Are the beaches in Cancun still full of seaweed?

The ships including 4 ocean sweepers are currently operating in the ocean waters surrounding Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum. As of May 31, 2021 over 10 thousand tons of seaweed have been removed from the ocean and beaches in 7 municipalities around Quintana Roo.

Does Cancun still have a seaweed problem 2020?

For example, in 2020 (when many people weren’t traveling to these beach destinations), sargassum levels were actually quite low compared to previous years. However, 2018, 2019 and now 2021 are shaping up to be pretty bad when it comes to the prevalence of this noxious seaweed.

Why is the seaweed so bad in Cancun?

Other sources of nutrients include Saharan dust coming from Africa. The seaweed is moved from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt to Mexico and the Caribbean region by hitching a ride on currents. As it makes it way along these streams, the sargassum picks up more and more nutrients and continues to grow.

Is the seaweed still bad in Riviera Maya?

Update: As of last spring 2021 in the Riviera Maya the seaweed is coming back. If you are interested in current situations on different beaches or in front of hotels, this Facebook group has a lot of current information about the sargassum. The year 2020 has been the best year in the past 5 for seaweed amounts.

What are the worst months for seaweed in Cancun?

In the Caribbean, seaweed season is generally May to October. The worst time for seaweed in Cancun, the Dominican Republic and much of the Caribbean is during the summer months.

What months is seaweed bad in Cancun?

According to Nasa, 5.1 million metric tons of Sargassum has accumulated in a large patch and some will inevitably make its way towards Cancun in the months of June, July and August when the state of Quintana Roo says the seaweed season it at its worst.

Why is sargassum so bad?

Large quantities of Sargassum are washed up on the shores. There it rots, depleting the coastal waters from oxygen, releasing hydrogen sulphide and methane. And trapping marine life, coral reefs and fish. Apart from being an absolute nuisance, the seaweed is bad for tourism, on which many people depend.

Are Cancun beaches swimmable?

Cancun offers a few “Blue Flag” rated beaches. These are safe beaches for swimming. They also offer disabled friendly access to the water.

Are there any reports of seaweed in Cancun?

The Sargassum Monitoring Network of Cancun publishes daily reports of the situation on 60 beaches of the Mexican Caribbean, based on satellite and drone images, and photographs of citizens.

What kind of seaweed is on the beaches of Mexico?

The continued presence of sargassum seaweed (a.k.a sargasso, sargazo) on the beaches of Mexico continues to be a concern to many travelers.

How is the Mexican Navy dealing with seaweed?

Reconnaissance flights are carried out by Mexican Navy aircraft to check for any patches of seaweed that may reach the Mexican coasts. Coastal vessels are carrying out surveillance actions, while sargassum boats are carrying out the collection, and tractors and land sweepers are ready on land.

When does the Sargassum season start in Cancun?

Cancun seaweed conditions: 2021 sargassum season begins in the Mexican Caribbean 16/04/2021 Cancun seaweed update: The Sargassum Monitoring Network of Quintana Roo reports at least 14 points along the state’s coastline with abundant presence of sargassum, as well as in most of the island of Cozumel.