St. Thomas, unfortunately, is a different story. The beaches at Margaritaville, Sapphire and the Ritz, for example, all face east. This means that sargassum often affects those resorts.

Yes, there can be sargassum in St. Thomas, as it is affected by the larger Sargassum Seaweed Belt that circulates in the Atlantic Ocean.

However, the presence and severity of sargassum on the island’s beaches are highly variable depending on several factors:

Key Factors Influencing Sargassum in St. Thomas:

1. Seasonality: The peak season for sargassum influx in the Caribbean is typically from late spring through early fall (May to October), with the worst months often being June, July, and August. Winter months usually see very little to none.
2. Weather and Currents: Winds, tides, and ocean currents determine exactly where the seaweed washes ashore. A beach can be clear one day and have a line of seaweed the next, and vice versa.
3. Beach Location and Geography: Beaches on the north side of St. Thomas (facing the Atlantic Ocean) are generally more exposed to the sargassum belt and tend to see more accumulation. Beaches on the south side (facing the Caribbean Sea) are often more protected and may have little or no sargassum.
   • North Shore Examples: Magens Bay, Coki Point, and Sapphire Beach can be affected.
   • South Shore Examples: Lindquist Beach (Smith Bay), Morningstar Bay, and the beaches near Charlotte Amalie harbor often have less.

What to Expect & How to Check:

• It’s Not Constant: Sargassum comes in waves (literally). A beach may be impacted for a few days or