Sargassum in Mahahual Costa Maya

May 20

So I know you’ve heard: there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of sargassum arriving to the Caribbean coasts of México, as well as other areas of North and South America.

In recent years there has been an increase in the amount of sargassum arriving to the Caribbean coasts of México and to other countries down to Aruba.

Recent efforts to prevent this arrival to beaches such as Mahahual have been relatively unsuccessful and will lead to environmental disasters if something is not done to prevent ongoing ecological damage. Check this NAT GEO article for further reading.

So, what does this mean for Mahahual? The sargassum is a headache, and government efforts should be stepped up exponentially to prevent further negative effects.

Fortunately for tourists, you can still enjoy a visit to the reef by boat as our snorkeling areas on the Great Mesoamerican Reef are relatively clear of sargassum. You can still explore the coral reef and see some amazing marine life on your visit.

Also, many people express concerns over skin irritations due to sargassum. No doubt, rotting seaweed at the seashore could cause irritation for swimmers with sensitivities. However, swimming along with small patches of floating sargassum over the reef is quite harmless. It’s always a good idea to use UV protective swimwear like rash guards when taking a visit to the reef.