For anyone planning a fall trip to Cancun, the number one question is always the same: “What about the sargassum?” After a summer that saw record levels of the seaweed, travelers have been eagerly awaiting the end of the season.
Well, here at The Cancun Sun, we have fantastic news. As of the first week of October, we are officially in the final stretch of the 2025 sargassum season. This is the “tapering” month, a transitional period where conditions improve dramatically week by week, leading us back to the pristine, turquoise waters the Mexican Caribbean is famous for.
While the official end of the season was declared around November 15th last year, historically, the significant arrivals are over by the end of October. Here is our week-by-week guide to what you can realistically expect on the ground this month.
What “Tapering” Season Actually Looks Like
First, it’s important to understand what’s happening. The two main drivers of sargassum—warm water and specific ocean currents—begin to change in the fall. The water cools slightly and the currents shift, pushing the massive sargassum blooms away from our coastline. On the ground, this means the thick, brown mats that can blanket the ocean begin to break apart and become far less frequent, allowing clear water to emerge.
Week 1: October 6 – 12
This is the week where the tide has clearly turned. The good days are now definitively outnumbering the bad. While a change in wind can still bring in a stray patch of seaweed, especially after a storm, you can expect to find large, swimmable areas of clear water, particularly in the Cancun Hotel Zone. You might still have to step over a small line of sargassum on the shore, but the water itself is vastly improved.
Week 2: October 13 – 19
By mid-October, you should see a significant improvement. The “bits and pieces” of sargassum that float in the water will become much less frequent. The volume of seaweed arriving on shore is low enough that hotel cleaning crews can easily manage it, meaning the beaches will look and feel much cleaner. The chances of having your beach day significantly impacted by sargassum are now very low.
Week 3: October 20 – 26
For most of the main tourist areas, the season is now functionally over. This is when you can expect a return to the predominantly clear, stunningly turquoise water that you see in the postcards. The occasional, very small patch of sargassum is possible, but it is now the exception, not the rule. This is a fantastic week for travelers looking to get a jump on the high-season conditions without paying high-season prices.
Week 4: October 27 – 31
Welcome to the start of the clear season! By the last week of October, the sargassum season is historically over. Barring a freak weather event, the beaches and water should be in pristine condition, setting the stage for the flawless clarity that defines the winter high season from November through April.
The Savvy Traveler’s Takeaway
The key for any October traveler is to understand that while conditions are rapidly improving, a small amount of variability is still possible. While the chances are low, a late-season influx can happen. However, the overwhelming trend is one of rapid and consistent clearing.
For visitors who have been waiting for good news, the message is clear: the worst is over. October is a fantastic “sweet spot” month, offering travelers a chance to experience beautiful, swimmable beaches with fewer crowds and for a much better price than the peak winter season just a few weeks away.
Happy travels!
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.