What beaches are affected by sargassum?
Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.
Where is the sargassum now?
Sargassum is reported from the coasts of Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Inagua, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and also the coastal region of Quintana Roo Mexico.
What Caribbean islands are free of sargassum?
Some island destinations, such as Barbados, have experienced huge influxes of the seaweed. Most beaches in the Turks and Caicos are free of sargassum, notably the world-famous Grace Bay.
Is there a seaweed problem in the Caribbean?
With more algae spotted floating out at sea, experts fear that 2022 could be as bad or worse than the catastrophic year of 2018, the biggest sargassum wave to date. Mexican authorities say the problem of foul-smelling seaweed-like algae on the country's Caribbean coast beaches is “alarming.”
What beaches are not affected by sargassum 2022?
Grand Anse in St. ... Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. ... Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. ... Palm Beach on Aruba, Dutch Caribbean. ... Playa Porto Mari on Curacao, Dutch Caribbean. ... Bloody Bay and Long Bay Beaches in Negril, Jamaica. ... Southern Tip of Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda.More items...•
Is there still sargassum in Playa del Carmen?
If you're planning a trip to Playa del Carmen, you're probably wondering is there still a sargassum problem in Playa del Carmen in 2022. Unfortunately, the answer is a “Big Yes”. Since the beginning of 2022, Playa del Carmen has been one of the most sargassum-affected areas on Mexico's Caribbean coast.
Is there sargassum in St Lucia?
SWIMMING IN SARGASSUM Sargassum affects St. Lucia's fishermen as it stops them going out to sea and depletes oxygen in the water, killing fish. It also turns once-pristine white tourist beaches brown as it decomposes and releases a rotten egg stench.
Does Jamaica get sargassum?
Jamaica, like several Caribbean Islands, have been impacted by the seaweed which has been spotted offshore Jamaica. Some beaches across the island, particularly in Portland, St. Thomas, St Catherine and Westmorland are already being heavily impacted.
Does Aruba have a sargassum problem?
Which region in Aruba is affected with sargassum? Aruba is one of the best vacation destinations in the Caribbean if you wish to avoid beaches infested with sargassum. Its main beaches like Palm beach, Eagle beach, and Baby beach are outside the sargassum seaweed belt.
Which beaches do not have sargassum?
Isla Mujeres: Caribbean beaches without sargassum Just in front of Villa del Palmar Cancun is Isla Mujeres, one of the most paradisiacal destinations in the entire Caribbean and that hasn't been hit by the sargassum algae.
Does Montego Bay get sargassum?
Historically, sargassum has not be a problem (except for very occasional minor drifts) on any of Jamaican beaches for years. Sargassum is mainly a problem for beaches facing east and south.
What areas are more affected by sargassum?
In the Caribbean Sea, from the coasts of Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia and the Mexican Caribbean coasts, between 2011 and 2020, Sargassum events have been recorded and have increased in volume and damage over time (Table 1).
Is there still seaweed in Cancun 2021?
Sargassum Forecast for Seaweed Season in Mexico in 2021 and 2022. 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 expect to avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches.
Is there still a seaweed problem in Mexico 2022?
If you're planning a trip to Cancun, you're probably wondering is there still a sargassum problem in Cancun in 2022. Unfortunately, the answer is a “Big Yes”. Recent reports confirm that Cancun and other parts of Mexico's Caribbean coast will encounter a serious sargassum problem in 2022.
Is there still seaweed in Riviera Maya?
The Seaweed between Cancun and Tulum occur mostly in the summer months. Then the sea warms up and the algae bloom can grow. In winter there is basically no or less sargassum on the Riviera Maya.
Is the seaweed gone in Riviera Maya?
Update: As of spring 2022 in the Riviera Maya the seaweed is coming back. This year is predicted to be a bad year for seaweed. If you are interested in current situations on different beaches or in front of hotels, these two Facebook pages are good to check out.
How long does sargassum seaweed dry?
Mayan farmers have explained how to use sargassum seaweed as fertilizer: when they receive it in their field, they let it dry for two or three days in the sun, then wash it and leave it again for another day in the sun. Once clean, they spread the sargassum in the sowing area and cover it with a layer of sawdust.
What are the ingredients in Sargassum?
In addition to sargassum, the cocktail has a pineapple base and includes other ingredients such as lemon juice, aquafaba, lavender and angostura bitters, and white tequila. The algae that are used go through an elaborate process of cleaning and disinfection and blends with pineapple, honey, rosemary and anise.
What is seaweed used for in Tulum?
They take advantage of seaweed as a natural fertilizer and herbicide to improve the harvest of products such as corn, squash, chili and beans.
What is Sargassum used for?
Bricks for house construction. Probably this is one of the best uses that is being given to sargassum in the Caribbean. Sargassum bricks are manufactured with the same technique as adobe bricks. The use of this seaweed can reduce the total cost of building homes by up to 50%.
What is the raw material of the Mexican Caribbean?
Nature is giving the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean a unique raw material: sargassum. If anything characterizes Mexicans is the enormous creativity and adaptability that they have. Therefore, it’s not surprising that some entrepreneurs and brands have used to good advantage the arrival of sargassum to create different kinds ...
Why is seaweed used in cosmetics?
According to exhaustive investigations around sargassum, it’s now known that the seaweed was widely used in the 17th century to combat joint pains and skin diseases. These benefits are very favorable for the cosmetic products that are now being made in Mexico with the algae.
What is the first cocktail drink based on seaweed?
The first cocktail drink based on this seaweed has been created. It is the “pineapple gift”, whose name is a tribute to the Mayan culture that in ancient times offered a pin eapple as a welcome gift to their guests.
What is Sargassum habitat?
Sargassum is a prime nursery habitat for a diversity of large fish, such as mahi mahi (a.k.a. dorado, dolphin), sailfish, jacks, amberjacks, etc. Reportedly, a dolphin whistle was translated for the first time by advanced pattern-recognition software – and it said, “Sargassum”. Where did it come from?
Where did Sargassum originate?
Local experts think this particular bout of Sargassum originated off the coast of South America. When ocean conditions are ripe, pelagic (i.e., living in the open ocean) sargassum can form “islands” a few acres across (3-5 ft. deep).
What is the name of the grape that keeps seaweed afloat?
Small gas-filled spheres resembling berries, which keep the seaweed afloat, evoked memories of a type of grape known as salgazo (later sargaço). At first glance, beach-lovers might view it as nothing more ...
What is the only sea without fixed land boundaries?
The only sea without fixed land boundaries, its limits are formed by dynamic ocean currents. Several kinds of algae float across oceans worldwide; however, the species of sargassum found here are ‘holopelagi‘ – meaning they float and reproduce at high seas (not on the ocean floor).
Why is sargassum bad for turtles?
Too much Sargassum can make it complicated for nesting sea turtles to arrive at shore; and for hatchlings to reach the ocean. Also, it’s more difficult to monitor turtle tracks.
How high is the visibility of the Sargasso Sea?
One distinguishing feature of the Sargasso Sea, apart from ‘The golden floating rainforest’ appearance, is its remarkably clear blue water – divers would be greeted by 200 ft. (61 m) visibility!
How big is the Sargasso Sea?
This opens in a new window. The Sargasso Sea, which exists exclusively in the Atlantic Ocean (specifically, in the North Atlantic Gyre), spreads 1,107 km wide and 3,200 km long – approx. 2 million square miles (Mexico is merely 761,610 sq mi). The only sea without fixed land boundaries, its limits are formed by dynamic ocean currents.
Where is Sargassum seaweed?
Institutional Access. An unexplained invasion of Sargassum seaweed has been taking place on the coasts of Caribbean countries in recent years. Areas affected by the seaweed invasion include Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and Saint Martin. 1.
Where is seaweed found in the Caribbean?
seaweed on Caribbean islands: an international public health concern. An unexplained invasion of Sargassum seaweed has been taking place on the coasts of Caribbean countries in recent years. Areas affected by the seaweed invasion include Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and Saint Martin.
Which Caribbean islands are affected by Sargassum?
The Caribbean islands most affected by sargassum seaweed in the past include Barbados, Tobago, Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic and Martinique . However, it’s important to note that even on islands affected by an influx of sargassum algae there are often beaches that are totally clear on the same island. While there’s no guarantee, ...
Where is the Sargassum Belt?
The world’s largest sargassum seaweed bloom — known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — now stretches 8850-kilometres long from West Africa to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico , says Science magazine.
What is Aruba known for?
The Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba is best known for its white sand beaches, luxury resorts and cooling trade winds. In addition to being located outside the hurricane belt, its famous beaches such as Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Baby Beach also have the good fortune of being outside the sargassum seaweed belt.
Where is Grace Bay in Providenciales?
Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is definitely a destination to consider if you’re looking for Caribbean beach without seaweed for a family, couples or group vacation. Although the Turks & Caicos participates in the Caribbean Development Bank, it’s technically situated north of the Caribbean and in the tropical Atlantic.
When is seaweed season in the Caribbean?
And while there used to be an identifiable seaweed season of May to December, sargassum seaweed is arriving earlier, staying longer and the mats of seaweed are larger in size. This increases the likelihood of encountering the unpleasant brown algae on your Caribbean vacation.
Where is Porto Mari Beach?
Playa Porto Mari on Curacao, Dutch Caribbean. Beautiful and seaweed free Porto Mari Beach in Curacao. One of the most beautiful beaches in Curacao also happens to be one of the best best Caribbean beaches without seaweed. Located on the west coast of the island of Curacao,
Is Grande Anse beach in Grenada sargassum?
Beautiful Grande Anse beach in Grenada has not been hit by sargassum seaweed so far. With its organic bean-to-bar chocolate, artisanal rum plantations and mountainous interior dotted with waterfalls, there’s lots to love about the Caribbean island of Grenada without even considering its idyllic beaches.
An ecological problem with economic impact
Over two million passengers passed through the Cancún International Airport in June 2021, the highest number since February 2020. Along Mexico’s Riveria Maya, occupancies have returned to pre-pandemic levels, due in part to the country’s lack of COVID-19 restrictions on tourists. But sargassum may again deter visitors.
Removal by rake, tractor, or boat
Removing or deflecting pounds and pounds of seaweed, which sometimes washes in with every wave, isn’t just a matter of scooping the stuff up in a bucket and throwing it out.
From scourge to cash crop?
For now, according to scientists, the only way to stop the sargassum would need to begin upstream, says Rodríguez-Martínez. “Countries need to reduce the nutrients dumped into the sea and take actions to mitigate climate change.” But with Brazil continuing to convert rainforests into fertilizer-demanding farms, the blooms may be here to stay.
