Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Sept. 3, 2026 — Puerto Vallarta’s latest verified beach bulletin placed four zones under red and purple flags Wednesday, while eight monitored beaches carried yellow caution flags.
Red and purple flags were posted at the Río Cuale mouth and beaches fronting the Westin Regina, Marriott and Boca Negra, the Civil Protection and Fire Department reported.
Yellow flags covered Palmares, Los Muertos, Burros, Malecón, Camarones Sur, Camarones Norte, Holly and Oro. Authorities estimated waves at 0.60 meters, or about 2 feet, when the report was issued.
Where swimming is restricted
For this report, I reviewed Puerto Vallarta’s municipal beach-safety rules. The rules define a red flag as dangerous conditions that prohibit entering the sea. A purple flag warns of potentially harmful wildlife.
The combined red and purple warnings apply to:
- The mouth of the Río Cuale, between Centro and the Zona Romántica
- Westin Regina Beach in Marina Vallarta
- Marriott Beach in Marina Vallarta
- Boca Negra Beach near the northern end of the city’s coastline
The bulletin did not identify the wildlife involved. It also did not report a confirmed crocodile sighting at any of the four locations.
Beachgoers should not interpret a purple flag as confirmation of a specific animal. The warning indicates that lifeguards have identified a wildlife-related risk requiring additional precautions.
Palmares carries two warning levels
Palmares Beach was listed under a general yellow caution flag. However, authorities maintained a red flag in the southern section because of rocks in the water.
Visitors were told to avoid entering the sea at that point. The localized red restriction takes precedence over the broader yellow status for Palmares.
At the other yellow-flag beaches, swimming was not prohibited. Puerto Vallarta’s rules define yellow as a warning to enter with caution because weather and ocean conditions can vary.
That distinction affects several of the city’s busiest waterfront areas, including Los Muertos Beach in the Zona Romántica, the Malecón in Centro, Camarones in 5 de Diciembre and the hotel beaches farther north.
Surf may change after the bulletin
The 0.60-meter wave estimate was a local observation tied to the beach bulletin. It should not be treated as a forecast for every part of the Jalisco coast or for the rest of the day.
The National Meteorological Service forecast swells of 1.5 to 2.5 meters along the coasts of Jalisco, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Colima and Michoacán on Wednesday.
Puerto Vallarta’s aquatic rescue division also warned that waves could increase to between 1.5 and 2 meters, mainly along the central and northern coastline. Officials said those conditions could continue into the weekend as Tropical Storm Marie influenced the Mexican Pacific.
PVDN reported earlier this week that Marie remained offshore but could bring heavier rain and rougher surf to Puerto Vallarta. The beach bulletin did not attribute every red or purple flag directly to the storm.
“Prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” the department said.
