Red Alert Issued for Sargassum on Cozumel and Xcalak Coasts as Mexican Caribbean Braces for Tourist Season

Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo — Authorities have issued a red alert for sargassum seaweed on beaches in Xcalak and Cozumel as Mexico’s Caribbean coast prepares for an influx of tourists during the upcoming holiday season.

Beaches at El Naranjal, Xcalak, and “Isla de las Golondrinas” are under red alert due to heavy sargassum accumulation, according to monitoring data from sargassummonitoring.com. Meanwhile, beaches in Mahahual, Tulum, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen show moderate seaweed levels with yellow alerts, while Puerto Morelos and Cancún remain at green alert with minimal sargassum presence.

The monitoring data comes from satellite information provided by the University of Florida, along with data from Mexico’s Water Technology Institute and the Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat.

Separate community-based monitoring from Sargazo Info reported that eight beaches from Tulum to Cancún showed moderate sargassum presence on Saturday, including El Cielo in Cozumel; beaches 72 and 88; Playacar phases 1 and 2; Mamitas in Playa del Carmen; and Langosta and Del Niño in Cancún. Another 24 beaches reported minimal seaweed, while 10 beaches in Cancún, Cozumel, and Tulum remained completely clear.

The tourism secretary recently announced that sargassum arrived early to the Mexican Caribbean this year, primarily affecting coastal areas in the region. Officials said they are implementing measures to mitigate the impact before the arrival of travelers for Lent and the Easter holiday season, which runs from March 29 to April 5, 2026.

Local Responses

In Tulum, business owners have demanded that municipal authorities take emergency action after identifying that last year’s sargassum presence contributed to low occupancy rates.

Playa del Carmen has launched a strategy called “Sargassum Challenge 2026,” which includes doubling containment barriers from 2.5 to 5 kilometers to prevent seaweed from reaching the coast, along with deploying cleaning crews at 15 coastal points.

On Tuesday, officials held a working meeting in Puerto Morelos to review containment plans for the town’s 20 kilometers of coastline. The meeting included local authorities, Mexican Navy officials, National Commission of Natural Protected Areas representatives, and business sector participants.

Rear Admiral Topiltzin Flores Jaramillo, who leads the Navy’s sargassum strategy, announced that the sargassum collection vessel Natans will be deployed, capable of collecting over 200 tons daily. The operation will also include smaller vessels and an amphibious vehicle to transport seaweed ashore for faster removal and to prevent decomposition on beaches.