Why do Key West beaches smell?

As sargassum washes ashore every year in Key West, locals and visitors alike are primarily annoyed by the smell of the sargassum quantity on the beach. This giant blob of seaweed breaks up along the shore to create a mess on public beaches in Monroe County, but there's not too much danger involved.



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The seaweed itself is not harmful to humans, but decaying sargassum on beaches releases hydrogen sulfide that can impact people with breathing issues. That said, even decaying sargassum is not considered harmful because the gases disperse quickly on breezy beaches.

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You can also swim and enjoy other water sports like windsurfing and snorkeling as well as kayaking and paddleboarding in the clear, clean water inhabited by tropical fish.

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The water is very clear. There's a long stretch of beaches by the airport. Most of the Key West activity takes place on and around Duval Street, which ends at the ocean. Water varies with time of year and mother nature but clarity of water is best at the Fort Zack state park.

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It's not just any seaweed. It's sargassum – a large brown seaweed that never attaches to the sea floor.

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Our shores have shallow waters often resulting in sandbars, so the sun can reflect off the white sea floors and the surrounding microscopic plankton, which creates the gradient effect of clear-to-emerald-to azure-to-navy waters as you progress further out into the Gulf.

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Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is definitely a destination to consider if you're looking for Caribbean beach without seaweed for a family, couples or group vacation.

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The 20 best clear-water beaches in Florida are:
  • St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach.
  • Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island.
  • Inlet Beach, South Walton.
  • Clearwater Beach, Clearwater.
  • Destin Beach, Emerald Coast.
  • Smathers Beach, Key West.
  • Navarre Beach, Florida Gulf Coast.
  • Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach.


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The majority of the best beaches in Key West are found on the south side of the island facing the Atlantic Ocean. So the water is a bit chilly to be honest.

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On the hunt for the absolute clearest waters of Florida? Then, Destin Beach is the place to go. This beach is located in a coastal area called the Emerald Coast, which stretches about 100 miles through five counties in the idyllic Gulf of Mexico.

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If South Florida is ground zero for sea-level rise globally, then the Florida Keys are ground zero for sea-level rise in South Florida. The stunning stretch of islands, rich with history and a destination for locals and tourists is slowly disappearing.

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