Can we swim despite the sargassum in Mexico?
Mexico is a destination of choice for lovers of the beach and water activities. In recent years, a new phenomenon has appeared: the presence of sargassum on Mexican beaches and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Sargassum is brown algae that grows in the Atlantic Ocean and is transported by ocean currents to the coast of Mexico.
The algae blooms in the warm waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. They can make swimming unpleasant and even irritate the skin if you stick too close to them.
Can we swim despite the sargassum?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the amount of sargassum present on the beach and in the water, but in general it will not prevent your swimming.
So to answer the question, can we swim despite the sargassum is YES, don’t worry you will still have a good vacation.
It is important to check with local authorities before swimming on a beach where sargassum is present, such as the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) and the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO).
There are also websites and mobile applications that provide updates on the levels of sargassum seaweed in the different regions:
- Sargassum Early Warning System : a collaborative project between the University of Texas and various Mexican organizations to monitor Sargassum levels in the Caribbean and provide forecasts of their evolution.
- Sargassum Watch System : an initiative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that provides daily updates on the presence of Sargassum in the Atlantic.
- Beach Conditions : a mobile application developed by the Quintana Roo state government that provides information on beach conditions in the region, including Sargassum levels.
- Monitoreo de sargazo: an app that provides weekly monitoring of Caribbean beach conditions in Mexico.
It is important to note that the presence of Sargassum can vary from day to day and from beach to beach. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly consult these information sources for the latest updates.
The website of the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment SEMA provides weekly updated information in Spanish:
If you decide to go swimming despite the presence of sargassum, it is recommended that you take extra precautions to protect your skin, such as wearing a t-shirt or using a high protection sunscreen.
Where to go in Mexico to avoid sargassum? Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun?
If you are looking to avoid sargassum on your Mexican vacation, here are 8 places and activities you can go:
- The Riviera Maya: can be affected by sargassum, some beaches are better protected than others. The beaches on the west side of Cozumel, Akumal and Isla Mujeres are generally less affected by sargassum than the beaches of Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Holbox. But there are often devices in place to clean the beaches and enjoy swimming. The hotel areas clean the beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula to reduce this invasion of sargassum.
- Isla Mujeres: is a small island located off the east coast of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea. You can enjoy its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The island is known for its numerous diving and snorkeling sites and fishing activities.
- Bacalar Lagoon: is a beautiful body of fresh water located in the state of Quintana Roo, in southeastern Mexico. The Bacalar Lagoon is an ideal place to practice many activities. Visitors can also take boat tours to explore the different areas of the lagoon.
- Sian Ka’an: is a biosphere reserve located on the east coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo. The Sian Ka’an Reserve is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from rainforest to salt marshes, lagoons, coral reefs and white sand beaches.
- West Coast of Mexico: Beaches on the west coast of Mexico, such as El Cielo in Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán on the other side of the country, are generally less affected by Sargassum than the east coast.
- Los Cabos: Located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos is a popular destination for tourists looking for white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Seaweed is generally absent from this area.
- The cenotes: you can enjoy other water spots like the cenotes to swim in clear water without algae. Find the cenotes that we recommend to do in the Riviera Maya by clicking here.
- Amusement parks: many water and nature parks are offered in Mexico to enjoy swimming and nature such as Xcaret, Xel Ha, Xplor, Xavage, Xenses,Xoximilco.
For more information on excursions, please contact our travel coaches.
What is the sargassum invasion season on the beaches and where in Mexico?
The sargassum season in Mexico varies from year to year and from geographic area to geographic area. Generally, the sargassum period in Mexico is between the months of March and September.
During this period, large quantities of sargassum can arrive on the beaches of the Mexican coasts, especially on the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula. They are mainly present on the east coast, towards Cancún, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.
It is important to note that this phenomenon of greater biomass and appearance of algae on the beaches can vary from one year to another. For example, in 2023, it began in January.
Several factors contribute to the Sargassum bloom, including increased water temperatures, climate change, pollution, and changes in ocean currents.
If you are planning to travel to the east coast of Mexico during the sargassum season, it is recommended to follow local advice to choose the least affected beaches. Some hotels and resorts are providing sargassum cleanup services for their beaches to ensure a pleasant beach experience for their guests.
Local authorities, too, have implemented strategies to remove sargassum from beaches so that tourists can enjoy swimming.
In other areas, the presence of Sargassum can be so severe that swimming is not recommended or even prohibited. Obviously, it is the less frequented and tourist areas that will be most affected.
With the right information and precautions, you can fully enjoy your stay in Mexico, even in the presence of sargassum. A few seaweeds will not prevent you from having a great vacation in Mexico!
Sargassum is one issue to consider when vacationing on the east coast of Mexico, but there are other criteria for traveling to Mexico as well. Check out our article on the best season to travel to Mexico.
For more information on medical assistance in Mexico, see our blog post “What medical assistance in Mexico?”.
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