If you plan to visit Punta Cana in 2023, you may encounter some seaweed on the beaches. However, most hotels and resorts in the area have implemented measures to keep their beaches clean and seaweed-free.

2023 was a significant year for Sargassum (brown seaweed) in Punta Cana, characterized by record-breaking blooms that affected much of the Caribbean. The 2023 "seaweed season" peaked earlier than usual, with massive mats of sargassum arriving on beaches from March through July. While the Dominican Republic government and local resorts invested millions in "seaweed barriers" and daily tractor cleanups, many popular beaches experienced periods where the water was brownish and the smell of decaying algae was present. Looking at 2026, the sargassum situation remains an annual challenge, though monitoring technology has improved significantly. In 2026, tourists are advised that the "low-sargassum" window is generally November through April, which coincides with the dry season. Beaches like Bayahibe or Macao Beach are often "naturally" sargassum-free due to their geographic orientation and currents. If you are traveling during the summer months in 2026, it is wise to choose a resort that has an "active" cleanup crew or to use sargassum tracking apps to find the "clear" spots on the coast for that specific week.