Due to the strong east-to-west flowing winds, the monitoring network is anticipating that this mass of 5,000 km2 (3,100 mi2) will hit the waters of the Mexican Caribbean in the coming weeks. They expect that the mass will arrive in waves hitting mainly in the Southern Zone of the State, in about two weeks.

Join or FB Seaweed Reporting Groups:

• Mexico Sargassum Seaweed Updates (Cancun, PDC, Tulum, etc.)
• Dominican Republic Sargassum Seaweed Reports (Punta Cana, Cabarete, etc.)
• Sargassum Seaweed in Caribbean | Monitoring and Daily Updates
• Sargassum Seaweed Florida: Daily Updates and Photo Reports

This comes after approximately 135 tons were expected to wash ashore on the tranquil waters of the Mexican Caribbean in mid-April. In total, this year there is expected to be between 200 and 300 thousand tons of sargassum washing on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean according to the Sargassum Monitoring Network.

The rotting, stinking algae is composed of gas-filled structures that keep the brown seaweed buoyant and make its way to all Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and Southeast Florida. When washing ashore, not only does it stink, but it is not advised to swim next to it as it can cause the skin to turn red and into an itchy rash.

While it is harmful to humans, the seaweed helps with shoreline stability and is home to many marine species and the algae helps with erosion and provides beach plants with nutrients.

Along with the Mexican Caribbean, the massive amounts of sargassum have impacted other destinations in the Caribbean region, such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and even the Florida Peninsula.

In the Dominican Republic, hoteliers and local authorities are cleaning beaches every morning and installing ocean barriers as sargassum peaks between May and August on the country’s shores.

The post Seaweed Alert: 5,000 Square Kilometers Of Sargassum Heading To Mexican Caribbean appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

For a number of years now, sargassum has been washing ashore in massive quantities on Caribbean coasts, making it a nightmare for beachgoers and a threat to sea animals in shallow waters.

The phenomenon has been linked to an excess of nutrients in the ocean and an increase in global temperatures.

Sargasumm by itself is harmless to humans but it definitely affects vacationers’ beach experience.

Join FB Group: Dominican Republic Seaweed Reporting

When is Sargassum Season in the Dominican Republic?

According to reports, in the Dominican Republic sargassum is peaking between May and August but it can vary each year depending on meteorological factors affecting the Atlantic Ocean.  

This seaweed is rarely seen between November and May because lower temperatures don’t favor its reproduction. So you might want to plan your holidays accordingly. 

So far in the 2024 season, the sargassum situation in the country is under control. Some beaches are seeing increased quantities of algae, while others are almost sargassum-free.

Related: Mexico Sargassum Daily Updates 2024: Cancun, Tulum, PDC, etc.

Recent Seaweed Updates from the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)

Hoteliers and local authorities are on top of the issue, cleaning beaches every morning and installing ocean barriers to catch the algae before it washes ashore, in order to provide vacationers with an unforgettable beach experience.

Take a look at this timeline to get an overall picture of the current situation on some of the most popular beaches and how it evolves. This report is based on data from the Algues sargasses Punta Cana and Sargassum Seaweed Updates Dominican Republic FB groups.

May 1 – 9: Punta Cana has been seeing a surge in sargassum seaweed

Photos uploaded on May 9 by Rick Ram shocked ‘Algues sargasses Punta Cana’ FB community. It was the biggest arrival of the 2024 seaweed season in the Dominican Republic. After 4-hours of cleaning by a tractor, the beach was completely sargassum-free, according to Rick’s following video post.

Viral video of tractor cleaning sargassum seaweed in the morning:

May 1: Latest sargassum seaweed distribution satellite map and forecast

NOTE: As scientists suggest, this satellite image should be only taken as an estimation as the sargassum seaweed flow is very unpredictable.

This map was released on MAY 1 and it suggests that the major arrival is coming in the next weeks/months. The arrows on the map suggest the flow of the sargassum and the distance from the Caribbean islands.

April 22 – 30:

The annual sargassum seaweed invasion in the Caribbean has been very mild in 2024 due to lower sea temperatures. The Dominican Republic has been seeing an increase in sargassum seaweed in the last 2 weeks but it’s nowhere as bad as in Mexico. The situation is under control and regular morning clean-ups keep the famous Punta Cana beaches mostly clean.

April 30, 2024: Riu Palace – Punta Cana – Seaweed Level LOW

April 21:

– significant sargassum at Riu Palace after the morning clean up.

– Bavaro Beach, outside of Bavaro Princess Resort, one of the 10 most amazing beaches in the world as per National Geographic, reported no sargassum. 

April 20:

– Bavaro beach had a little bit of sargassum in the water but nothing that could disturb swimmers. 

– The Cortecito beach, outside of Impressive Punta Cana resort, had some sargassum on the beach but the water was clean. 

April 19:

– Cabeza de Toro beach, outside of Dreams Flora resort, had no sargassum.

April 14:

– Bavaro beach had a strong presence of sargassum on both the beach and in the water. 

What’s causing sargassum seaweed in the Dominican Republic?

The exact cause of the annual seaweed invasion in the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribben is not scientifically proven yet. Various studies suggest sargassum growth is related to global warming, chemicals used in agriculture and human pollution in the ocean.

The post Dominican Republic Sargassum Seaweed In 2024 (Daily Updates) appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Also known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, the Sargasso Sea is an extensive area of around 1,100 kilometers (600 nautical miles) wide and 3,200 km (1,750 nmi) long in the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s considered the largest seaweed mass on the planet and shares borders with no countries. 

Despite its calm blue waters, there have been reports of ships getting trapped in this vegetal blob when winds are strong.

In “normal” environmental conditions, the Sargasso Sea is an important marine ecosystem, key in the migration of multiple European and American species like the European eel, the American eel, and the American conger eel.

Other species, such as certain types of fish, sea turtles and crustaceans, use this “golden island” to reproduce or protect themselves from natural predators.

In an attempt to promote the creation of a “global network of marine sanctuaries under the Global Ocean Treaty,” Greenpeace found a “shocking” amount of plastic garbage in some sargassum beds when navigating the area.

In one of the floating mats, they “retrieved more than 300 pieces of plastic in just 30 minutes including bottle caps, disposable lighters, buoys, shoes, children’s toys and dozens of smaller scraps in the process of breaking down into microplastics,” reads a Greenpeace statement. 

“We saw large pieces of plastic debris tangled inside it. On closer inspection, every clump of seaweed contained a panoply of plastic pollution, from bottle caps to disposable cutlery,” stated Briony Venn, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace UK.

The main objective of this environmental organization is to press the UK government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and to join forces with other international governments to elect the Sargasso Sea as the first sea sanctuary in international waters.

This effort should go together with reducing single-use plastic under the Global Plastic Treaty, as per the organization.

According to scientists, plastic is now present in all oceans on the planet. This material has been found in the bodies of “44% of all seabird species, 22% of cetacean species, and in all sea turtle species,” Greenpeace says.

The post Greenpeace Finds Shocking Quantities Of Plastic In The Sargasso Sea appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Beaches most affected by high concentrations of algae include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Sian Ka’an, and certain areas between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.

However, accurately predicting which beaches will be affected and to what extent is extremely difficult, as conditions change almost daily and often without notice.

Join our Seaweed/Sargassum Cancun FB group where locals and tourists post photos and videos from the area

Read on for the latest information on the sargassum situation at Mexicos’ beaches.

Sargassum Seaweed Cancun Right Now (MAY 7 Update)

Sargassum season in Cancun has been very good in 2024 but recently there has been an increase. There are morning clean-ups organized by resorts which keep the beaches mostly clean until afternoon.

Mexican Caribbean Coast Sargassum Seaweed Map

The latest sargassum seaweed MAP of the Quintana Roo coast was issued on April 29, 2024.

Note: The situation changes every day in unpredictable ways, so you take this information as an estimation. You can count on Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres as clean destinations. As for Cancun, seaweed levels are low but depending on the current it can change from day to day.

Sargassum Seaweed Distribution Across the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean – Satellite Report

Latest Cancun photo updates:

Cancun video update (by Traveling Lifestyle) – April 24, 2024

The walk was recorded on April 24 on Playa Delfines passing famous resorts:

• Iberostar Selection Resort Cancun,
• Seadust Cancun Family Resort,
• Royal Caribbean Cancun,
• Wyndham Grand Cancun Resort,
• Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun,
• Paradius Cancun Resort,
• JW Marriot Cancun Resort & SPA,
• Hard Rock Resort Cancun.

Here are some of the live cameras from Cancun Resorts:

• The Royal Haciendas 2
• The Royal Sands Live Webcam Phase 1
• Cancún desde Hotel Iberostar

Daily Seaweed Updates and Beach Photos (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, etc.):

May 2 – May 7

Viral videos from different parts of the Mexican Caribbean are circulating the internet and continue to impact tourism as the sargassum season slowly starts peaking in the region.

Playacar MAY 3 – Video report from the walk in front of popular resorts (RIU Palace, Reef Hotel, Iberostar Playacar, Viva by Wyndham etc.)

April 30 – May 1

The situation in Playa del Carmen is out of control in some of the beaches. The cleaning crew struggles to keep up with constant (24h) seaweed arrival.

Here are some latest seaweed photo updates from Holbox, PDC, Tulum and Puerto Aventuras:

April 24 – 29

Latest photo updates from Puerto Morels and Playa del Carmen

April 22 – 23

Tankah Bay and Paradius

Playa Caracol, the cleanest beach in Cancun, zero seaweed – April 22, 2024

April 20 – 21

Sarah G. said in her FB report: “Today in Tulum. Sargassum is here. But they are doing a good job of mitigation. It’s different everywhere but also not really in the water or stinky. No complaints.”

“The worst photo is La Zebra. The other two are equidistant in either direction. Enjoy.” she continued.

April 17 – 19

Latest news, photos, and video from recent seaweed arrival

Sargassum seaweed alert in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean has been raised for the first time in 2024 by the local officials.

The arrival of the sargassum continues as predicted. According to photos submitted to our FB reporting group and information from our journalist in the area, the situation is at its worst in 2024.

This increase in the sargassum prompts the Mexican Navy to install more barriers along the Cancun and other parts of the coast.

Video report from Puerto Morelos (by Traveling Lifestyle)

April 15 – 16

Another wave of sargassum is expected in the upcoming weeks

Mexican officials expect another wave of seaweed on the beaches of popular destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, and Cozumel.

Latest photo & video updates:

April 13 – 14

Latest update on Mexico’s seaweed situation from the FB reporting group. Photos from Playa del Carmen, Akumal and Puerto Morelos

April 11 – 12

Latest photos from Playa del Carmen, Playa Car, and Puerto Morelos

Massive Arrival of Seaweed to Mexican Caribbean from April 6

Massive invasions of seaweed started happening in the Mexican Caribbean. From April 6, people started uploading photos into our FB seaweed reporting group with huge amounts of seaweed on the beaches of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, etc. This invasion continues throughout the week and it’s most likely caused by increased temperatures in the Caribbean.

Here are some photos from our FB group (April 7 – 10):

When Does Seaweed Season Start In Cancun (Mexican Caribbean)?

According to the data from the last 2 years, seaweed season in Cancun starts in February and peaks between April and August. Some parts close to Cancun, such as Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Morelos see the start of the peak already in February.

What is the seaweed sargasso and what is causing it?

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that floats on the ocean surface and is known for forming large masses or “blooms.” It is distinctive for its leafy appearance and air-filled bladders that aid in buoyancy.

The recent increases in sargassum blooms, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, are attributed to various factors including nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff and human waste, climate change, and altered ocean currents. These factors contribute to an environment conducive to the rapid growth and accumulation of sargassum, leading to significant environmental and economic impacts on coastal regions.

The post Cancun Sargassum Seaweed Area DAILY 2024 Updates and MAP appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

For all these years, this harmless algae used to provide shelter and food for marine species. But not anymore.

Over the last decade, this seaweed has been growing uncontrollably, massively arriving at coasts all the way from West Africa up to South Florida, passing from all countries surrounded by Caribbean waters, including Mexico.  

In Quintana Roo alone, authorities have collected over 200 tons of sargassum in the last 4 years, according to Huguette Hernández Gómez, Secretary of Ecology and Environment of the State. In other words, a total nightmare.

According to experts, sargassum is posing a marine risk never seen before. The worst part is that they don’t really know what exactly is causing this phenomenon or how to mitigate it.

Among other things, sargassum forms a barrier that blocks sunlight preventing marine organisms from carrying out photosynthesis. 

In a 2021 study published by Climate Change Ecology, sargassum beds were found guilty of decreasing sunlight entry by 73% and increasing water temperature by 41°F.

Sargassum “mainly affects species that cannot move or move very little, such as starfish, sea urchins, seagrasses and, of course, corals,” reported the biologist María García Rivas, Director of Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. 

Another study published by Marine Pollution Bulletin analyzed the damage caused by the rotting of the algae on Mexican Caribbean beaches in 2018, in which creatures from 78 species died, especially crustaceans and demersal and neritic fish that live on the seabed.

Still, the worst impacted species is the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest in the world, comprising Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, because it’s being “suffocated” by massive amounts of sargassum.

In Colombia, the mountains of sargassum accumulated in key protected islands are preventing sea tortures from reaching the sea before being depredated.  

“We observed that baby turtles had problems crossing the sargassum barrier and were vulnerable to predation by ghost crabs, rats and other predators,” informed Briggite Gavio, a marine biology professor at the National University of Colombia.

Academic pairs in Antigua and Barbuda and Florida have reported the same issue.

In countries like Belize, sargassum is sweeping along marine litter, suffocating multiple organisms and making the environment toxic in the process, says James Foley, oceans director at Nature Conservancy.

Last but not least, Sargassum also appears to be killing Caribbean mangroves, which are saltwater trees that defend coastlines from extreme hurricanes. 

These organisms live in the seashore but their roots need oxygen to survive. The problem is that sargassum is acting as an oil spill, suffocating its roots, says Camilo Trench, a Jamaican marine biologist at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Costs for the Tourism Industry and Governments 

Being Mexico one of the most visited countries in the world, it’s also the one paying the highest price. Tourism reduces but expenses skyrocket. 

In 2023, Mexico’s Navy Secretariat spent $3 million collecting seaweed, purchasing sargasero ships and installing anti-sargassum barriers.

The Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone spent $7 million doing the same and Quintana Roo’s government spent $1.7 million to combat sargassum.

For their part, resort managers have spent thousands of dollars hiring cleaning personnel to keep beaches acceptable for beachgoers. 

In 2024, spending is expected to be similar.

Seaweed video report from Playacar, Mexico:

The post Decade of Sargassum: How’s Brown Algae Damaging Caribbean Ecosystems and Tourism appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

“You can’t swim. Boats are stuck. Rocks are buried. There is no human force that can handle this sargassum,” said @chachorivera in a viral YouTube video last week.

A short version of that video has over 1.6 million views on his TikTok account.

The YouTuber explains that the biggest arrival of seaweed is concentrated in the center of Playa del Carmen and that other beaches in the municipality are almost clean, like Playa Mamita.

In the footage, workers are operating heavy machinery to collect algae. But there are so many tons of organic material that those efforts look pointless.

“Hoteliers only want to profit from the beaches, but they do not invest to solve the problem,” a user lamented.

But the thing is that they do. Some resorts have even hired hundreds of workers to keep their own beaches clean.

“Some hotels have up to 300 employees ready to collect sargassum, depending on the resort’s size, because there are some with very large beach fronts,” said Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres.

For their part, national and local authorities have invested millions in new “sargasero” vessels, ocean barriers and heavy machinery to collect sargasum in the open sea as well as on the beach.

The Navy Region is “installing up to 8,600 meters of anti-sargassum barriers. This reinforces the labor of 22 small boats, an ocean vessel, four beach sweepers, 11 algae collectors, and eight amphibious bands to control sargassum in 2024.”

Another Facebook user reports a worrisome situation in Playacar, where waters look absolutely brown and uninviting.

“…And this is just two km up towards the ferry pier at Playacar beach as well – Impossible to enter the water last two days and it’s piling up – maybe less cleaning going on the weekend ..,” Nora K.

The hard truth is that sargassum is increasingly becoming an uncontrollable issue. Its arrival is impacting marine life and tourism from West Africa to South Florida.

The tourism sector is being heavily impacted because sargassum makes aquatic activities difficult or impossible. Let alone that, when it decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas that smells like rotten eggs.

Marsh’s team, some researchers from the University of York, the West Indies, and Ghana have created SARTRAC, a multidisciplinary team to forecast and monitor sargassum.

According to these experts, by 2050, sea waters would be too hot for sargassum to survive in the Atlantic Ocean, so it might start invading the coasts of Portugal and the Canary Islands in Spain.

The post Shocking Videos Of Sargassum Invading This Popular Mexican Beach Town Go Viral appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

According to the latest update from University of South Florida scientists, Florida will start seeing the peak of the sargassum seaweed invasion in late May this year.

Join our FB group where Florida’s locals post the latest photos and videos on Sargassum Seaweed in FL

Latest Updates on the Seaweed Situation in Florida:

April 25 – May 4: Latest photo reports from Sargassum Seaweed Florida Reporting FB Group

Seaweed season 2024 is in full swing in Florida and it’s about to start peaking! Most affected areas are expected to be Key West and the Florida Keys.

April 25, 2024: Latest photo updates

April 25, 2024: Florida seaweed forecast: The invasion to start in late May this year

According to the Palm Beach Post, scientists from the University of Florida predict a potentially massive sargassum seaweed invasion in May.

Official seaweed season in the Caribbean has already started but it has been very mild up until the middle of April. Caribbean places such as Cancun, Tulum, and Punta Cana are usually strongly affected and started seeing higher seaweed arrivals only in the past 2 weeks. This delay was most likely caused by lower sea temperatures in the Caribbean this winter.

“Unlike most previous years, total sargassum amount decreased from about 9 million metric tons in February to about 6.5 million metric tons in March,” a report from USF’s Optical Oceanography lab stated earlier this month. “The total amount in March was still above the 75% of all previous March months, indicating 2024 could still be a major sargassum year.” according to scientists.

January 15, 2024: Another record blob of sargassum was measured in the Central Atlantic Ocean

University of South Florida scientists have reported a significant increase in sargassum, a type of seaweed, in the Central Atlantic, near the Caribbean Sea. As of December 2023, the mass of sargassum reached nearly 5 million metric tons, a substantial increase from the 1 million metric tons recorded at the same time in the previous year.

This amount sets a new historical record for the region. Despite a 15% decrease in May 2023, which deviated from the 2022 record high of 22 million metric tons, researchers anticipate 2024 to be another major year for sargassum growth.

Currently, the majority of this seaweed mass is located about 500 miles east of the Caribbean Sea, with significant blooms also observed near Venezuela’s Orinoco River, affecting areas like Trinidad and Tobago and the southern Caribbean Sea.

What’s causing the seaweed problem?

A 2020 study, involving research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has linked the surge in sargassum in the tropical Atlantic Ocean to a shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) around 2009-2010.

This change led to stronger west and south winds, which dispersed sargassum from the Sargasso Sea into the tropical Atlantic, where it received more sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling.

The longevity of this increased sargassum presence is uncertain, with NOAA’s Rick Lumpkin noting the possibility of a similar event occurring in the past, followed by a decline of the Sargassum belt after several decades.

What could be done? These are possible alternative uses of sargassum heading to Florida, according to a new startup

The surge of sargassum seaweed in recent times has triggered businesses to explore novel methods of eliminating it, and its potential uses are already manifold.

Scientists and entrepreneurs aspire to transform it into syrup, bricks, and conceivably even jet fuel. Carbonwave, an organization based in Boston and Puerto Rico, is utilizing it as a constituent in fertilizer, cosmetics, and even synthetic leather.

REPORTS & UPDATES FROM SEAWEED SEASON 2023

The last sargassum seaweed season was predicted to be devastating and the worst ever. There was 5,000 miles long seaweed belt measured by scientists at Florida University which was heading towards the Caribbean and Florida. Fortunately, in July 2023, the seaweed belt shrunk by 75% and did not pollute the beaches as expected. Therefore, this year is hard to predict!

July 18: Latest seaweed news and photos from Florida

June 1: Jupiter Dog Beach

June 1: Panama City Beach

May 22: Latest photos and reports from travelers and locals in Florida

Here are a few latest photos and updates from different areas around Florida. Join our group “Sargassum Seaweed Updates Florida” and ask about any particular area.

May 22: Bahia Honda State Park Seaweed Report

May 21: Melbourne Beach Seaweed Report

May 16: Bal Harbour Beach Seaweed Report

Key West – Southernmost Point of the Continental USA (April 30)

The post Sargassum Seaweed In Florida, Florida Keys & Key West 2024: Daily Reports appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

For years, travelers have taken to social media to alert other visitors against visiting this town due to its trash, unwelcome graffiti, insane motorcycle traffic, beggars, and more. But that is about to change.

The newly appointed major, Ramón Candelaria, is determined to tackle these issues and, for starters, he has declared a “State of Emergency” due to the 75-100 tons of litter the city produces daily. 

“Boca Chica municipality is officially in a state of emergency, because it is generating between 75 and 100 tons of garbage per day, and on weekends it increases due to beachgoers,” he said. “The illegal landfills were created due to the latest administration’s lack of action,” said Candelaria.

Committed to improving the looks of the municipality, the new mayor launched an extensive operation to clean up garbage and eliminate illegal landfills on his very first day in office.

The clean-up started at 11:00 am with the support of the Executing Unit of the Presidency of the Republic regarding matters of solid waste (ECO 5). Around 60 people, 14 trucks, 1 retro shovel, and 3 mechanical shovels were used to complete this task.

Sargassum Situation in the Dominican Republic Beaches

Seaweed sargassum in the Dominican Republic is another type of garbage affecting its amazing beaches. 

Fortunately, resort managers and DR authorities have developed strategies to collect sargassum every day, both at the beach and in the open sea.

This timeline shows the overall seaweed situation over the last few days. This information has been retrieved from Algues sargasses Punta Cana and Sargassum Seaweed Updates Dominican Republic FB groups.

May 2

– Arena Gorda Beach, the beach where Riu Palace Punta Cana is located, was nearly sargassum-free this day.

– Playa Bávaro, Majestic Elegance Resort’s beach, was sargassum-free.

May 1

– Juanillo Beach, Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa’s beach, presented a low-medium level of sargassum.

– Arena Gorda Beach, Riu Palace Punta Cana’s beach, had medium levels of sargassum but it was quickly picked up by authorities.

Abril 30 

– Arena Gorda Beach, Riu Palace Punta Cana’s beach, had very low levels of seaweed but the waters were clean.

– Playa Bávaro, Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort’s beach, had small patches of seaweed but nothing that could ruin travelers’ day at the beach.

The post Dominican Republic Beach Town Declares State Of Emergency, Facing Crisis Beyond Seaweed Woes appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

“Some hotels have up to 300 employees ready to collect sargassum, depending on the resort’s size, because there are some with very large beach fronts. However, if sargacero vessels are put in operation, collection will be much easier. They have worked,” said Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres.

Resorts managers have also spoken to authorities regarding the ocean barriers to prevent the seaweed from washing ashore.

“We have been talking for months with the Naval Region Admiral, and thanks to that, anti-sargassum barriers are being placed from Puerto Morelos to Mahahual… These barriers significantly reduce the arrival to the beach,” Almaguer stated.

Some of the most popular beaches in Quintana Roo are installing up to 8,600 meters of anti-sargassum barriers. This reinforces the labor of 22 small boats, an ocean vessel, four beach sweepers, 11 algae collectors, and eight amphibious bands to control sargassum in 2024, according to REPORTUR.mx.

For its part, the Secretary of Navy (Semar) has 22 smaller vessels ready to support the “Natans” ship operations, according to El Heraldo.

Hoteliers are also lobbying for the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) to rethink the type of population the state houses so the national government allocates more funds for the particular issues this region has, sargassum, for instance. 

Meanwhile, due to low temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, sargassum season in Quintana Roo started several weeks later than usual.

So far, the most affected beaches include Playa del Carmen, Sian Ka’an, Cozumel, Tulum, and some coasts between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.

But it doesn’t mean these beaches are dirty all day long. Authorities work unstoppably to clean them as soon as possible. 

For the time being, tourism projections have been positive and hoteliers expect figures to continue growing during the rest of the year.

“We had a very good (Easter) season. That serves as a base for the rest of the year. It is very important to have passed Holy Week without serious incidents,. We all know that it is complicated because there is a lot of land tourism. But we are very happy. We are having good results and we hope to continue like this,” Almaguer stated.

The post Mexico’s Beach Resorts Increase Staff To Fight Sargassum Ahead Of Summer 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

In 2024, sargassum seaweed season in Cancun was better until last week when the whole Mexican Caribbean saw an influx of seaweed on the beaches.

Thankfully, not all beaches have been equally affected by the presence of Sargassum. We have curated a comprehensive selection of beaches in the Cancun area with low amounts of Sargassum.

Caracol Beach – Hotel Zone

Caracol Beach is located in the Northern part of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. As it doesn’t have the same current as the main beaches, the waters are more calm with less seaweed.

It’s located in Punta Cancun which is a prime location with restaurants, bars and some of the best Cancun resorts such as Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, Hotel Riu Cancun, and Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas. Playa Caracol is a public beach, so it’s easy to reach even if you’re not staying in one of the resorts.

It’s also known as one of the best beaches for families as the waves are not strong and there are no dangerous currents.

Isla Contoy

Spanning a mere 5 miles in length, the island’s pristine white sand, untouched by sargassum, stands as its undeniable centerpiece, drawing visitors in with its sheer beauty.

Isla Mujeres Playa Centro

Playa Centro, famous for its pristine white sand and stunning waters, stands as one of Quintana Roo’s most beautiful beaches. It is no wonder that a visit to Isla Mujeres is a must-do for many tourists during their stay in Cancun.

You can get to Isla Mujeres by ferry from Puerto Juarez which is located only 15 minutes from Cancun. It only takes about 15 minutes and it goes every 30 minutes.

Isla Mujeres – Punta Sur

Punta Sur, although not a traditional beach, is a perfect retreat to evade sargassum. Marvel at the extraordinary sculptures and captivating coastline.

This rocky shore showcases the remarkable artwork of over 20 skilled Mexican painters, along with fascinating traces of Mexican archaeology. Capture stunning photos of the sargassum-free Caribbean Sea, making it an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts.

Chiquila Beach

A serene beach in Chiquila, away from Cancun’s hustle, provides a peaceful retreat and perfect getaway from seaweed.

Indulge in delicious seafood while lounging on the sand. Chiquila’s port offers daily excursions to Holbox Island for adventurous travelers.

Holbox Island is located 37.8 miles (60.9 kilometers) from Cancun and can be easily reached by car or shuttle bus but you will have to take a ferry after. There are no cars on the island, so you if you’re coming with a rental car, you’ll need to leave it at the port. The ferry ride takes around 25 minutes.

Playa Tortugas

Playa Tortugas is a captivating destination renowned for its stunning beaches and serene atmosphere. Situated in the North of Cancun, it gets less seaweed compared to other beaches in Cancun.

It can be conveniently accessed by cab, allowing visitors to explore the lively entertainment areas of Cancun at their leisure.

Playa Ballenas

Playa Ballenas in Cancun is a must for beach lovers looking for a piece of paradise without sargassum. With its pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, this idyllic beach offers a tranquil and picturesque retreat. Relax under the swaying palm trees, soak up the warm rays of the sun, and let the refreshing ocean waves carry you away. Whether you want to relax, enjoy water activities like snorkeling, or simply admire the breathtaking coastal scenery, Playa Ballenas has it all.

Plus, the beach is close to hotels, restaurants and amenities, so you are guaranteed a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Escape to Playa Ballenas and enjoy the beauty and tranquility that Cancun has to offer.

The post These Are 7 Beaches Near Cancun Without Seaweed appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.