In 2026, the sargassum seaweed season within the Cancun space seems to start out sooner than beforehand predicted.
Facebook photo reports and satellite tv for pc knowledge analyzed by researchers at Florida Atlantic College point out that Sargassum concentrations within the Atlantic Ocean are already rising, elevating considerations that this yr’s inflow may match the severity of final season.
Though the precise timing of landfall stays unsure, Early indicators counsel that coastal areas within the Mexican Caribbean may once more face vital environmental and financial challenges within the coming months.
Normally, these are the seashores most affected by excessive algae concentrations Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumaland sure areas in between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.
Nevertheless, this can be very tough to precisely predict which seashores can be affected and to what extent, as situations change nearly each day and sometimes with out discover.
Learn on for the most recent info on the sargassum state of affairs on Mexico’s seashores.
What’s the seaweed sargassum and what causes it?
Sargassum is a floating brown seaweed distinguished by its leaf construction and small, air-filled bladders that permit it to stay afloat on the ocean’s floor.
In recent times, large-scale sargassum blooms within the Caribbean and throughout the Atlantic have been more and more linked to a mix of nutrient air pollution from agricultural runoff and wastewater, rising ocean temperatures as a result of local weather change, and altering ocean currents. Collectively, these elements speed up sargassum development, leading to vital environmental disruption and financial strain for affected coastal communities.
When does seaweed season begin in Cancun (Mexican Caribbean)?
In response to the info of the previous 2 years, the seaweed season in Cancun begins in February and peaks between April and August. In some areas close to Cancun, reminiscent of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, the height begins as early as February.
Sargassum forecast 2026
Satellite tv for pc photographs of the Laboratory of Optical Oceanography at the University of Florida is used as an vital instrument to watch and estimate the progress of the sargassum season.
Nevertheless, Correct predictions stay tough as a result of the motion of sargassum is influenced by a spread of dynamic variables. Ocean currents and sea floor temperatures play a very vital position in figuring out how and the place sargassum mats journey and finally attain coastal areas.
Primarily based on the satellite tv for pc photographs beneath, Present indicators level to a different doubtlessly extreme sargassum season, with concentrations anticipated to start out rising as early as February.
Sargassum seaweed within the Cancun area now: updates for 2026
January 20, 2026: Guests report early arrival of sargassum in Tulum, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and different areas
Our touring way of life sargassum reporting FB group has already been flooded with images of the arrival of enormous sargassoes at the start of January.
ARCHIVES and PHOTOGRAPHS of the 2025 Sargassum seaweed season
June 20: Mexican seashores overwhelmed by worst arrival in Sargassum ever
Satellite tv for pc photographs present the continuing invasion of sargassum seaweed coming into the Caribbean
April 2: Newest photographs of the Sargassum seaweed state of affairs from FB reporting group + MAP + Satellite tv for pc picture
Newest photographs and movies of sargassum seaweed arrival alongside the Mexican Caribbean coast.
Newest MAP of the distribution of sargassum seaweed alongside the Mexican Caribbean coast.
Newest satellite tv for pc photographs of the unfold of sargassum throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Primarily based on the photographs beneath, we will anticipate an enormous arrival of seaweed in April.
March 4: Newest photographs of the Sargassum seaweed state of affairs from FB Reporting Group
February 27: Sargassum seaweed map of the Mexican Caribbean coast and satellite tv for pc photographs
March 1: Third wave of Sargassum reaches Yucatán and Quintana Roo coasts anticipated 30,000 – 40,000 tons from Sargassum in 2025
Following the passage of seven meteorological programs this yr, together with Chilly Entrance 28, the Yucatán shoreline has been hit by a 3rd wave of sargassum. Probably the most affected space is the northern municipality of Yobaín, particularly the port of Chabihau, the place native fishermen, reminiscent of Rubén, report critical disruptions to their work because of the accumulation of seaweed of their nets. This inflow of sargassum has hit twelve seashores alongside a 110-kilometer stretch from Puerto Chuburná to Dzilam de Bravo. Javier Medina, a consultant of the Fishermen’s Affiliation of Yucatán, defined that heavy rains have loosened sediment from the seabed, exacerbating the issue. Authorities report that 12,000 tons of sargassum have been collected within the Yucatán to this point this yr – 5,000 greater than the identical interval in 2024.
In neighboring Quintana Roo, sargassum deposits are additionally rising, with forecasts indicating this yr may see the best inflow in 4 years. In response to the state’s Sargassum Monitoring Community, NASA satellite tv for pc photographs present enormous swathes of sargassum within the Atlantic Ocean shifting towards the area. Esteban Amaro, of the monitoring community, estimates that between 30,000 and 40,000 further tons of sargassum may arrive within the Mexican Caribbean.
February 24, 2025 – Sargassum Seaweed Replace (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and so forth.
The Mexican Caribbean noticed an enormous arrival of sargassum final week, marking the beginning of the 2025 sargassum seaweed season. With temperatures rising within the area, we will anticipate an inflow of each day sargassum seaweed arrivals.
Newest photographs from the FB reporting group between February 19 – 24, 2025:
Newest satellite tv for pc photographs from the College of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Laboratory (between February 16 and February 22, 2025)
Newest information: Might South Florida expertise a serious seaweed occasion within the spring of 2025? Satellite tv for pc photographs counsel so (NBCMiami.com)
Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy remembers fishing together with his grandfather close to Miami, searching for sargassum as a result of it was an indication of plentiful marine life. Sargassum gives habitat for a number of species, together with younger mahi-mahi, however extreme flowering may cause issues.
Satellite tv for pc photographs from the College of South Florida (USF) present unusually excessive ranges of sargassum within the central and japanese Atlantic Ocean in December 2024 – above the seventy fifth percentile for the previous 15 years. Though it’s nonetheless far offshore, a few of it’s anticipated to achieve Florida.
Sargassum thrives on daylight and vitamins, doubling in dimension each 10 days. Consultants predict that 2025 may very well be one other main increase yr, relying on nutrient availability.
Newest satellite tv for pc photographs from the College of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Laboratory
Satellite tv for pc photographs from January 20 to 26 present an enormous sargassum mass floating within the Atlantic Ocean and anticipated to achieve the Mexican Caribbean in March or April 2025.
ARCHIVES and PHOTOGRAPHS of the 2024 Sargassum seaweed season
Could 22 – June 7
