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If you are planning your next vacation and on the lookout for a tropical destination that is free of sargassum, then Isla Mujeres is the perfect place for you.
This beautiful island is located off the coast of Cancun, just a 15-minute boat ride away, and has managed to avoid the recent invasion of sargassum that seems to have plagued many other places in the Mexican Caribbean.
How Does Isla Mujeres Avoid The Sargassum?
One of Isla Mujeres’s main reasons it can keep the sargassum at bay is due to its unique location. The island is located in a spot where ocean currents aren’t favorable for sargassum, which means the seaweed is then less likely to wash up on its shores. Another advantage is that it’s a relatively small island, therefore fewer beaches to maintain.
Isla Mujeres has a dedicated team of workers on the beach that keep the beaches clean and free of sargassum. These workers tend to patrol the beaches every day, removing any seaweed that appears. The small size of the island also allows the beach workers to focus their efforts on a smaller number of pristine beaches.
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In fact, the mayor of Isla Mujeres, Atenea Gómez Ricalde, is all about keeping the beaches clean and sargassum-free, particularly so that the island can remain a tourist hot spot – as stated in the New Agreement for the Welfare and Development of Quintana Roo, she’ll be teaming up with Mara Lezama Espinosa, the Governor of Quintana Roo, to facilitate this.
Even though November was officially the end of the usual sargassum season, and the season doesn’t usually start again until April or May, it seems that it’s been showing up a lot sooner than usual. So Antonio de Jesús Delgado González, the director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) of Isla Mujeres, has pledged to step up the cleaning efforts of the beaches which are most affected by the sargassum.
Which Beaches Are Sargassum Free?
Generally, you should be fine to visit any of them. Isla Mujeres boasts an array of pristine beaches that you can visit, some of which are Playa Centro and Playa Norte, where the people at Zofemat clean from 5-11 in the morning due to these beaches being some of the most popular among travelers – and the rest of the beaches are cleaned on a predetermined weekly basis.
Most cleaning work is being done at Punta Sam in the continental zone, whilst Isla Blanca is being cleaned at a significantly slower pace due to fewer tourists visiting because of its location.
As the sargassum sweeps into the Mexican Caribbean, efforts to fight it need to become more efficient and effective, and cleaning operations are being reinforced with lots more equipment and tools. Since January, nearly 400 tons of sargassum have been collected – a total of 60 locations have opened this year, including another 40, which are scheduled for April.
What To Do On The Island?
So if you plan on heading to Isla Mujeres anytime soon, there are so many things you can see and do on this island, and you might want to pre-book your accommodation soon, as tourism is booming here.
One of the more popular activities on the island is snorkeling, particularly if you are visiting the Garrafon Natural Reef Park, where you could also spend your day zip-lining or kayaking too. If you fancy taking a dip in the crystal clear waters, you have to go to the beautiful beach of Playa Norte, the island’s most famous beach.
In addition to all the natural beauty it has to offer, Isla Mujeres is known for its tasty cuisine and vibrant culture, food such as ceviche and cochinita pibil, which is a slow-roasted pork dish.
Find yourself getting lost wandering around the colorful streets and markets it has to offer, where you can find locally crafted items and unique souvenirs.
Whether you’re solo, with family and friends, or even on a romantic getaway – it definitely has something for everyone. With warm hospitality, idyllic location, white sands, and an abundance of activities, it’s no wonder why this island’s tourism is starting to boom and becoming a favorite among tourists, especially with the sargassum-free beaches.
It’s time to pack your bags and head to Isla Mujeres!
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