Huge Increases In The Sargassum Levels As Temperatures Rise
The popular beach island of Isla Mujeres has seen more sargassum seaweed in the first twenty days of April than in the entirety of January, February, and March. Massive efforts are underway to move the seaweed every morning.
According to local workers, over 230 tonnes of the sargassum have been collected from the beaches of the island this month, a massive amount for such a small portion of the Mexican Caribbean. Estimates currently suggest that by May, that figure will have risen to around 500 tonnes.
The figures were provided by Antonio Delgado González, who is the director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat). Zofemat deals with a lot of the planning in regards to clearing the sargassum and coordination with the Navy who are currently installing seaweed barriers and trying to collect before it hits the shore.
Isla Mujeres is having to bring on as many city workers are possible to deal with the vast amounts of seaweed washing up on its shores. Zofemat has taken workers on themselves, alternating cleanup days with the local government. On top of the efforts of these groups, volunteers from the local community and new hires from the private sector are also chipping in with their specific areas of the beach.
Ensuring the area is useable for tourists isn’t easy work. According to Gonzalez, “the work starts at five in the morning on each beach, and from eight o’clock we are sending progress reports, which we mark with flags, depending on the quantity of the plant that is registered, that is, with red, yellow, green and blue flags”
He is also hoping that May will offer some possible respite for Isla Mujeres. Its location means that the arrival of the hurricane season can spread the sarcasm in other directions and make the job significantly easier.
Of course, Isla Mujeres isn’t the only area struggling with the seaweed. Up and down the Mexican Caribbean coast, towns are fighting the problems caused by sargassum. The Navy is being hit by setback after setback in its attempts to place the barriers in strategic locations.
Destinations like Playa del Carmen have been waiting on their barrier for almost a month at this point and are still required to wait at least one more week.
Sargassum is a much bigger problem than many unaware of it would assume. It forms in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, growing into a tangled mass that floats towards the Caribbean. Some of the knots of seaweed can be as long as five kilometers. It provides vital nutrients to the ocean while it floats around and offers an entire ecosystem for smaller sea creatures.
But as it moves inland, it begins to affect the tourism industry. The typically pristine beaches of the Caribbean find themselves covered in piles of unsightly brown seaweed sometimes as much as a meter high. Once it makes landfall, it begins to rot and produce an unpleasant sulfur-like smell that turns tourists in the opposite direction. Even before it hits the sand, the crystal blue waters associated with Quintana Roo are turned a murky brown color.
Every year the local government invests thousands into the fight against sargassum. As global sea temperatures continue to rise, the problem is only likely to get worse. It may start appearing earlier and staying longer, creating even larger mobilization efforts. Some beaches have been closed in the last few weeks due to the high volume of sargassum, although the most popular beaches across the state have been kept in check for the most part.
Most hotels are now giving regular updates on the sargassum levels, and those intending to visit the area should check-in before arrival to plan around any potential issues.
Sargassum season does usually continue through July & August and typically ends by September/October, but April through June is the PEAK period -- that's when it's worst -- coming every day and in large amounts. From July, it usually still comes but it begins to abate, so some good days and some bad days.
Currently, Holbox, Isla Contoy, Costa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres and Chetumal are reported to be seaweed-free (January 2024). Earlier last year, Tulum announced their “Tulum Against Sargassum” plan which will work to stop the seaweed from reaching the region's beaches by diverting it at sea.
There are a number of different theories for the rise in the seaweed in Mexico over the last few years. These include changing climate and wind patterns; nutrient-rich waters; and less hurricane activity, meaning the shredding of the seaweed by storms is reduced. However, there's no cause for concern.
Like many Caribbean destinations, Costa Mujeres can experience sargassum (seaweed) influxes, mainly from April to August. Resorts often clean beaches daily to minimize the impact.
It can vary from year to year -- last year, it began in mid-January. At the beginning of the "season", amounts tend to be light to moderate, and it doesn't always come every day -- so some good days, and some bad days. April through June is the peak period -- that's when it comes regularly in larger amounts.
The season begins between April and May and ends until August. During this time, the algae appear on the Mexican Caribbean beaches. Its presence has affected tourism in Holbox or Cozumel and much of the Coast of Quintana Roo.
If you want to dip into sargassum-free beaches, the best season is from October to May. Fun Fact: Some resorts like Seadust Cancun have made efforts to keep the seaweed from arriving at the shore by implementing a marine-life-friendly barrier.
The worst months for seaweed in Mexico and the Caribbean are typically from April to August. During these warmer months, there's usually the most build-up of sargassum on the beaches.
If you want to avoid the algae during your vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula, you should visit the islands off the coast. Islands have beaches in all four directions. Because of currents, the algae usually only appear in one direction and that is the east coast at the moment.
Top beaches in Mexico without seaweed for a beach vacation include Carrizalillo Beach (Puerto Escondido), Punta Mita, Mismaloya and Bucerias (near Puerto Vallarta) and Santa Cruz beach and San Agustin beach (Huatulco).
Is seaweed a problem in Tulum Mexico? Seaweed can be a problem in Tulum, particularly during warmer months in summer. The worst Tulum seaweed months are often from April to August, though that can vary by year. The best time to visit Tulum seaweed free is from November to January — the early winter months.
The best part is, there's hardly any seaweed because the existing ocean currents pull it farther south preventing it from having any real problems with the aquatic invading flora.
Seaweed in Cancun is one of the problems that the Caribbean beaches face the most and which is an issue that should not only be known by the locals of Cancun, but also by tourists. Fortunately for those who wish to visit beaches in Cancun without seaweed, the presence of sargassum does not occur throughout the year.
Tulum seaweed season runs from about April to October, but dates can vary because of ocean currents, water temperatures, etc. The seaweed Tulum beach has at times is a major problem — but not always!
Sargassum Forecast for Seaweed Season in Mexico in 2024
In Mexico, sargassum seaweed season is generally between May and October each year. If you travel to the Caribbean coast of Mexico outside of that time period you can generally avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches. Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in March 2022.
Sierra explains that seaweed season typically aligns with the humid, rainy months between May and October, so if you want to avoid seeing the pungent brown plant on the beaches and in the water, you'll want to plan a visit between November and April.
Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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