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Will the sargassum hit Cancun 2023?

The 7 Cancun Beaches Most Affected By Sargassum So Far In 2023. Sargassum is making a slow but steady comeback in Cancun as the city inches closer to the start of the macroalgae season.



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Since 2011, 2023 still ranks in the top half of the worst sargassum seaweed seasons. With the latest data, USF researchers say in June, sargassum will likely decrease in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning beachgoers may not have such a smelly experience. The USF lab forecasts the decrease to continue through August.

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While much depends on wind and ocean currents, the forecast is that Sargassum seaweed will be minimal on Mexico's Caribbean Coast in summer 2023. However it's still wise to keep a watch on seaweed conditions as landings of sargassum can still occur.

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Massive seaweed bloom is largest seen And this year's bloom is the largest on record. As of April 2023, this year's sargassum bloom is headed for the Caribbean and east coast of Florida. While some areas are already seeing the sargassum come ashore, the bulk of it is expected to arrive in June or July.

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However due to ocean currents, the amount of seaweed landing on beaches in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico in June and July 2023 was lower than expected. There's more good news! The sargassum seaweed forecast for September 2023 is minimal seaweed in the Caribbean Sea.

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2023 To Be A Record Year For Sargassum In Cancun And The Mexican Caribbean. If you are planning a trip to Cancun or the Mexican Caribbean over the next few months, this news may not be the most welcome.

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From October to May to avoid seaweed If you want to dip into sargassum-free beaches, the best season is from October to May.

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The beaches in Playa del Carmen experience a seasonal seaweed influx that can change throughout the year. While efforts are being made to address the situation, visitors should know that the seaweed may impact their beach experience.

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2023 is shaping up to be a banner year for sargassum, a type of brown macroalgae now starting to wash up on beaches across the Caribbean. The thick dead tangled heaps of seaweed stink like rotten eggs and could cost many millions in holiday revenues this summer.

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In Mexico, sargassum seaweed season is generally between May and October each year. If you travel to the Caribbean coast of Mexico outside of that time period you can generally avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches. Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in March 2022.

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USF reports it remains difficult to predict exact timing and location for individual beaching events but substantial amounts of the seaweed are expected in May in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. June is forecast to be the likely peak of the 2023 season, but impacts are expected to continue into July.

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  • Grand Anse in St. ...
  • Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. ...
  • Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. ...
  • Palm Beach in Aruba, Dutch Caribbean. ...
  • Playa Porto Mari on Curacao, Dutch Caribbean. ...
  • Bloody Bay and Long Bay Beaches in Negril, Jamaica. ...
  • Beaches in Antigua & Barbuda.


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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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Avoid visiting during Christmas, New Year's, and especially Spring Break as these are the most hectic travel periods for Cancun. If possible, avoid Mexico's hurricane season, which stretches from late-July to late-October.

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Escape the 'blobs:' These beaches in Cancun have little to no seaweed
  • Isla Contoy. “Spanning just five miles long, the island's pristine white sand, untouched by sargassum, stands as its undeniable centerpiece, drawing visitors in with its sheer beauty. ...
  • Playa Tortugas. ...
  • Isla Mujeres Playa Centro. ...
  • Isla Mujeres - Punta Sur.


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Sargassum inundations occur mainly on the windward coast of Saint Lucia like most Eastern Caribbean Island States, with occasional landings occurring on the southwest coast. This influences which assets are impacted.

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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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How Does Isla Mujeres Avoid The Sargassum? One of Isla Mujeres's main reasons it can keep the sargassum at bay is due to its unique location. The island is located in a spot where ocean currents aren't favorable for sargassum, which means the seaweed is then less likely to wash up on its shores.

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In Mexico, sargassum seaweed season is generally between May and October each year. If you travel to the Caribbean coast of Mexico outside of that time period you can generally avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches. Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in March 2022. Credit: Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.

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