Cancun Sargassum Season 2025 – Predictions, Updates, MAP, etc.
5 min readIn 2025, the seaweed season in the Cancun Area is slowly starting and sargassum is already invading some beaches across the Mexican Caribbean coast. Based on the latest satellite images (see below) experts predict 2025 could be another major bloom year, depending on nutrient availability. Generally, the 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 […]
The post Cancun Sargassum Season 2025 – Predictions, Updates, MAP, etc. appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.
In 2025, the seaweed season in the Cancun Area is slowly starting and sargassum is already invading some beaches across the Mexican Caribbean coast. Based on the latest satellite images (see below) experts predict 2025 could be another major bloom year, depending on nutrient availability.
Generally, the 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.
Table of Content
What is the seaweed sargasso and what is causing it?
Sargassum is a floating brown seaweed known for its leafy appearance and air-filled bladders that help with buoyancy.
Recent surges in sargassum blooms, especially in the Caribbean and Atlantic, are linked to nutrient pollution from agriculture and waste, climate change, and shifting ocean currents. These conditions fuel rapid growth, causing major environmental and economic problems for coastal areas.
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.
Sargassum Seaweed Cancun Right Now (January 29, 2025 Update)
Levels of sargassum seaweed have been low / to none around the Cancun Hotel Zone during the first month of 2025, but the latest satellite images already predict another heavy sargassum seaweed season.
Latest News: Could South Florida see a major seaweed event by spring 2025? Satellite imagery suggests so (NBCMiami.com)
Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy recalls fishing off Miami with his grandfather, searching for sargassum because it signaled abundant marine life. Sargassum provides habitat for various species, including juvenile mahi-mahi, but excessive blooms can cause problems.
Satellite images from the University of South Florida (USF) show an unusually high amount of sargassum in the Central and East Atlantic as of December 2024—ranking above the 75th percentile for the past 15 years. While still far offshore, some of it is expected to reach Florida.
Sargassum thrives with sunlight and nutrients, doubling in size every 10 days. Experts predict 2025 could be another major bloom year, depending on nutrient availability.
Latest Satellite Images by Optical Oceanography Laboratory of the University of South Florida
Satellite images from January 20–26 reveal a vast sargassum mass drifting in the Atlantic Ocean, expected to reach the Mexican Caribbean by March or April 2025.
ARCHIVES and PHOTOS from the 2024 Sargassum Seaweed Season
Latest Mexican Caribbean Coast Sargassum Seaweed Map (July 2024)
According to the latest seaweed distribution map by the Quintana Roo monitoring network, the situation improved on most of the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean. 92 out of 100.
Latest Cancun seaweed photo updates (July):
Latest Cancun seaweed photo updates (June):
Cancun video seaweed report (by Traveling Lifestyle) – May 15, 2024
[embedded content]
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
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
Daily Seaweed Updates and Beach Photos (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, etc.):
July 2024: After Hurricane Beryl, Cancun enjoys low levels of sargassum seaweed but other parts of the Mexican Caribbean coast still battle arrivals
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.)
[embedded content]
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:
[embedded content]
April 24 – 29
Latest photo updates from Puerto Morels and Playa del Carmen
[embedded content]
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.
Source: Traveling Lifestyle
Video report from Puerto Morelos (by Traveling Lifestyle)
[embedded content]
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):
Source: Traveling Lifestyle
Discover more from Slow Travel News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
