• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Taste for Travel logo

The world's most amazing food, drink and sun destinations

  • Home
  • About Us
    • News and Awards
    • Privacy Policy
    • Travel Resources
    • Disclosure
  • Partner with Us
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About Us
    • News and Awards
    • Privacy Policy
    • Travel Resources
    • Disclosure
  • Partner with Us
  • Contact
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
      • Mexico City
      • Cancun Riviera-Maya
      • Huatulco & Mazunte
      • Morelia
      • Oaxaca City
      • Puerto Escondido
      • Puerto Vallarta
      • Chiapas
      • San Miguel de Allende
    • Caribbean
      • Anguilla
      • Antigua and Barbuda
      • Aruba
      • Bahamas
      • Bonaire
      • Curacao
      • Dominican Republic
      • Grenada
      • Martinique
      • St. Kitt’s
      • Trinidad & Tobago
      • Virgin Islands
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Panama
    • Europe
      • Cyprus
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • Canada & United States
      • British Columbia
      • Atlantic Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Kentucky
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfasts
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Sauces & Salsas
    • Entrees
    • Soup
    • Easy Guatemalan Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
  • Reviews & Tips
  • Types of Travel
    • Cruises & Boating
    • Food & Wine Adventures
    • Romantic Getaways
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
      • Mexico City
      • Cancun Riviera-Maya
      • Huatulco & Mazunte
      • Morelia
      • Oaxaca City
      • Puerto Escondido
      • Puerto Vallarta
      • Chiapas
      • San Miguel de Allende
    • Caribbean
      • Anguilla
      • Antigua and Barbuda
      • Aruba
      • Bahamas
      • Bonaire
      • Curacao
      • Dominican Republic
      • Grenada
      • Martinique
      • St. Kitt’s
      • Trinidad & Tobago
      • Virgin Islands
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Panama
    • Europe
      • Cyprus
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • Canada & United States
      • British Columbia
      • Atlantic Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Kentucky
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfasts
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Sauces & Salsas
    • Entrees
    • Soup
    • Easy Guatemalan Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
  • Reviews & Tips
  • Types of Travel
    • Cruises & Boating
    • Food & Wine Adventures
    • Romantic Getaways
Home » Destinations » Mexico » Cancun Riviera-Maya » Insider’s Guide to Seaweed Conditions in Cancun and Riviera Maya (in 2025)

Insider’s Guide to Seaweed Conditions in Cancun and Riviera Maya (in 2025)

Modified:  May 10, 2025 Published: Jan 14, 2025   //  by Michele Peterson 31 Comments

We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.

Planning a vacation in Cancun? Read our complete guide to the best beaches in Cancun #Mexico before you go

If you’re planning a beach vacation and are worried about the current seaweed conditions in Cancun and Riviera-Maya, this post has important information about seaweed season.

It also has the latest updates on the Cancun seaweed problem and details on sargassum seaweed forecast for 2025.

Satellite observations and on site reports show a sharp rise in Atlantic sargassum in May 2025. It’s turning out to be the worst year for sargassum seaweed on record.

Read on to see original photos and learn which areas could be at risk.

A beach with sargassum in Tulum May 2025.
Tulum May 2025.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve personally walked the beaches of Mexico’s Caribbean coast during seaweed season many times. Certain beaches have more sargassum seaweed than others.

This report is from my personal trips to Cancun and Riviera Maya in 2024 and 2025 as well as up-to-date research by local experts.

It includes tips on planning the best beach vacation and how to find the best beaches for swimming, even during the height of seaweed season in Cancun.

Table of Contents
Cancun Seaweed Season Right Now – A Quick Snapshot
Sargassum Seaweed Facts
Is it Dangerous to Swim in Sargassum Seaweed?
When is Seaweed Season in the Caribbean and Mexico?
Seaweed Conditions in Cancun
Where in Cancun is There No Seaweed?
Best Cancun Beaches Without Seaweed – Playa Gaviotas and Playa Gaviotas Azul
Best Cancun Beaches Without Seaweed – Playa Delfines / Dolphins Beach
Current Cancun Seaweed Conditions – Sargassum Forecasts for 2025
Current Seaweed Conditions in Tulum
Playa del Carmen Seaweed in 2025
Sargassum Forecast for Seaweed Season in Mexico in 2025
Sargassum Seaweed 2025 Forecast Resources
FAQs
More Posts About Cancun and Caribbean Beaches
Sargazo seaweed in Cancun Riviera Maya on July 19, 2021.
An accumulation of sargassum seaweed at Azul Beach Riviera Maya in previous years. (Credit: M. Adams Klein)

Note: This is a recurring post updated with original photos, sargassum seaweed maps and information on seaweed conditions and the status of the current seaweed problem in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Akumal and Tulum.

seaweed at Playa Delfines Cancun
Large mats of seaweed can be seen offshore at Playa Delfines, Cancun when the seaweed is bad (such as 2018). (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Cancun Seaweed Season Right Now – A Quick Snapshot 

April 2025: The total amount of sargassum seaweed is up 40% above the June 2022 peak, making 2025 the new record year according to satellite observations by the University of South Florida.

But increases in the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea are not as high as in Eastern Caribbean and West Atlantic where they’re 200% higher than historical records.

March 2025: Large amounts of sargassum seaweed have already begun to arrive on beaches in the Mexican Caribbean in March. However, landings have mostly been south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Sargassum mats are drifting into the Caribbean through the Lesser Antilles, with the western Caribbean’s sargassum headed to the Gulf of Mexico.

Sargassum seaweed in March 2025 in   Mexican Caribbean.
Sargassum on Akumal Beach in March 2025.

December 2024: The University of South Florida satellites observed a significant increase in the amount of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic. The amount of seaweed surpassed the 75th percentile of the past 13 years, strongly indicating that 2025 may be another major year for sargassum.

However, much depends on ocean and wind currents.

Seaweed in Puerto Morelos Oct 22, 2022.
Seaweed in Puerto Morelos Oct 22, 2022. (Credit: Grace LF)

Sargassum Seaweed Facts

rocks and seaweed on the beach in Cancun Mexico
The quality of the beaches varies greatly in Cancun.

What exactly is sargassum seaweed and why is it a problem? 

Sargassum (also known as sargazo and sargasso) is a type of brown algae that generally lies in the open ocean in the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic.

Wrapped by ocean currents, this mat of seaweed floats on the surface of the water. It serves as a resting area and spawning ground for a vast array of life from eels to sea turtles.

While sargassum seaweed is a natural phenomenon that has been occurring for centuries, the influx of sargassum in recent years have been larger, thicker and more widespread.

Since 2011, blooms of sargassum have been appearing in the tropics sweeping up from South America through the Caribbean along the coast of Mexico and into the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.

The summer of 2018 witnessed the worst influx of sargassum brown algae in recent history. In 2022, the seaweed problem was equally as bad. 

Sargassum seaweed in Tulum 2022.
Sargassum seaweed in Tulum in May 2022 (Credit: Patti Morrow Luggage and Lipstick)

The quantity of the sargassum seaweed combined with differences in the composition of the seaweed itself, poses problems.

Large quantities of seaweed float on the surface of the water, wash up on beaches, trap marine life in the seaweed itself and use up the oxygen that fish need to breathe.

Various strategies — from raking it manually to using barriers to catch the sargassum before it reaches the shore  — have been devised to try to deal with the unprecedented waves of seaweed that have engulfed regions of the Caribbean and Mexico in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Is it Dangerous to Swim in Sargassum Seaweed?

Sargassum seaweed in itself doesn’t pose a problem, says Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck (Emeritus head of Dermatology).

Instead, it’s what the seaweed harbours that can cause skin irritations and other risks.

Sargassum seaweed on Akumal Beach in Mexico in 2023.
Sargassum seaweed can harbour irritants and bacteria.

The seaweed when floating at the top of hot, shallow waters, can start to play host to microbes and strains of bacteria the skin is not accustomed to coming in contact with.

Also, you have to remember that fish normally use sargassum as a breeding grounds — leaving toxins and eggs in seaweed.

With freshwater as well as saltwater swimmers should watch out for the growth of Cyanobacteria (which can normally be seen changing the water’s colour to light green).

Cyanobacteria can release neurotoxins, which not only can affect the skin but can cause the death of neurons that control most of the muscles and movements in your body.

health hazards of sargassum seaweed
In addition to being unsightly, there are potential risks to swimming in seaweed. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Another risk occurs when sargassum seaweed gathers in large quantities, washes up on beaches and begins to decompose.

It releases hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S, a colourless, poisonous gas with an unpleasant rotten-egg odor,

According to Eric Najarro, Administrator at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II in Belize, inhaling small doses of the gas can trigger irritation of the eyes, respiratory issues and nausea, especially among at-risk people such as those with asthma, the elderly, infants and pregnant women.

Certain animals, especially dogs, are also sensitive to the inhalation of hydrogen sulfide.

Another health risk to swimming with large quantities of sargassum seaweed is the potential for skin irritations and rashes.

So if you’re wondering if it’s safe to swim in sargassum seaweed, according to the experts I’ve consulted, it’s not advisable.

Note that red tide and sargassum seaweed are two different problems. A red tide is a bloom of algae that discolours coastal waters and releases dangerous toxins.

Eating shellfish or other seafood during an algal bloom is harmful to humans.

When is Seaweed Season in the Caribbean and Mexico?

Sargassum seaweed in Cancun 2018 - Cancun seaweed on the beach
This was the scene earlier in Cancun during the summer of 2018. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

In the Caribbean, seaweed season is generally May to October. The worst time for seaweed in Cancun, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago and much of the Caribbean is during the summer months. 

Looking for vacation ideas on Caribbean islands not affected by sargassum seaweed? Check out our Guide to Caribbean Beaches without Sargassum Seaweed. 

The seaweed season in Cancun is generally over by the end of October. However, some towns such as Puerto Morelos sometimes continue to receive sargassum seaweed past that date.  

Seaweed on Beach in Playa del Carmen Mexico
Erosion of the beaches in Playa del Carmen is also an issue.(Credit: Michele Peterson)

However, the state of Quintana Roo has been working on strategies to cope with the seaweed problem.

In addition to aerial surveillance, they have issued contracts to hire companies to collect and dispose of the seaweed.  

Seaweed Conditions in Cancun  

Beach without sargassum seaweed at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
There’s
often no sargassum at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun.(Credit: Michele Peterson)

The quantities of seaweed in Cancun and along the Caribbean coast will vary depending upon ocean currents, the size of the sargasso seaweed mat, seasonality, ocean currents and wind conditions. 

If you want to avoid the worst time for seaweed in Cancun and reduce the likelihood of it ruining your vacation, it’s worth considering which beaches to choose for your vacation.

For example there can be large quantities of algae in Petempich Bay, in Puerto Morelos, Recodo Beach, in the municipality of Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen), as well as Punta Mosquitos on Holbox Island. 

Yet the rest of the coast can be relatively clear. 

Where in Cancun is There No Seaweed? 

Coral Beach with no seaweed Cancun
Swimming is often fine along this coast in front of Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

The best bet for beaches near Cancun with no seaweed is to head to the island of Isla Mujeres or to the leeward coast of Cozumel by ferry.

Beautiful Playa Norte (north beach) on Isla Mujeres is almost always clear of seaweed. Many of the hotels on the southwest coast of the island are also seaweed free.

We just returned from the newly-opened Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets and loved its small private beach.

Beach with no seaweed at Impression Isla Mujeres in November 2023.
No seaweed at Impression Isla Mujeres in November 2023. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

For more information on this all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort, read our full review of Impression Isla Mujeres.

Another option is Playa Mujeres on the mainland north of Cancun. It is usually protected from seaweed inundations by Isla Mujeres.

Playa Mujeres in January 2025.
Playa Mujeres on the mainland is somewhat protected from sargassum beaching events. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Also on the mainland, Coral Beach stretches along the northern shores of what’s known as Punta Cancun or the most northerly point of the Cancun Hotel Zone.

 This public beach occasionally gets hit by seaweed but usually it’s nothing major.

Next door at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun Resort & Spa, the private beach is often clear of sargassum. It features soft white sands and clear turquoise waters.

However wind and ocean currents  can change and seaweed conditions at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun can change quickly. 

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LATEST MAP OF SEAWEED CONDITIONS in Cancun 

An advantage of Coral Beach is that the waters are calm and the entry is gradual with no steep drop-off. This makes it ideal for those who aren’t expert swimmers.

In my opinion, this is the best beach in Cancun for swimming. Beginner swimmers, small children and seniors will all enjoy swimming at this beautiful beach.

Best Cancun Beaches Without Seaweed – Playa Gaviotas and Playa Gaviotas Azul

Current seaweed conditions in Cancun Playa Gaviota Cancun October November 2018
This was the scene at Playa Gaviota Azul in early November 2018.

One of the most popular public beaches in Cancun, Playa Gaviotas Azul is located at the northern tip of the hotel zone. 

Beach access  is between Coco Bongo and the Mandala Beach Club opposite Hooters via a narrow alleyway. Current seaweed conditions at Playa Gaviota Azul depend on the intensity of the ocean currents. 

Most small clumps of seaweed on the sand are raked up by hotel staff. There is often very little sargassum seaweed floating offshore. But this is not always the case. 

However wind and ocean currents can change and seaweed conditions can change quickly. 

The major hotels on these beaches include the all-inclusive Krystal Cancun and the Hyatt Ziva Cancun at the point of the peninsula. If you stay at a budget hotel in Cancun with a beach shuttle, this is where you’ll be dropped off.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LATEST MAP OF SEAWEED CONDITIONS in CANCUN.

Best Cancun Beaches Without Seaweed – Playa Delfines / Dolphins Beach

Playa Delfines in Cancun
No invasion of seaweed on this beach in November 2018! (Credit: Michele Peterson)

This long, wide public beach at the southern end of the Hotel Zone is known as Playa Defines. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Cancun.

You’ll also see line-ups of people waiting to get a photo-op in front of the CANCUN  sign.

The amount of seaweed on Playa Delfines varies considerably from week to week. See below for a photo of what it looked like in 2018.

Sargassum seaweed at Playa Delfines Cancun
You can see the sargassum seaweed gathering offshore in this shot from August 2018. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

However wind and ocean currents can change and seaweed conditions can change quickly. 

If there is a lot of seaweed at Playa Delfines, a good option is to take a ferry to Isla Mujeres or Isa Cozumel. The leeward beaches on those islands almost always have no sargassum seaweed. 

Check our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun Riviera-Maya. 

Current Cancun Seaweed Conditions – Sargassum Forecasts for 2025

Brown sargassum at Azul beach in Cancun seaweed season 2021.
Brown sargassum at Azul beach south of Cancun during seaweed season in 2021. (Credit: M. Adams Klein)

Seaweed forecasts by the experts have historically been quite accurate.

A report by Brigitta Ine van Tussenbroek, an ocean researcher from the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology at the National Autonomous University (UNAM) suggested large quantities of sargassum seaweed would return to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Her report was quite accurate. 

For seaweed season in 2025, the  Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS) forecasting  project showed several large floating masses of seaweed in the Atlantic between southern Africa and Brazil.

Whether it lands in Cancun, Chetumal, Tulum or the Riviera Maya will depend much upon atmospheric conditions such as trade winds.

According to the University of South Florida’s  Outlook of Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, based on offshore conditions, the seaweed forecast for 2025 suggests it will be a record-breaking Sargassum year.

So it’s wise to keep a watch on seaweed conditions as landings of sargassum can change from day to day.

Sargassum seaweed in June 2023 on Mexico's Caribbean Coast.
Sargassum seaweed in June 2023 on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.

Current Seaweed Conditions in Tulum

Woman standing in front of Tulum seaweed in 2022.
Seaweed on the beach in Tulum. Credit: Patti Morrow Luggage and Lipstick)

How is the government dealing with the seaweed problem in Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Mexico’s Caribbean Coast?

When needed, the government of Quintana Roo issues an emergency declaration for the municipalities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Isla Mujeres, Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, Solidaridad, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bacalar and Othón P. Blanco.

Declaring a State of Emergency allows local authorities to get funding to combat seaweed by removing accumulations and blocking it by various methods.

Tulum and Chetumal have often been hit the worst. But it’s important to note that from Tulum to Cancun seaweed conditions can change daily depending on tides and water temperature. 

Seaweed on the beach in Tulum in May 2024.
It’s often possible to swim past the sargassum such as this beach in Tulum in May 2024.

If sargassum conditions are bad on Tulum’s beaches, it’s worth trying the beach club at Caleta Tankah. The ocean here often has clear waters.

Or, head inland to Bacalar, a town set on a freshwater lagoon with spectacularly clear waters fed by underground cenotes.

 Playa del Carmen Seaweed in 2025

The popular resort town of Playa del Carmen has been experiencing a double whammy of challenges in recent years.

The main problems are the erosion of its beaches and the influx of sargassum seaweed along the coast. Seaweed in Playa del Carmen has a tendency to get trapped and decompose.

It then smells and release dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S, a colourless, poisonous gas with an unpleasant rotten-egg odor.

But the good news is that in 2025, authorities installed an offshore barrier that’s helping to block large mats of seaweed.  

Sargassum seaweed in Playa del Carmen in 2022.
Sargassum seaweed in Playa del Carmen on August 7, 2022. (Credit: Doctry 360)

The seaweed season usually ends in October in Playa del Carmen.

But if you’re visiting Playa del Carmen in seaweed season, it’s possible to avoid seaweed problems in Playa del Carmen by staying at resorts that have created inland beaches.

A collage of the beaches at Hotel Xcaret Arte in Mexico.
Just a few of the many beaches at Hotel Xcaret Arte in Mexico. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Both the Xcaret Hotel Arte (adults-only) and Xcaret Hotel (family-friendly) have created several inland beaches so guests can avoid major sargassum mats.

Another all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Impression Moxché by Secrets, also created an artificial inland beach where you can enjoy soft sand and clear water in seaweed season.

Further south, a fantastic all-inclusive resort without seaweed is the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventuras. It’s one of the best places to stay in seaweed season in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Here, the inland beach has no seaweed because it’s protected by a rocky breakwater. But the tidal pools allow fresh seawater to enter. The water is clear enough to snorkel among tropical fish and has an added bonus of being quite calm.

Beach with no seaweed at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
Beach with no seaweed accumulation at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in June 2024. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Any sargassum seaweed that manages to sneak into the beach zone is promptly removed by staff. So there’s no seaweed to accumulate and rot.

Great visibility at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya even during height of seaweed season in 2024.
Great visibility at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya even during height of seaweed season in 2024. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

Sargassum Forecast for Seaweed Season in Mexico in 2025

Sargassum beach at Barceló Maya Caribe in Puerto Aventuras.
Even when sargassum is present, it’s often possible to swim in clear waters beyond the shoreline, such as at this beach at the Barceló Maya Caribe. (Credit: Michele Peterson)

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 avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches. 

Beach with sargassum seaweed in Riviera Cancun in January 2025.
Looking south in Riviera Cancun towards Puerto Morelos in January 2025.

January 2025:

 Based on offshore conditions satellite images analyzed by the University of South Florida, the seaweed forecast for 2025 suggests it will be another major Sargassum year.

By January 2025, sargassum had already started to land on certain beaches in the Mexican Caribbean such as Puerto Morelos.

Get the latest seaweed maps on the Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun Facebook Page .

June 2024:

Seaweed in Cancun map for June 2024 by Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.
Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in June 2024. Credit: Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.

July 2021:

Sargassum Map Credit Red de Monitoreo de Sargazo Cancun
Seaweed conditions in July 2021. (Credit Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun)

March 2022 

Cancun seaweed map by Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.
Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in March 2022. Credit: Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.

If you are planning a vacation during seaweed season (May to October), monitor current seaweed conditions throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico by consulting the following resources.

Sargassum Seaweed 2025 Forecast Resources

The resources will also help plan a beach vacation by providing forecasts on seaweed in 2025.   

  1. Check the forecast at the University of South Florida’s  Outlook of Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.  
  2. Consult the Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS), a forecasting  project based in Texas intended to help predict the movement of sargassum blooms. Originally created in 2013 to help with forecasting of the large Sargassum landings in Texas, by 2017 the SEAS project had expanded to provide forecasting for the Gulf Coast, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Haiti, Saba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and many other  Caribbean islands. The SARGASSUM EARLY ADVISORY SYSTEM can forecast sargassum seaweed masses up to eight days in advance. 
  3.  Get seaweed maps, updates and a Seaweed Report from the Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun Facebook Page . This not-for-profit group is made up of engineers, biologists and other experts who are volunteering their time to provide monitoring expertise and services. They publish a map of areas affected by sargasso seaweed in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Tulum. 
  4. Check Riviera Maya and Cancun Beach Webcams at Live Webcam to see live video frames updated every 15 seconds.
  5. Consult our article on Caribbean Beaches Without Seaweed for vacation options in Mexico and several Caribbean islands.  
  6. Subscribe to the free A Taste for Travel newsletter for updates on the best beaches, seaweed conditions and other travel tips!
  7. Consider resorts at beach destinations on Mexico’s Pacific Coast where there is no sargassum. Popular beach destinations include Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Puerto Vallarta.

FAQs

Is seaweed still a problem in Cancun?

Seaweed season in Cancun is May to October so if you are visiting during those months in 2025 you could encounter sargassum seaweed on the beaches and/or in the water.

Based on the quantity of sargassum seaweed currently in the Atlantic, there could be a major seaweed problem in 2025 in the Caribbean Sea (affecting Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen) depending on wind and ocean currents.

What time of year is seaweed bad in Cancun?

The amount of sargassum seaweed in Cancun varies by season and even daily. Generally the worst months for seaweed are July and August.

Does Tulum have a seaweed problem?

Tulum, Mexico has a history of receiving influxes of sargassum seaweed during seaweed season. Seaweed season is generally between May and October. Based on the large size of the sargassum mat currently in the Atlantic, experts forecast that Tulum could have a major seaweed problem in 2025, depending on ocean and wind currents.

More Posts About Cancun and Caribbean Beaches

  • 7 Best Beaches in Punta Cana – Seaweed Conditions, Swimming
  • Best Cancun Resort Day Pass – Secrets The Vine
  • 15 Romantic Things to Do in Cancun for Couples
  • Xpu-Ha Beach: A Perfect Day Trip on Riviera Maya
  • Best all-inclusive Resorts in Cancun Riviera Maya

Save to Pinterest!

Collage of beaches of Cancun
Looking for the best beach in Cancun for swimming? Want to avoid seaweed or a strong undertow? Here's a guide to the best beaches in Cancun's hotel zone . #Cancun #Mexico
 
Seaweed in Cancun 2019
Planning a vacation in Cancun? Read our complete guide to the best beaches in Cancun #Mexico before you go

Seaweed in Cancun 2019

The Best Beaches in Cancun

« Is a Cancun Day Pass to Dreams Playa Mujeres Worth It?
26 Best Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca (in 2025) »

About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Read more about Michele Peterson.

Previous Post: «Ocean View Swimming Pool and Sea Legs Swim Up Bar. Is a Cancun Day Pass to Dreams Playa Mujeres Worth It?
Next Post: 26 Best Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca (in 2025) Surfer with board on a beach at sunset in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Louis

    July 10, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    In Cancun now Westin L&mar beaches are fine but lots of seaweed. We are able to find times in the day and sections along the beach to swim. Not ideal but if your coming to get away and relax you will be able to. If your main purpose is to have daily ocean swims u will be disappointed We will be back next year which will be our 6 year in a row.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      July 10, 2022 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks so much for the update! It’s great to hear you’re finding some clear patches without seaweed to enjoy!

  2. Angela Novigrod

    April 12, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    Dear Michele,

    Wow, thanks for all this info. I never heard of it before. Unfortunetlly I planned a surprise 4 day visit to PDC mid June for hubby’s bday. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt. I’m wondering if it is worth cancelling and planning for another time. I can’t imagine the smell is any fun, gag. The map above says yellow, so not sure how bad this is on the gross meter. Is this part of PDC hit hard? If so does the cleaning efforts correct the issue or is it a summer long problem in this location? Thanks. We do have 1 day tour planned. Thanks for your help.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      April 13, 2022 at 2:38 am

      Hi Angela What a great birthday surprise! The beach south of the dock in PDC gets hit often but it’s hard to predict what the situation might be in June as so much depends on water and wind currents. If it’s bad you can always hop across to Cozumel as the leeward beaches on the island rarely ( if ever) have seaweed.Closer to your travel date you can also check the Red de Monitorio site on Facebook for the latest conditions.

  3. TH

    April 07, 2022 at 9:24 am

    I’ve just booked our first family vacation in years for late June in Cancun, and I’m now terrified it’s going to be ruined by sargassum. I should have done more research on the issue before buying non-refundable airfare.

    We were really looking forward to spending time on the beach and swimming in the ocean. Now I have to figure out how to salvage it. We are staying in the hotel zone, at JW Marriott.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      April 07, 2022 at 10:32 am

      Try not to worry! Sargassum isn’t on the beaches every day and many times is quite light. If it does arrive, then you could take a short ferry to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel where the west-facing beaches rarely receive any seaweed at all. There are also lots of things to do in Cancun such as visit Chichen Itza, go to a cenote or explore the Cancun museum.

  4. Grant

    March 26, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    As someone who lives in Cancun, has PR status, lives on the water, and regularly boats, I find this article pretty hard to swallow.

    While some of it may be accurate, a lot of it is not, and that is truly unfortunate. I can’t help but think a lot of this was based on PR campaigns by American/European companies and news outlets to deter travel.

    This type of information causes divides in people, culture, and society. I was recently invited to speak at an SEO conference in Las Vegas and was asked by two individuals if Cancun was safe. And frankly the only reason they think and ask this is because of articles like this. American/Canadians/Europeans are terrified of Mexico as a result of PR campaign gov/news, meanwhile, I live here and feel safer here than I ever did in the United States or Canada. Go figure.

    In summary, this article isn’t really helping anyone.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      March 28, 2022 at 11:56 am

      If you live on the water in Cancun then you must surely be aware of the increasing problem with sargassum seaweed. It affects not only Mexico but many other Caribbean islands as I point out. I do agree that many people are inordinately afraid to travel to Mexico but believe this is due to highly publicized news of cartels, crime and gun violence rather than seaweed.I’ve personally seen more gun violence in Toronto Canada than I’ve ever seen in my 40 years of travels to Mexico.

    • Joel A****

      April 04, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      We went to Sandos Playcar in Playa del Carmen June 2021 and sargassum wrecked our 2 week vacation. Red flags along the entire coast from Sandos Playacar up to 5th Street. We attempted to go snorkeling off the coast, but a person in our party got stung by jelly fish that were in the sargassum.

      Also we and several others vacationing had all sorts of weird police, cartel, and drug dealer interactions that we never had before. There’s a desperation for tourism on the Riviera Maya since tourism took a blow during the pandemic and now this growing sargasso weed problem.

      We have been going to Cancun and Playa del Carmen for 18 years, and will not waste our time and money going until this ecological (not climate change) problem is fixed.

    • Michele Peterson

      April 05, 2022 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks for the update, Joel. So sorry you weren’t able to enjoy your vacation. Sadly, Playa del Carmen seems to be getting hit again this year.

    • Patricia Faithfull

      February 15, 2024 at 12:39 pm

      Well, you are very pompous and inappropriately surecif yourself. This article is a god-send to those of us who want our tropical $$$ to be wisely allotted to a good time to avoid the hazards of sargasm.

      Regarding safety, having been shot at (no joke) by an American having road rage with our Uber driver, I also can say the US is a he’ll hole of violence. Mexico is safer than the US, but what countries aren’t, lol?

      This post should be deleted from this informative and useful blog.. Michelle, just do it. This guy is clearly a self-important hater to be using his time to troll; what self respecting person doesn’t just MOVE ON if they don’t find what they want. He was likely trying to get your attention to ride your successful coat-tail as a “local source”. But I truly HATE to see bullies on social media.

    • Michele Peterson

      February 19, 2024 at 10:03 am

      Many thanks for your support and feedback Patricia. I’m really happy you’ve found the information in this post to be helpful. I do try to provide honest and current information to the best of my ability using my own onsite observations and those of local contacts!

  5. Aymy

    August 11, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Great update! I hope in 2021,the sargazo situacion will be better!
    https://soymujerradiante.com

    Reply
  6. Sophie Fairmont

    December 26, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    Hi,
    I am wondering what the red tide will be like from the 4-9th of January 2021. My mom and I are planning traveling. Also wondering if it is COVID-19 safe.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      December 27, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Hi Sophie Red tide is very different than sargasso seaweed and January is well outside of seaweed season so it’s very unlikely you’ll see an influx of sargasso seaweed. You can see the latest statistics on COVID-19 in Cancun at this link https://qroo.gob.mx/sesa/nuevo-coronavirus-covid-19 and I recommend you check with your hotel directly about their safety standards and protocols. I hope that helps!

  7. Carmen Berg

    August 11, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this article! It is so helpful to see and understand the reason of this phenomenon. We are planning a family reunion for July 2020 in Playa del Carmen. However, by reading this article I learned of other options to stay at. I will keep a close look at the forecast and accumulation.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      August 12, 2019 at 7:58 am

      Great to hear you found it helpful, Carmen!

    • Jean

      May 16, 2020 at 6:29 pm

      Are you still traveling to Cancun in July? Or have your altered your plans due to COVID-19?

  8. Deborah White

    July 29, 2019 at 4:40 pm

    What is the forecast for April 3, 2020 for Riviera Maya? We will be staying at Grand Velas.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      July 29, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      It’s very difficult to predict seaweed conditions so far in advance. But generally speaking April isn’t the height of seaweed season so that’s a promising sign. It’s worth checking on the resources I’ve listed and register for updates from the Grupo de Red de Minitoreo de Cancun on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/2272972109391283/) as they publish maps and forecasts for the coast of Mexico. Grand Velas is a beautiful resort with lots to do so even if you do get some seaweed it’s a lovely place to be.

  9. Sara

    July 07, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    Thank you for the information. We were there in June 2018 and, as other have said, The beaches are perky, full of the sea grass, with an offense of order. We’re hoping to return and fall of this year. Any advice?

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      July 07, 2019 at 10:59 pm

      Hi Sara…sorry to hear you had such a unpleasant experience last June! The good news is that generally the fall season sees less seaweed than summer. I was at Coral Beach in Cancun in late 2018 and there was no seaweed for the duration of my stay. It’s difficult to predict as much depends on winds and ocean currents as well as where on the coast you are headed. I’ll post any updates as I get them so please do check back!

  10. Luis

    May 24, 2019 at 9:08 pm

    We’ve been at Catalonia Playa Maroma this week and the water looks like sewage. We had six days of brownish water which we were able to swim in and enjoy, but it was really bad today. Yikes. Hope they can get it under control. It’s beautiful here.

    Reply
  11. Adam

    January 06, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    what the the current seaweed situation and erosion in Playa del Carmen? We going down March 2019. Thanks

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      January 06, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      It really depends where in Playa del Carmen you are going…there is a fair bit of beach erosion in front of some resorts which makes it hard to dodge seaweed when there’s an influx. Today there is some mucky accumulation while other stretches are fairly clear. That having been said, New Year’s Day in front of Kool Beach Club and Mamitas there was quite a bit of seaweed but not overwhelming. People were still swimming in the sea. It’s hard to predict the situation in March….but you can check out the current conditions via a beach cam at this link https://www.playadelcarmen.com/information/webcam

  12. Carole Terwilliger Meyers

    November 11, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    Who knew there was so much to learn about seaweed? I did see a lot of it in Barbados in late October. The hotel employees were busy every day raking it up and burying it.

    Reply
  13. Irene S. Levine

    November 07, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    You’ve created an excellent resource for visitors to Cancun. I also learned a lot about sargassum.

    Reply
  14. Debbra Dunning Brouillette

    November 07, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    Thanks for the information, Michelle! I know red tide has been a big problem on the Gulf Coast of Florida this year, so whenever we are traveling to a coastal area, it’s a good idea to check the current local conditions…

    Reply
  15. Doreen Pendgracs

    November 07, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Thx so much for the information. I had no idea there has been a seaweed problem in the Cancun area. It is interesting to know how many changes we are facing as a consequence of climate change.

    Reply
  16. jane

    November 07, 2018 at 10:08 am

    SO helpful! For people who are planning a Cancun escape this is so good to know.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      November 07, 2018 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Jane! I hope it’s handy for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful part of Mexico.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • Sargassum seaweed in Cancun 2018
    Insider’s Guide to Seaweed Conditions in Cancun and Riviera Maya (in 2025)
  • Seeing flamingos is a top thing to do in Aruba.
    30 Best Things to Do in Aruba (10 Free!)
  • Overhead shot of Guatemala National Dish Pepian de Pollo
    Pepián de Pollo – Guatemalan Spiced Chicken Stew
  • No Sargassum seaweed on Grand Anse Beach Grenada
    10 Best Caribbean Beaches Without Seaweed (in 2025)
  • View of cruise port and Paradise Island Nassau Bahamas.
    15 Bucket List Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas
  • A tray of tortellini skewer appetizers to take on a boat.
    27 Best Boating Snacks To Enjoy This Summer

Sun Destination Travel & Food

  • Swimming pool at Breathless Riviera Cancun Credit Sue Campbell
    10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya
  • Beautiful beach bar on Bonaire in Dutch Caribbean.
    10 Unforgettable Beach Bars in Bonaire
  • Young man holding a dorado fish in a Puerto Escondido restaurant.
    21 Best Restaurants in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca (2025)
  • Swim at Ciolo Bridge
    15 Reasons to Put Santa Maria di Leuca on Your Bucket List
  • View of one of the bays in Huatulco Oaxaca.
    26 Bucket List Things to Do in Huatulco, Oaxaca
  • A pontoon tour is one of the top things to do in Bacalar, Mexico.
    Bacalar is Mexico’s Coolest Town. Here’s Why!

Michele Peterson in Tuscany Italy Credit Insight Vacations.

Hi! I'm Michele, publisher of A Taste for Travel, one of the world’s top culinary travel blogs, welcoming over 2 million readers annually! 

Along with a team of expert travel writers, enthusiastic eaters and skilled photographers, we help readers plan incredible adventures and make delicious global recipes at home.

More about us →

Booking.com

Site Footer

Follow A Taste for Travel

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2016–2025 A Taste for Travel