The Seaweed Situation on Cozumel: 2023 Many beaches in Cozumel, in fact, much of the Yucatan Peninsula, are affected by Sargassum washing up on shore yearly. As recently as last Friday, beaches in Playa del Carmen and Tulum are estimating that nearly 80 tons of seaweed have washed up on their beaches.

In 2023, Cozumel did experience pulses of sargassum, but it fared significantly better than the mainland "Riviera Maya" destinations like Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Because Cozumel is an island, its geography provides a natural defense; most of the sargassum mats floating through the Caribbean current hit the eastern (windward) side of the island. This side is largely uninhabited and has rougher waters, so the impact on tourists is minimal. The western (leeward) side, where the major resorts, cruise ship piers, and famous "beach clubs" are located, generally remained clear and pristine throughout the 2023 season. While there were occasional "bad days" when the wind shifted, the water clarity for snorkeling and diving—Cozumel’s main draws—was largely unaffected. Local authorities and private beach clubs were also very proactive in 2023, employing cleanup crews to remove any seaweed that did wash up, ensuring that the island remained a top-tier destination even during the peak sargassum months of March through August.