Cancún Intensifies Sargassum Cleanup After Southern Winds Drive Algae Ashore

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Recent strong southern winds have triggered a surge of sargassum on several beaches in Cancún, prompting authorities in Benito Juárez to step up cleanup efforts, particularly in the hotel zone.

Antonio de la Torre Chambé, director of Public Services, said the south winds have been key in driving the seaweed ashore in large quantities. So far, crews have collected 6,500 metric tons of sargassum, though he noted the season has not yet reached its peak.

The most affected beaches are Marlín and Ballenas, where officials have increased personnel and deployed tractors to speed up daily removal, as access for hauling the material to public roads is difficult.

In contrast, beaches such as Gaviota Azul, Chac Mool, San Miguelito, and Delfines are experiencing moderate accumulations. Special monitoring is in place at Playa Delfines and Playa Coral due to their size and strategic location facing ocean currents.

As the season progresses, the Benito Juárez municipal government is coordinating with the state Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) and the Mexican Navy to implement joint measures aimed at reducing sargassum’s impact at the start of the tourist season.