Baja California Sur has always been shaped by the power of nature. Among its most defining forces are hurricanes storms that can test communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Yet each storm has also left behind something valuable: lessons in preparation, adaptation, and resilience.

A Brief History: Major Hurricanes That Left Their Mark

Hurricane Liza (1976) – One of the deadliest in the region, bringing catastrophic flooding to La Paz and surrounding areas. The tragedy revealed how critical proper drainage, flood defenses, and disaster planning are for Baja communities.
Hurricane Kiko (1989) – A Category 3 hurricane that struck near the southern tip of the peninsula, damaging homes and highways. The storm showed the need for stronger building codes and infrastructure.
Hurricane Norbert (2008) – Brought intense rains and flooding across southern Baja. The aftermath emphasized how vital clear evacuation routes and emergency shelters are.
Hurricane Odile (2014) – Category 3 at landfall and the most destructive hurricane in modern Cabo history, leaving widespread structural damage and weeks of recovery work. Odile reinforced the importance of resilient power grids, tourism infrastructure, and early warning systems.

Each of these storms reshaped Baja and reminded its communities of the importance of preparedness

Building Resilience: Lessons Learned

From decades of storms, Baja has grown stronger and more adaptive:

Better forecasting and alerts mean communities have more time to prepare and evacuate if necessary.
Stricter building codes have improved resilience against wind and flooding.
Preparedness in tourism ensures operators like Dip Expeditions can pause, reset, and come back stronger for high season.
Community solidarity has always been a cornerstone—neighbors, families, and local businesses help each other recover quickly after storms.

When Is Hurricane Season?

Peak months: August, September, October
Tourism impact: Even if many storms pass offshore, they bring high surf, strong winds, heavy rain, and temporary disruptions.

Hurricanes & Surf Culture in Baja

Hurricane season doesn’t mean Los Cabos shuts down. In fact, storm systems in the Eastern Pacific often generate world-class waves that roll directly into the East Cape. From August through October, this coastline north of San José del Cabo becomes a playground for surfers chasing long rides and clean, powerful breaks.

For locals, this is the hidden upside of hurricane season: while boats like ours pause in September for safety, surfers flock to the East Cape to ride the energy storms send across the ocean.

Why Dip Expeditions Does Not Operate in September

At Dip Expeditions, safety and preparation come first. We do not run tours in September. Instead, we dedicate this month to:

Securing and maintaining our boat, La Dip, after the summer season
Reinforcing safety protocols ahead of high season
Inspecting equipment (life vests, radios, emergency kits, moorings)
Training our team for peak season operations and emergency readiness

By pausing operations, we ensure that when high season begins in November, our guests enjoy safe, smooth, and memorable experiences.

Conclusion: A Stronger Baja, Season After Season

Hurricanes have left scars on Baja California Sur, but they’ve also built resilience. Every September, while we secure La Dip and prepare our team, surfers ride the East Cape waves and locals continue life with the same spirit of adaptability. By the time the waters cool in November, Baja is ready for the arrival of the whales—and Dip Expeditions is ready to welcome guests back aboard safely.

Traveling here means joining a region that knows how to weather storms, rebuild, and thrive—season after season.

Lessons from the Storms: Baja’s Hurricane History, Surf, and Resilience