Authorities kept Bahía de Banderas on alert Saturday as long-period surf, rip currents, and heavy rain raised risks along beaches and at low crossings between Nayarit and Jalisco.
The active mar de fondo event was producing waves of about 1 to 2 meters along the Bahía de Banderas coast on June 13. Local authorities reported red flags on beaches and continued watch by Civil Protection crews.
Rain that began Friday night and continued into Saturday also pushed up levels in the Río Ameca and nearby arroyos. Drivers were told not to cross moving water, even at familiar rural routes.
Beach and road risks around the bay
The strongest warning is for swimmers and small boats. The rip current risk can remain high even when the sky clears. Long-period swells arrive from distant weather systems and break with more force near shore.
Puerto Vallarta has been dealing with the same pattern this month. City officials warned earlier of rough seas and changing beach flags during a separate mar de fondo alert. That is the local rule to follow today. If a beach is marked red, stay out of the water.
On land, the closure of Paso del Guayabo is the main mobility issue. The crossing links the San José del Valle area with the route toward Ixtapa, Jalisco, and had already been closed after rains destabilized the Río Ameca crossing.
Authorities are also watching the Las Gaviotas dam crossing in El Colomo. That route is another connection used by communities between Bahía and Jalisco.
Rain threat continues
Federal forecasters said the western and central parts of Jalisco could see heavy rain Saturday, while southern Nayarit was forecast to receive very heavy rain. The same Servicio Meteorológico Nacional outlook warned that storms could raise river and arroyo levels and cause flooding, ponding, landslides, and reduced visibility.
The SMN also forecast a mar de fondo of 1 to 2 meters along the coasts of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán. That matches the local beach warnings around the bay.
The National Hurricane Center was also tracking a low-pressure area far southwest of Baja California, with a low chance of development through the weekend. It was not listed as an immediate threat to Bahía de Banderas, but it is another sign of an active early Pacific season.
What to watch locally
Avoid river and arroyo crossings, do not drive through water, and follow beach flags rather than the appearance of the surf from shore.
Rough surf may arrive before or after the heaviest rain.
Puerto Vallarta’s broader hurricane season guide has more background on local rain, river, and coastal hazards. For today, the safer choice is to treat red flags, closed crossings, and Civil Protection notices as conditions that can change quickly.
