Tag: Invading

These 3 Destinations Could See Record-Breaking Sargassum Invading Beaches Soon

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At certain times of the year sargassum seaweed is unavoidable in many Caribbean beach destinations. But a massive seaweed invasion has the potential to ruin your vacation.

Sargassum seaweed can impact the appearance of your favorite beach; it can be smelly, and in some cases, it can even create a hazardous environment for humans.

Hoping to plan your next vacation to avoid sargassum?

A new report has found that these 3 destinations could see record-breaking sargassum seaweed invading beaches soon:

Mexico

The unattractive and inconvenient sargassum is expected to arrive in Mexico by April or May.

This could result in beaches that are overrun with brown seaweed and are difficult for travelers to enjoy.

The good news is that Mexican authorities take sargassum seaweed very seriously.

The Quintana Roo Technical Council for Sargassum Management is already following the path of this year’s sargassum mass and plans to deal with this seaweed before it reaches the most popular beaches in the region.

Tulum has invested heavily in 5 new anti-sargassum vessels and other equipment to stop any of the sargassum from reaching the shore.

If you want to plan a sargassum-free vacation to Mexico in April or May then you could consider traveling to Mexico’s Pacific coast and destinations like Puerto Vallarta rather than to the Mexican Caribbean.

Pacific beaches aren’t impacted by sargassum seaweed in the Atlantic because this seaweed doesn’t migrate to the Pacific. Some of the prettiest beaches in Mexico are also located here, although the waters are a darker blue color and not quite as warm as they are in the Caribbean.

Florida

Florida is the U.S. State most widely impacted by sargassum, and just like in Mexico, the report says that it will arrive on Floridian beaches by April or May this year.

Most municipalities have plans in place for the removal of sargassum. This includes the use of tractors to manually remove as much sargassum from the beaches as possible. But when too much sargassum piles up on Florida’s beaches this can restrict beach access.

Sargassum is unpredictable. Though forecasters can say when they think it might appear, it is impossible to know exactly when, where, and how much seaweed will wash up on Florida’s beaches at any given time.

But you might want to consider booking a resort with a good pool complex so you’ll still have somewhere to relax and unwind by the water if sargassum makes relaxing on the beach impossible.

Caribbean

Although less widely publicized than in Mexico, the Caribbean struggles with sargassum seaweed on its beaches.

The large sargassum mass is expected to arrive in the northern Antilles by the beginning of February and will reach the Dominican Republic in March.

Jamaica, The Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic are 3 of the Caribbean islands most impacted by sargassum, but relatively few areas of the Caribbean aren’t affected.

Both manual labor and machinery are used to remove sargassum from beaches in the Caribbean before being moved to locations away from the beach.

Why Is Sargassum Problematic?

Sargassum seaweed is a naturally occurring brown algae bloom. Wondering whether you should still plan a vacation if your chosen resort beach is covered in sargassum seaweed?

While sargassum serves an important purpose when it is in the ocean on the shore, it is unattractive and releases a smell that is similar to either manure or rotten eggs. Not exactly the relaxing beach vacation you were dreaming of!

As well as being unsightly, there are also risks when beaches are covered in sargassum. Although sargassum beaches are generally safe to swim in, they look brown and uninviting. The sargassum can also feel uncomfortable when it scratches against your skin.

After 48 hours of being on the beach, sargassum starts to rot. When it rots it releases hydrogen sulfide which is a skin irritant and can also be hazardous to anyone with a respiratory problem like asthma.

But many resorts work hard to remove sargassum from their beaches for the comfort and convenience of their guests.

You should consider checking with your hotel or the local authorities that your closest beach is located in to make sure they have a management plan in place for the sargassum’s removal.

Beach webcams can also be handy for assessing what the current sargassum situation is in your chosen destination. And arrange to spend time by the pool or other activities away from the beach so that your vacation won’t be ruined if the beach isn’t accessible during your trip.

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January 21, 2024
Record Amounts Of Seaweed Invading Top Destinations Including Cancun And Puerto Rico
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Masses of sargassum seaweed have been invading popular and touristic Caribbean destinations—from Puerto Rico to Barbados— for months, ruining travelers’ vacations and worrying local authorities about economic and environmental consequences.

“This year has been the worst year on record,” said the researcher and faculty member with Florida Sea Grant Lisa Krimsky as reported by the news agency Associated Press (AP).

Krimsky, also Water Resource Regional Specialized Agent based in southeast Florida added: “It is absolutely devastating for the region.”

Over 18.8 million tons in May and over 24 million tons of these brown algae spread across the Atlantic Ocean this year and during July authorities informed that the sargassum keeps arriving non-stop and numbers have not decreased.

This year’s numbers have been considered by the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab as “a new historical record” in a report recently published.

Oceanography professor Chuanmin Hu said that according to the data analyzed, the previous record was noted in May 2018 and this year the sargassum levels were higher by 20%. The professor confessed his reaction: “I was scared.”

Over 800 tons of sargassum were collected in June only from Cancun beaches. The different authorities in the Caribbean have been dealing with this problem by applying different strategies to protect local nature and prevent tourism chaos.

What Travelers Should Know About Sargassum

The large brown seaweed is considered harmless to humans but gives off an unpleasant smell —similar to rotten eggs— when it decomposes, covers beautiful sands and pristine waters, and can affect the local ecosystem.

Some people have reported rashes and blisters after being in contact with this seaweed. According to Florida Health’s report, this is caused by sea creatures that live within this algae. So, it’s better to avoid contact with it.

The sargassum creates island-like masses in the ocean that help animals migrate and has an important role in our ecosystem, but it gives off hydrogen sulfide that can irritate the eyes, throat, and nose. Travelers with asthma or other breathing illnesses might be more affected or could have trouble breathing after being exposed to it.

These are general recommendations when visiting a beach with sargassum:
- Avoid touching it.
- Use gloves if you have to handle it.
- Close doors and windows if you are staying near beaches or coasts with sargassum.
- Avoid the beach or staying for too long if you have asthma or respiratory problems.
- Do not cook it or eat it. It is not edible, it can contain metals like arsenic and cadmium.
Another strategy for travelers is to plan their Caribbean vacations during times when they can avoid these algae or consider locations where it doesn’t usually sit.

The best times to visit the Caribbean are between November and March, sargassum’s peak season is usually between May and September.

Top Destinations Dealing With Sargassum

Cancun authorities have assigned local workers to collect sargassum away from there to beaches. Travelers have opted for beaches and locations that do not have these algae like Isla Mujeres or visit spectacular Cenotes around the Quintana Roo state.

In Puerto Rico, local authorities worry about sargassum because they believe that it can affect one of the hottest spots on the island, the bioluminescent bay Fajardo. Tourism kayak companies and the government are studying the sargassum and working on solutions while cleaning it from their coasts.

In Costa Rica, authorities assigned a team to take care of the algae and protect the nesting process of sea turtles. The government also worries about the offshore industry and has been working in collaboration with other nations.

International organizations, including the United Nations, are studying the sargassum, trying to understand why it keeps growing, and working on the best solutions.

Also, different local companies are turning sargassum into new products —from gas to cosmetic products to vegan leather— to use its excess and turn it into innovative solutions.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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August 4, 2022
Brown Smelly Seaweed Called Sargassum Invading Most Popular Caribbean Destinations

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A brown, smelly seaweed called sargassum is invading most popular destinations in the Caribbean, potentially ruining the vacations of millions of travelers this summer. Whilst most travelers head to the Caribbean in search of soft sand, clear blue seas and a vacation that’s a treat for all the senses, the reality this summer could be quite different – with top destinations such as Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica all recently succumbing to long, tough battles with the foul smelling algae.

Whilst it isn’t exactly a new problem, the unfortunate timing of the sargassum invasion comes just as many travelers were looking forward to going overseas once more after years of travel hell during the pandemic, meaning their long awaited travels are in serious jeopardy of being spoiled by the seaweed. Here’s a look at what sargassum is, which destinations have been affected by it and how the battle to remove it from beaches is going.

What Is Sargassum? Information For Travelers

Sargassum is a type of brown algae that frequently washes up on beaches across the Caribbean and even the United States. As the mountains of beached seaweed rots, it releases hydrogen sulfide – a gas which has an unpleasant odor similar to rotten eggs. Despite being completely harmless to humans, the unsightly and stinky nature of the rotting sargassum means that it runs the risk of ruining beach based activities for potentially millions of travelers this summer.

Where Is Sargassum Causing Problems? What Travelers Should Know

Sargassum is a serious issue in Mexico, where the presence of the seaweed has a huge negative impact on tourism. Cancun is expecting its worst sargassum season in five years, which is bound to affect local tourism levels and see travelers pick more sargassum-free areas to visit instead, such as Los Cabos. Extreme solutions have been mooted, such as the installation of a 60km-long sea barrier, as the country works to address the issue.

The Mexican Navy has also been working to prevent the seaweed from reaching the beach for years, with little success. This year, by using tools such as boats and nets, the Navy only managed to collect around 1% of the total amount of sargassum from the coast. The Navy cited equipment failures as the reason they have failed to prevent more from washing up on the beach, and lead them to conclude that they have failed in their efforts.

However, Mexico isn’t the only country to be suffering from the stinky seaweed. Sargassum has also invaded several beaches in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with large concentrations found near the Iberostar Selection Bavaro and the Bahia Principe Punta Cana hotels in particular. Rather than the pristine beaches travelers are used to in the region, they are faced with unappealing, smelly, brown beaches – with the problem expected to worsen in the coming months.

Like Mexico, the Dominican Republic has tried in vain to control the spread of sargassum. A 12.7km barrier was installed to prevent it from reaching beaches, and armies of hotel workers attempted to clean them up, but it is expensive and time-consuming work. Like it has in previous years, the prevalence of sargassum is expected to have a negative impact on the number of hotel bookings in the region.

Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) also warned that the country could be set for a significant influx of sargassum over the coming months. Several beaches in the parishes of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas and St. Catherine are already suffering from its presence, with the agency explaining that the prevalence of sargassum in the Caribbean is part of the “new normal”. Barbados too is also suffering from a sargassum invasion, with the problem expected to spread further throughout the region this summer.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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June 13, 2022