There is sargassum floating around the island, but it really isn't that bad, and it is not affecting the most popular beaches here on St.John. I did see a few very small islands of it floating around the shore at Trunk Bay yesterday.
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Sargassum, a brown seaweed that can pile up along the beaches and bring an unpleasant stench, has been spotted in the USVI on multiple occasions over the years.
She said sargassum multiplies fast with warm waters and unfortunately with the ongoing heat that is impacting the region, the blooms will continue to impact the Territory. The Environmental Officer said that according to satellite tracking, the influx will continue but the volume will be moderate until October 2023.
- by Barbados Today March 10, 2023. Barbados is losing vast tracts of beachland annually due to the almost continuous influx of Sargassum Seaweed on its shores.
For example, in 2022, when mainland of Playa del Carmen, Mexico had a severe sargassum seaweed problem, the leeward beaches of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel were free of seaweed. And in Barbados, Carlisle Bay often has no issues with sargassum.
Due the flow of ocean currents around Barbados, the beaches on the east coast and the south south (short of Hilton hotel on the south-west point) were the most badly affected. West coast beaches were mostly unaffected, remaining with crystal-clear waters and pristine sandy shores.
In Grenada, Grand Anse regularly tops the list of the world's best beaches due to its crystal clear waters and its 2 kilometre long stretch of white sand dotted with palm trees. It's also blessedly free of sargassum seaweed.
Sargassum inundation occurs mainly on the east, southeast and south coasts with the west coast being generally unexposed due to the sheltered nature of the coastline.
Palm Beach in Aruba, Dutch CaribbeanIt's one of the most reliable Caribbean islands without sargassum. While there are several small, boutique-sized hotels in Aruba, here are two of our favourite large resorts on Palm Beach and Eagle Beach.
Trellis Bay in Beef Island, Handsome Bay in Virgin Gorda and Road Town Harbour in Tortola are some of the locations most heavily impacted by sargassum influxes.
Sargassum inundations occur mainly on the windward coast of Saint Lucia like most Eastern Caribbean Island States, with occasional landings occurring on the southwest coast. This influences which assets are impacted.
Rockley Beach – or Accra Beach, as it's often known – can't be beaten when it comes to family-friendly beaches in Barbados. Little ones can safely play in the calm waters on the southern end, while older children can boogie board the livelier waves further up the cove.
Swimming safetyCurrents can be deceptively strong, including on some of the popular beaches on the south and west coasts. Some beaches do not have lifeguards or warning flags. Swimming is not recommended on many of the east coast beaches where currents are particularly strong. Follow local warnings.
It's especially important to think about in 2023. There's been a record-breaking sargassum seaweed bloom in 2023 in the Caribbean Sea. In order to help you plan your beach vacation, we've created a list of Caribbean beaches not affected by sargassum seaweed historically.