If you were hoping to walk under the Arch this week, hold that thought. The Los Cabos municipal government has temporarily closed access to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and to Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio), the Pacific-facing beach behind it.

Here’s what happened. A natural shift has temporarily left a passage of sand beneath the Arch, and the images spread quickly on social media. On August 3, Francisco Cota Márquez, the municipal director of Civil Protection and Risk Management, warned that conditions there were an “extreme risk”: ground swells and unpredictable waves can sweep people out into the Pacific. As he put it, a single large wave can put a life at risk and make any rescue difficult.

What the closure means

The first measure, announced on August 3, restricted access to Divorce Beach, with a black flag and signage installed by Zofemat (the federal beach zone office), the Mexican Navy’s Cabo San Lucas naval sector and the Port Captain’s office. On August 4, the municipality extended the closure to the Arch itself. Municipal secretary general Alberto Rentería Santana said Zofemat, Public Safety and Civil Protection would add more warning signs and keep both areas under constant watch.

The restriction stays in place until conditions allow a safe reopening, and the municipality didn’t give a date. Officials asked residents, visitors and tour operators to respect it. A black flag on a Mexican beach means no one should be in the water, full stop.

Still want to see the Arch?

Boat tours from the marina still pass by the Arch whenever the port is open, so you can enjoy the view from the water. Our guide to the Arch at Land’s End has the background and the best ways to see it.

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