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At certain times of the year, sargassum seaweed is unavoidable at many Caribbean beach destinations. But a massive seaweed invasion could ruin your vacation.
Sargassum seaweed can affect the appearance of your favorite beach; it can smell and in some cases it can even create a dangerous environment for people.
Hoping to plan your next vacation to avoid sargassum?
a new report has discovered that record-breaking sargassum seaweed will soon invade the beaches in these three destinations:
Mexico
The unattractive and uncomfortable sargassum is expected to arrive in Mexico in April or May.
This can result in beaches that are overrun with brown seaweed and difficult for travelers to enjoy.
The good news is that Mexican authorities take sargassum seaweed very seriously.
The Quintana Roo Sargassum Management Technical Council is already monitoring the path of this year’s sargassum mass and plans to tackle this seaweed before it reaches the most popular beaches in the region.
Tulum has invested heavily in five new anti-sargassum ships and other equipment to prevent sargassum from reaching its shores.
If you want to plan a sargassum-free vacation to Mexico in April or May, consider traveling to Mexico’s Pacific coast and destinations like Puerto Vallarta instead of the Mexican Caribbean.
Pacific Ocean beaches are not affected by sargassum seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean because this seaweed does not migrate to the Pacific Ocean. Some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches are also located here, although the water is a darker blue color and not as warm as in the Caribbean.
Florida
Florida is the US state hardest hit by sargassum, and like Mexico, the report says it will arrive on Florida beaches in April or May this year.
Most municipalities have plans ready for the removal of sargassum. This includes using tractors to manually remove as much sargassum as possible from the beaches. But if too much sargassum piles up on Florida beaches, it could limit beach access.
Sargassum is unpredictable. While forecasters can say when they think it will appear, it’s impossible to know exactly when, where and how much seaweed will wash up on Florida beaches at any given time.
But you may want to consider booking a resort with a good pool complex so that you still have a place to relax and unwind by the water, if sargassum makes relaxing on the beach impossible.
the Caribbean
Although less known than Mexico, the Caribbean struggles with sargassum seaweed on its beaches.
The large sargassum mass is expected to arrive in the northern Antilles in early February and reach the Dominican Republic in March.
Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic are three of the Caribbean islands most affected by sargassum, but relatively few parts of the Caribbean are unaffected.
Both manual labor and machines are used to remove sargassum from beaches in the Caribbean before it is moved to locations further away from the beach.
Why is Sargassum problematic?
Sargassum seaweed is a naturally occurring brown algae bloom. Wondering if you should still plan a vacation if the beach of your choice is covered in sargassum seaweed?
Although sargassum serves an important purpose when in the coastal ocean, it is unattractive and gives off an odor similar to manure or rotten eggs. Not exactly the relaxing beach holiday you dreamed of!
Besides being unsightly, there are also risks when beaches are covered in sargassum. Although sargassum beaches are generally safe for swimming, they look brown and uninviting. The sargassum may also feel uncomfortable when it scratches against your skin.
After being on the beach for 48 hours, sargassum begins to rot. When it rots, it releases hydrogen sulfide, which is a skin irritant and can also be dangerous for anyone with breathing problems such as asthma.
But many resorts go to great lengths to remove sargassum from their beaches for the comfort and convenience of their guests.
You may want to consider checking with your hotel or local authorities where the nearest beach is located to ensure they have a management plan in place for sargassum removal.
Beach webcams can also be useful for assessing the current sargassum situation in your chosen destination. And be sure to spend time at the pool or other off-beach activities so that your vacation isn’t ruined if the beach isn’t accessible during your trip.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
