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.
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: 2025 Updates
April 2: Latest Images of Sargassum Seaweed Situation from FB Reporting Group + MAP + Satellite Image
Latest images and videos of sargassum seaweed arrivals along the Mexican Caribbean coast.
Latest MAP of the sargassum seaweed distribution along the Mexican Caribbean coast.
Latest satellite images of the sargassum distribution across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
From the images below, we can expect a massive seaweed arrival in April.
March 4: Latest Images of Sargassum Seaweed Situation from FB Reporting Group
February 27: Sargassum Seaweed Map of the Mexican Caribbean Coast & Satellite Images
March 1: Third Wave of Sargassum Reaches Yucatán Coast and Quintana Roo Expects 30,000 – 40,000 tons of Sargassum in 2025
Following the passage of seven meteorological systems this year, including Cold Front 28, Yucatán’s coastline has been impacted by a third wave of sargassum. The most affected area is the northern municipality of Yobaín, particularly the port of Chabihau, where local fishermen, such as Rubén, report severe disruptions to their work due to the accumulation of seaweed in their nets. This influx of sargassum has affected 12 beaches along a 110-kilometer stretch from Puerto Chuburná to Dzilam de Bravo. Javier Medina, a representative of the Yucatán Fishermen’s Association, explained that heavy rainfall has loosened sediment from the seabed, exacerbating the issue. Authorities report that 12,000 tons of sargassum have been collected in Yucatán so far this year—5,000 more than during the same period in 2024.
In neighboring Quintana Roo, sargassum deposits are also increasing, with projections indicating this year could see the highest influx in four years. According to the state’s Sargassum Monitoring Network, satellite imagery from NASA shows vast patches of sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean moving toward the region. Esteban Amaro, from the monitoring network, estimates that between 30,000 and 40,000 additional tons of sargassum may arrive in the Mexican Caribbean.
February 24, 2025 – Sargassum Seaweed Update (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, etc.
Mexican Caribbean saw a massive sargassum arrival last week, marking the beginning of the sargassum seaweed season 2025. As the temperatures in the region are rising, we can expect an influx in daily sargassum seaweed arrivals.
Latest images from FB reporting group between February 19 – 24, 2025:
Latest Satellite Images by Optical Oceanography Laboratory of the University of South Florida (between February 16 – February 22, 2025)
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
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
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.)
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
April 17 – 19
Latest news, photos, and video from recent seaweed arrival
Source: Traveling Lifestyle
April 15 – 16
Latest photo & video updates:
