Similar algal aggregations in the same area have subsequently occurred in most years, increasing in size and stretching over 8,850 km or 5,499 miles along the central Atlantic from the coast of west Africa to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, garnering the name the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB).

In March 2026, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is currently exhibiting a massive presence across the Central Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Satellite observations and bulletins from the University of South Florida (USF) indicate that 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for the "brown tide." Currently, there are two large, distinct masses of algae: one in the eastern Atlantic near West Africa and another in the western Atlantic moving toward the Caribbean. These floating mats have already begun their westward march, fueled by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and high nutrient runoff. Major inundations are already being reported along the Mexican Caribbean coast (including Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen) and parts of the Lesser Antilles. While the Gulf of Mexico currently remains relatively clear, researchers warn that the Caribbean biomass is nearly double the historical average for this time of year. Travelers to popular tropical destinations are advised to check real-time "traffic light" monitoring systems, as the seaweed can arrive in colossal quantities overnight, creating a significant logistical and olfactory challenge for local tourism operators.