Cabo one blue flag down..

A recent incident on a popular Cabo beach, where a bulldozer crushed a nest of turtle hatchlings, has resulted in the loss of Blue Flag status on Santa Fe beach at Hotel Riu.

Blue flag accreditation is taking place this week in 19 beaches across Los Cabos. Official results are not expected until tomorrow. But the NGO operator of the Blue Flag program in Mexico has today confirmed that the blue flag on Santa Fe beach will be temporarily lowered. At least until the official investigation has been completed.

Bad for Cabo’s reputation. But good that the incident is being taken so seriously. Sea turtles are endangered worldwide and everyone in Cabo – locals, conservation groups, businesses and the authorities – have all been working tirelessly in recent years to improve their plight.

Blue Flags are a big deal for Cabo and help validate its high standard for conservation, ecotourism and as a luxury destination. This careless incident of bulldozing the beach in turtle season should not have happened. (The same goes for another incident that happened just one week later)..

However, indications are that all the other 18 beaches have done well.  And none are expected to lose their blue flag status. Fingers crossed.

We’ll be back with an update as soon as the results are out.