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Sargassum, a brown seaweed that floods the Mexican Caribbean coast during the spring and summer months, is typically present until the fall months.
Its presence is something that many visitors would rather not deal with on their vacations because it’s unsightly and smells.
Fortunately, for those travelers visiting in the next several months, it won’t be an issue because sargassum season is going to end early in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean this year, according to a new report.
The Disappearance Of Sargassum Earlier Than Usual
A recent report from the Secretariat of the Navy’s sargassum monitoring department shows that sargassum is disappearing earlier than usual.
In the Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations of Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel current sargassum levels are low to moderate.
And the level of sargassum in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres is scarce to low.
@laluna_travel SARGASSUM! It can happen anytime of the year, anywhere in Riviera Maya , DR , Jamaica, and other Caribbean destinations, but seems to be worse, beginning in April and during the summer. It changes every single day from resort to resort, and it changes up and down the coast. No one can predict what it will be like tomorrow, never mind next week or next month. The majority of resorts have workers working tirelessly to battle this “gift” from Mother Nature. But sometimes it’s just not worth it because it just comes right back. Typically, the beaches that are usually not great to begin with get hit the worst, so make sure to be aware of those. And I am always here to help you to navigate you through the majority of resorts and find the best one for you that suits your needs. Here is my list of resorts with " seaweeds free" (minimum chances of seaweeds) beaches in Cancun : Grand Fiesta Americana, Dreams Sands, Hyatt Ziva Cancún, Riu Palace Peninsula. ✈️ ➡️follow @lalluna_travel for more travel content. #travelagent #travelconsultant #traveladvisor #vacation #mexico #cancun #familyvacation #allinclusive #luxuryvacation #visitmexico #IslandVibes #BeachLife # #luxuryresort #AsktTavelAdvisor #travelagentlife #whywelovetravel #riupalacepeninsula #dreamssandscancunresort #dreamssands #grandfiestaamericana #grandfiestaamericanacoralbeach #hyattzivacancun ♬ original sound – Svetlana Morris
Minimal Sargassum Arrival Projected
Sargassum monitoring specialists are also reporting that the presence of sargassum will continue to be minimal for the remainder of the season.
Typically September is when the Mexican Caribbean starts seeing less of the annoying seaweed.
But satellite monitoring by the National Autonomous University of Mexico is showing that there are no huge masses of the seaweed out to sea at the moment.
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@ahoyvacations Cancun is a great place for a vacation but did you know some areas have a lot of sargassum over the summer? This year it started as early as April! #cancunvacation #allinclusiveresort #familyvacation #summervacation #travelwithkids #beachvacation @Bianca | Travel Agency Owner ♬ original sound – Bianca | Destination Weddings
Sargassum In The Mexican Caribbean In Recent Years
Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean in recent years has been worse than it was a decade ago.
Huge masses of the seaweed have been forming in the Atlantic Ocean over the last couple of years.
It gets carried to the Mexican Caribbean by currents and washes up on the shore of the region’s beautiful beaches.
@chrisericasteeves Harvesting sargassum on the beaches of Cancun. #cancunmexico #springbreak #sargassum #SeeHerGreatness ♬ original sound – Blake Shelton
How Officials Control Sargassum To Minimize Effect On Tourists
The presence of sargassum on Mexican Caribbean beaches in places like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum is an eyesore for tourists visiting the region.
For this reason, officials make a major effort to try to control it and keep it off of the beaches as much as possible.
Sargassum barriers and sargassum collection are the main methods of minimizing the effects of sargassum, but more efficient methods are being researched.
How To Avoid Sargassum Cancun And The Mexican Caribbean
The only real way to avoid sargassum in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean is to visit outside of sargassum season.
There are also certain areas that receive less sargassum than others, like Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte.
Aside from going somewhere that gets less sargassum, you’ll want to visit between the months of September/ October and May, typically.
Where To Swim When The Beaches Are Filled With Sargassum
When the beaches are filled with sargassum in Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations, fortunately, there is somewhere else to take a dip and cool off.
Cenotes are naturally formed swimming holes that form by limestone caves collapsing in.
They fill with rain and underground water to make beautiful swimming holes, and there are hundreds of them in the Mexican Caribbean.
Other Ways To Avoid Sargassum
Cancun and most other Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations have plenty of things to do if sargassum makes the beaches undesirable during your vacation.
There are archaeological sites to explore, jungles filled with adventure, underground rivers, underwater marine parks, adventure parks, and so much more.
While the Mexican Caribbean is known for its beaches, there is much more to explore.
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