Why is the ocean in Cancun Brown?

Since 2011, sargassum has worsened as a nuisance — possibly due to an influx of synthetic fertilizers into the Atlantic Ocean — with the brown algae washing up on Caribbean beaches where it rots, stinks like rotten eggs and devastates tourism, including in Mexico where 30 million go for beach holidays annually.



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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.

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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.

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The amount of sargassum seaweed in Cancun varies by season and even daily. Generally the worst months for seaweed are July and August.

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Like many other travelers, you've probably already heard about the seaweed or sargassum problem along the Quintana Roo coastline. Get to know more about Playa Mujeres: A Sargassum-Free Haven in Cancun, and prepare to enjoy a spectacular Caribbean getaway!

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Although the seaweed season runs from May until August, swimming is still permitted on all Cancun beaches.

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3. Be cautious at night if you're traveling alone – Cancún isn't the most dangerous place at night, but in some places, it's not as well lit as it should be. Don't walk around alone late at night if you can avoid it.

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Many beaches are closed to swimmers because they aren't safe—steep ocean floor drop-offs close to shore create strong waves and undercurrents, making it dangerous to enter the water. These beaches are clearly marked with red flags, warning swimmers to stay away.

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The best time to visit Cancún is from December to April during the peak season. Even though the crowds are heavier, you'll experience near-perfect weather and find some of the cheapest flight and room rates for a winter getaway at the beach.

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Seaweed and algae in the ocean´s floor, can darken the color of the water or give a green aspect to it. Plankton, algae and other organisms transform blue color into green. Also if there is seaweed floating light cannot penetrate the surface and shed light deep enough.

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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the brown water is due to a bloom called “sea sawdust.” “Sea sawdust,” also known as Trichodesmium, blooms every year in the Gulf of Mexico, FWC said. The blooms can extend for miles and even be seen from space.

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Sargassum is at its worst between April and August, peaking in July and August, although this year saw the seaweed arrive early, with some beaches being hit heavily in March.

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Playa Chac Mool The crystal clear jewel-toned waters are calm and great for swimming and wading. They also make for some of the best diving in Cancun. Visitors can also easily rent water sports equipment if they are looking for a bit more adventure on Playa Chac Mool.

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For example, some bacteria accumulating in the pipes when not used for a while can cause sickness. Also, it was mentioned that it can contain heavy metals that are not exactly good for our system. So, generally, tap water in Mexico isn't considered safe for drinking because you are far more likely to get sick from it.

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Puerto Vallarta — Safest Mexico Beach City Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the safest resort towns in Mexico. While it has these amazing Puerto Vallarta all inclusive resorts, you can of course stay-off resort and best just as safe.

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TRAVEL ADVICE: IS CANCUN SAFE? If you're thinking about a vacation and wondering, “Is Cancun Safe?” … the short answer is: the Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera, is the safest area of Mexico in 2023, according to the US State Department.

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Stick to downtown Cancun and the Hotel Beach Zone The latter has a 13-mile arc of beautiful white-sand beaches lined with resorts and hotels, and considered the safest part of Cancun.

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Playa Las Perlas, or Las Perlas Beach, is the closest public beach to downtown and offers shallow waters, water sports, and beautiful sand and water. The beach is a designated Blue Flag area, which means it has to follow strict standards for water quality, environmental care, and safety.

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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.

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Yes, and there's no need to spend a whole day to swim with turtles in Cancun! There are some other few places to snorkel with turtles in Cancun and Riviera Maya. For example, it's usual to swim with turtles in Akumal, however, you spend more time in transportation than actually swimming with them.

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From April to September, the Caribbean sea's turquoise waters change hues due to the presence of seaweed. If you want to dip into sargassum-free beaches, the best season is from October to May.

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