how to prevent them from ruining your vacation

The nightmare of many vacationers heading to Mexico, sargassum is an unpredictable type of algae. On the country’s Caribbean coasts, it regularly forms vast colonies that float on the surface of the water before washing up on the seashore, where it ferments in the sun, giving off a very unpleasant odor. For the past ten years, it has massively invaded the white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya for miles, creating a thick brownish carpet that contrasts with the almost cyan blue water.

Which Mexican coasts are most affected by sargassum, and when?

The seaweed is present on almost all the beaches of the peninsula and Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are among the most affected areas. While a few years ago it was mainly observed from May to November, it is now impossible to refer to this possible “sargasso season” to organize a trip. Last March, only 5 beaches on the peninsula were free of sargassum out of the 80 beaches recorded in the area. Its appearance is earlier every year and its presence is increasingly marked. According to data provided by the government, a total of 54,000 tons of sargassum were collected throughout the state of Quintana Roo in 2022. That is 10,000 tons more than in 2021. In 2020, 19,000 tons were recorded.

Present in measured quantities, this algae does not pose any problem. It is even beneficial since it serves as a habitat for fish, shrimp, turtles and birds. The problems appear when it develops massively. First, offshore: when the sargassum floats in the open sea over vast areas, it creates a barrier that prevents sunlight from reaching coral reefs. Once on land, the piles of sargassum obstruct sea turtles that want to lay their eggs or reach the ocean. If these piles are not collected in time (ideally, one to two days after arriving on a beach), they begin to decompose and generate toxic gases that are harmful to marine life as well as to swimmers, who can suffer from headaches, nausea and skin rashes.

Heading for the cenotes

To be informed of the invasions of sargassum from France, contact the hotels located on the coast or go to the Facebook page “Observatorio Sargazo”: daily publications allow you to know in real time the state of the beaches of the peninsula. Finally, remember that the Riviera Maya is an exciting territory to explore and that it has other natural treasures in which it is just as pleasant to dive, such as the cenotes.

In video – Sargassum: what are these toxic algae that pollute the beaches?