Despite the constant efforts of Cancun officials to keep sargassum off its otherwise stunning beaches, it is a natural phenomenon, and only so much can be done.
Sargassum barriers, sargassum collection ships, and various cleaning methods are all used to limit the amount of sargassum on the destination’s beaches.
During sargassum season, though, it’s often like fighting an endless battle.
But what if there was a place to go with less sargassum, and sometimes none at all?
A place with pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise water almost all the time?
There is a place like that.
It’s called Isla Mujeres, and this island near Cancun is perfect for escaping sargassum-covered beaches.
The Island Of Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small but stunningly beautiful tropical island that sits across from Cancun.
It only measures less than 5 miles long and half a mile wide, but it has a lot to offer for an island its size.
It has many of the things that Cancun has, just on a smaller scale, which makes for a more laid-back vacation.
The lack of massive amounts of sargassum makes it the perfect beach vacation destination too.
What Is Sargassum?
In simple terms, sargassum is seaweed, but it is much more complex than that.
It’s a macro-algae that gathers in the Atlantic Ocean in such large amounts that the mass of it has been named the Sargasso Sea.
From there it travels along ocean currents, often washing up on Florida’s beaches along the way, until it finally reaches the Mexican Caribbean coast.
Why The Island Gets Less Sargassum
The location of Isla Mujeres is what saves it from being slammed with as much sargassum as Cancun and most other Mexican Caribbean destinations.
This is because, as it travels down the coast, it tends to get caught up in Cancun instead.
Not great for Cancun, but at least there’s somewhere not far away to escape the sargassum.
Isla Mujeres Beaches With The Least Sargassum
Some beaches in Isla Mujeres do get more sargassum than others.
The ones that have the least right now are Punta Sur, Playa Lancheros, and Playa Centro, but Playa Mia and Playa Norte also have very minimal amounts of the seaweed too.
Playa Norte is Isla Mujeres’ most popular beach.
How To Get To Isla Mujeres
If you’re vacationing in Cancun and want to escape the sargassum, it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.
There are two ferry companies, Ultramar and Xcaret Sailing, that make the 20-30 minute trip to Isla Mujeres every hour from as early as 5:30 am until as late as midnight.
Adult roundtrip tickets are around $32 for the Ultramar ferry and $25 for the Xcaret.
There are also several boat tours that you can book that will provide you with a few hours in Isla Mujeres.
They range in price from around $55-$140 and typically include extras, like lunch, an open bar, and snorkeling equipment.
Things To See And Do On The Island
The beaches may be the biggest attraction in Isla Mujeres, but they’re not the only thing to keep you busy when visiting.
The Underwater Museum of Art is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts, and the marine life in the waters surrounding the island is amazing too.
There are also some great restaurants, cantinas, beach clubs, and shops around the island to check out, and plenty of water activities to enjoy during your visit to this beautiful, often sargassum-free tropical paradise.
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