We are staying at Villa Palmar in Nuevo Vallarta. There is no sea weed problem on the west coast that I know of,,,,, especially in Banderias Bay. Many people swim in the ocean here. That's the other side (Caribbean) where they have that problem.
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Cancun and Riviera Maya are experiencing one of their most intrusive sargassum seaweed seasons ever. The dense, foul-smelling algae is a common site along shorelines, and Cancun and surrounding areas are seeing an influx at an alarming rate. Sargassum is not your average beach shrubbery; it can be dangerous.
While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free. However, much depends on winds and ocean currents.
Due to distance, speed of travel and currents, Cancun and Playa del Carmen beaches are expected to remain relatively free of the seaweed. The upcoming 2023 summer vacation holiday season for Cancun and Riviera Maya are forecast to be sargassum-free according to Esteban Jesús Amaro Mauricio.
Overview on Sargassum in Riviera Maya, Cancun, and TulumThe 2023 sargassum season started earlier than anticipated, beginning in February. Historically, the seaweed typically starts at the beginning of spring due to a rise in sea temperature, which accelerates the reproduction of the seaweed.
Since 2011, 2023 still ranks in the top half of the worst sargassum seaweed seasons. With the latest data, USF researchers say in June, sargassum will likely decrease in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning beachgoers may not have such a smelly experience. The USF lab forecasts the decrease to continue through August.
If you want to avoid the seaweed and still enjoy sea and sand, then don't worry. Thanks to their location, the islands of Holbox, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel all have west-facing beaches that are either relatively or completely sargassum-free.
When it comes to safety, Puerto Vallarta is the clear winner. For years, Puerto Vallarta has been deemed one of the most welcoming cities in Mexico for all types of visitors, and it has a low crime rate. While Cancun is still considered a safe place to visit, it has a higher crime rate than Puerto Vallarta.
Sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean typically runs from May through October, with July and August generally being the worst months for its arrival.
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.
Bits of Sargassum seaweed are washing ashore around Avenida 16-18 on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Giant blobs of Sargassum hug the shoreline next to the William O Lockhart Municipal Pier in Lake Worth Beach, Florida on June 1, 2023. Sargassum accumulates on the beach at Phipps Ocean Park Tuesday May 30, 2023 in Palm Beach.
The 7 Cancun Beaches Most Affected By Sargassum So Far In 2023. Sargassum is making a slow but steady comeback in Cancun as the city inches closer to the start of the macroalgae season.
Popular resort hubs, including Playa del Carmen and Tulum, have ramped up efforts to deter sargassum from affecting travelers. What is this? Both destinations have set up temporary barriers and hired more cleaners in an effort to attract more travelers.
Aids are so-called algae barriers. They prevent the seaweed from getting anywhere near the beaches. These barriers have been set up in front of the beaches around Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum and are now increasingly being used on other beaches.
Top Tip: Punta Esmeralda is a curved bay sheltered from the open sea, and thus receives less sargassum seaweed than other beaches in Playa del Carmen. If you're visiting during the sargassum season, which runs roughly from April to August, this might be the best place to swim in seaweed-free water.
The beaches in Playa del Carmen experience a seasonal seaweed influx that can change throughout the year. While efforts are being made to address the situation, visitors should know that the seaweed may impact their beach experience.