The first I heard of the devastating earthquake in Japan that happened early this morning, and the subsequent Tsunami was early this morning when the phone rang.
The beach in Nuevo Vallarta this morning
It was my wife’s sister concerned for us and wanting to warn us of the impending tidal wave. So we got up and turned on the news and immediately saw reports of the devastation along Japan’s north coast. More investigation showed that the Tsunami was on it’s way to Puerto Vallarta and would be here some time this afternoon.
Since we manage several condos at Playa Royale, a beach front condominium development in Nuevo Vallarta, I came down to the check on the condos and make sure there was no damage. After several hours of waiting, it looks like the Tsunami is going to be a non event here in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a little early to tell yet, but the time of arrival has come and gone and there is still no evidence of a tsunami, except the surf amy be slightly higher than normal.
Everything normal this morning
Reports of 70 cm (about 2.5 feet) surf are coming in from Baja California, so there may still be some activity on it’s way, but for now it is business as usual in Puerto Vallarta… except that schools were out today, which forced me to close my office because everyone has kids to attend to! Out on the beach, the tide is in, and the usual flow of afternoon beach walkers are wandering by. The kid on his surf board who was waiting all morning for the wave has finally packed up and gone home. The only evidence that anything is different is that the employees of the beach club here at Playa Royale have pulled in all the tables and chairs from the beach and stored them by the pool.
My heart and prayers go out to all the victims of this mornings tragedy in Japan, The images I am seeing come in Japan are heart rending and I certainly don’t want to make light of their suffering, but I am truly grateful that nothing has happened here in Puerto Vallarta. If you would like to help those in Japan, send a text message REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief. It looks like they are going to need all the help they can get.
Below are a few pictures I snapped throughout the day.
Lots of boats out on the Bay... either to avoid being damaged by the waves, or just because it's a gorgeous day to be sailing!
Beachgoers don't seem to be worried about the tsunami in Puerto Vallarta
There was no shortage of people on the beach today, walking up and down, and sailboats were out in force
This guy was out there all morning waiting for teh ride of his life... I think he went home disappointed.
Tables and chairs stacked up away from the water at the Playa Royale beach Club in Nuevo Vallarta
The water has receded, so if there was any rise due to the Tsunami, it has apparently passed
Thanks for posting – after some searching I found your writeup. We have a son vacationing in Puerto Vallarta right now so it is comforting to know all is safe.
Ditto on the thanks for posting. I’ve got a sailboat at Paradise Village and I’m in Seattle. Yours is the first information about PV and the tsunami I’ve been able to find as of 8 pm your time, 6 pm my time.
Ian
Wendy and Ian, you are both welcome, I’m glad the information was useful!
Like the other posters, I appreciate the update. We are scheduled to leave for Puerto Vallarta with our two young daughters on Sunday and I’ve been looking for information on the safety and weather/travel conditions. yours is the first informative site that I’ve found. Thanks!
You’re welcome Emily… enjoy your trip! if you have any questions about anything while you are here, don’t hesitate to give us a call!