Cancun Sargassum Seaweed Area DAILY 2024 Updates and MAP (2024)

In 2024, the seaweed season in the Cancun Area is in full swing and sargassum is invading the beaches across the whole Mexican Caribbean coast.

Beaches most affected by high concentrations of algae include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Sian Ka’an, and certain areas between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.

However, accurately predicting which beaches will be affected and to what extent is extremely difficult, as conditions change almost daily and often without notice.

Join our Seaweed/Sargassum Cancun FB group where locals and tourists post photos and videos from the area

Read on for the latest information on the sargassum situation at Mexicos’ beaches.

LATEST SEAWEED ALERT: 5,000 Km2 Of Sargassum Heading to the MX Caribbean

On MAY 10 Sargasso Monitoring Network of Quintana Roo announced on their Facebook page they detected a massive blob of sargassum seaweed. Satellite images show around 5000 km2 of seaweed heading towards the coast of the Mexican Caribbean. The arrival was estimated around MAY 24.

Sargassum Seaweed Cancun Right Now (MAY 22 Update)

Sargassum season in Cancun has been very good in 2024 but recently there has been an increase. There are morning clean-ups organized by resorts which keep the beaches mostly clean until afternoon.

Cancun remains one of the destinations with less seaweed on the Mexican Caribbean Coast. Areas of Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are the most affected.

Mexican Caribbean Coast Sargassum Seaweed Map

According to the latest seaweed distribution map by the Quintana Roo monitoring network, the situation slightly improved in the areas of Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. The two maps were published on May 6 and May 17.

Note: The situation changes every day in unpredictable ways, so you take this information as an estimation. You can count on Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres as clean destinations. As for Cancun, seaweed levels are low but depending on the current it can change from day to day.

Sargassum Seaweed Distribution – Satellite Report (MAY 1)

Sargassum distribution across the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean – satellite report.

Latest Cancun photo updates:

The latest photos from Cancun indicate the beginning of the peak season as the levels of the sargassum seaweed on the beach are higher.

Last week, Cancun authorities warned about thousands of tons of sargassum seaweed towards Cancun at the beginning of June.

The head of the Sargassum Monitoring Network said“about 500 thousand tons [of sargassum], mainly in the southern municipalities, Mahahual and Xcalak, Sian Ka’an, Solidaridad, and Tulum,”.

The most affected beaches in Cancun will be Playa del Niño, Puerto Juárez, and Puerta del Mar beach in Cancun, according to the latest forest and data from last year.

Cancun video seaweed report (by Traveling Lifestyle) – May 15, 2024

The walk was recorded between Playa Marlin and Playa Caracol on MAY 22 on Playa Delfines passing famous resorts:

• Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
• Live Agua Resort
• Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort
• Park Royal Beach Resort
• Armar Resort (Scary abandoned resort, read the story behind it)
• Beach Palace Cancun
• Hotel Flamingo Cancun
• Hyatt Zilara
• Wyndham Alltra Resort
• LeBlanc SPA Resort
• Royalton Cancun Hotel

Live beach webcams from Cancun Resorts

Daily Seaweed Updates and Beach Photos (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, etc.):

May 22 – June 7

This photo below taken in front of Viva Wyndham Maya Resort, Playacar on June 4 shows the rapid increase in Sargassum seaweed in Playacar. This popular part of the Mexican Caribbean hasn’t seen such a high amount of seaweed in 2024.

May 8 – May 22

From the latest photo and forecast updates we can say that the seaweed situation has been better in the past 2 weeks but it’s about to change at the end of May.

May 2 – May 7

Viral videos from different parts of the Mexican Caribbean are circulating the internet and continue to impact tourism as the sargassum season slowly starts peaking in the region.

Playacar MAY 3 – Video report from the walk in front of popular resorts (RIU Palace, Reef Hotel, Iberostar Playacar, Viva by Wyndham, etc.)

April 30 – May 1

The situation in Playa del Carmen is out of control in some of the beaches. The cleaning crew struggles to keep up with constant (24h) seaweed arrival.

Here are some latest seaweed photo updates from Holbox, PDC, Tulum and Puerto Aventuras:

April 24 – 29

Latest photo updates from Puerto Morels and Playa del Carmen

April 22 – 23

Tankah Bay and Paradius

Playa Caracol, the cleanest beach in Cancun, zero seaweed – April 22, 2024

April 20 – 21

Sarah G. said in her FB report: “Today in Tulum. Sargassum is here. But they are doing a good job of mitigation. It’s different everywhere but also not really in the water or stinky. No complaints.”

“The worst photo is La Zebra. The other two are equidistant in either direction. Enjoy.” she continued.

April 17 – 19

Latest news, photos, and video from recent seaweed arrival

Sargassum seaweed alert in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean has been raised for the first time in 2024 by the local officials.

The arrival of the sargassum continues as predicted. According to photos submitted to our FB reporting group and information from our journalist in the area, the situation is at its worst in 2024.

This increase in the sargassum prompts the Mexican Navy to install more barriers along the Cancun and other parts of the coast.

Video report from Puerto Morelos (by Traveling Lifestyle)

April 15 – 16

Another wave of sargassum is expected in the upcoming weeks

Mexican officials expect another wave of seaweed on the beaches of popular destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, and Cozumel.

Latest photo & video updates:

Massive Arrival of Seaweed to Mexican Caribbean from April 6

Massive invasions of seaweed started happening in the Mexican Caribbean. From April 6, people started uploading photos into our FB seaweed reporting group with huge amounts of seaweed on the beaches of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, etc. This invasion continues throughout the week and it’s most likely caused by increased temperatures in the Caribbean.

Here are some photos from our FB group (April 7 – 10):

When Does Seaweed Season Start In Cancun (Mexican Caribbean)?

According to the data from the last 2 years, seaweed season in Cancun starts in February and peaks between April and August. Some parts close to Cancun, such as Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Morelos see the start of the peak already in February.

What is the seaweed sargasso and what is causing it?

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that floats on the ocean surface and is known for forming large masses or “blooms.” It is distinctive for its leafy appearance and air-filled bladders that aid in buoyancy.

The recent increases in sargassum blooms, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, are attributed to various factors including nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff and human waste, climate change, and altered ocean currents. These factors contribute to an environment conducive to the rapid growth and accumulation of sargassum, leading to significant environmental and economic impacts on coastal regions.