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Beaches in Cancun are currently in splendid condition according to a new report by Quintana Roo’s environmental agency as sargassum levels remain unusually low despite the start of the seaweed season.
As a precautionary measure, local officials have intensified cleaning efforts amid reports that sargassum levels could increase drastically over the coming weeks.
Although largely harmless to travelers, sargassum seaweed is a perennial issue each year in the Mexican Caribbean due to the aesthetic impact it has on the region’s white-sand beaches.
But this year, Cancun is more prepared than ever to deal with the effects of sargassum thanks to new investments in cleaning equipment and physical labor.
With that in mind, here’s the latest on Cancun’s sargassum situation and how much seaweed travelers can expect in the coming weeks.
Travelers Urged To Enjoy Clean Cancun Beaches With More Sargassum Expected To Arrive
Cancun’s main public beaches currently have low to very low amounts of sargassum seaweed, providing travelers with an ideal occasion to enjoy one of the city’s most appealing attractions.
The El Niño, Las Perlas, Chac Mool, Marlín, Ballenas, Delfines and Coral beaches all currently have minimal amounts of the foul-smelling seaweed despite the start of the sargassum season.
Beaches like Delfines and Ballenas are widely regarded as some of the best in the world thanks to their crystal-clear waters, unparalleled selection of all-inclusive resorts as well as bars and restaurants.
But even if more sargassum were to appear on Cancun’s shore, the coastal destination is prepared to tackle the issue.
Local and regional officials have invested heavily in new machinery as well as cleaners to maintain the city’s beaches in impeccable condition.
Despite the currently ideal conditions, Cancun is already preparing for more sargassum arrivals, setting up new protocols to deal with the challenge.
City cleaners begin their long shift at 6 a.m., conducting an initial visual inspection of the city’s main beaches.
There are currently 180 cleaners employed on a permanent basis to maintain Cancun’s beaches, but the city can deploy an additional 20 cleaners if needed.
On top of that, the Mexican Navy recently announced a huge deployment of new vessels and sargassum barriers to further enhance the region’s seaweed cleaning efforts.
Meanwhile, the Zofemat, a regional environmental agency, maintains an up-to-date overview of the sargassum situation, issuing new forecasts as conditions evolve.
According to the authority, seaweed levels are likely to rise in the coming weeks due to the presence of a large sargassum patch over the Atlantic.
The situation is expected to deteriorate in mid-April, giving travelers at least a few more weeks to enjoy sargassum-free beaches.
Cancun’s beaches aren’t the only ones reporting low sargassum levels; in Playa del Carmen, beaches are also in good shape, with Fundadores, Esmeralda, and el Recodo currently reporting minimal sargassum levels.
Travelers can check the latest sargassum forecast on Quintana Roo’s Sargassum Monitoring Network’s Facebook page.
The non-profit organization publishes weekly easy-to-read seaweed updates for dozens of beaches in the sunny region.
According to the organization, the only beaches in the Mexican Caribbean with significant amounts of sargassum are those situated on the eastern coast of Cozumel and some locations just north of Tulum.
As the Mexican Caribbean heads deeper into the sargassum season, officials are deploying more seaweed barriers and hiring more staff to keep beaches clean, although some sub-regions are likely to see more seaweed than others.
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