a safe and stress-free beach day for you and your family.
Know Your Flags: A Simple Guide to Ocean Safety
The single most important safety feature on any Cancun beach is the colored flag flying near the lifeguard tower. It’s a simple, universal system that tells you the ocean’s mood in real-time. Knowing what the colors mean is essential.
- Green Flag: Go for it! Conditions are calm and considered safe for swimming.
- Yellow Flag: Use caution. The water might be a bit choppy, so be aware of your surroundings.
- Red Flag: This is a serious warning. Conditions are dangerous, with strong currents or high surf. It is strongly urged that you stay out of the water.
- Black Flag: This is the highest level of warning. When you see a black flag, it means the beach is closed to all swimming and entering the water is not permitted due to extreme conditions or a specific hazard.
Never, ever ignore a red or black flag. They are put there by lifeguards for your protection.
- Swim Near a Lifeguard: Even during operating hours, try to set up your spot on the beach relatively close to a lifeguard tower. They are positioned in the safest designated swimming areas.
- Don’t Mix Alcohol and Swimming: It’s easy to lose track while enjoying cocktails on the beach, but swimming while intoxicated impairs judgment and motor skills, and is a leading factor in many rescue situations.
- Respect the Rip Currents: Rip currents are powerful channels of water that can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea. If you are ever caught in one, the most important rule is do not panic or fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the current, and then swim back to the beach at an angle.
Cancun’s beaches truly are paradise. By keeping these simple, common-sense reminders in mind, you can ensure your only worry is whether or not you applied enough sunscreen.
Safe travels!
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