Sargassum Overwhelms 55 Beaches Across Mexico’s Caribbean Coast

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The number of beaches in the Mexican Caribbean affected by excessive sargassum has risen to 55, according to the latest update from the Sargassum Traffic Light monitoring system, as of May 18.

In the northern part of the state, 30 beaches are classified as red (excessive sargassum), including Punta Cancun, Cancun Playa Gaviota Azul, Cancun Playa Chac-Mool, Punta Caracol, Puerto Morelos Norte, Playacar Terminal del Ferry, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal Media Luna, Bahia de Akumal, Bahia Principe, Xcacel-Xcacelito, Bahia Soliman, Tankah, Tulum Zona Arqueologica, and Tulum Zona Hotelera Norte.

Other northern beaches affected are Punta Piedra, Tulum Zona Hotelera Sur, Arco Maya, Punta Molas, Playa Xhanan, Playa El Castillo, Playa Mezcalitos, Playa Chumul, Playa Chen Rio, Mirador San Martin, Playa Punta Chiqueros, Playa Bonita, Playa Encantada, Playa El Mirador, and Punta Celarain.

In the southern region, 25 beaches are experiencing excessive sargassum: Playa Houston, Playa Campechen, Boca Paila, Zamach, Casa Chable, Pesca Maya, Playa Blanca, Chaac Mool, Maria Elena, Cayo Chal, Punta Herrero, Mahahual Norte, Mahahual Faro, Mahahual Blue Kay, Mahahual Pargo, Playa Mahahual, Mahahual Yaya, Punta Herradura, Xahuayxol, Rio Huache, Casa del Sol, Playa Sonrisa, Xcalak, Canal de Zaragoza, and Bacalar Chico.

Of the 140 monitored zones along Quintana Roo’s coastline, 25 beaches have abundant sargassum (orange), 24 have moderate levels (yellow), 31 have low levels (green), and only five beaches are completely free of sargassum (green). The sargassum-free beaches are Holbox Ferry, Chiquila, and Isla Contoy in the north, and Banco Chinchorro Norte and Banco Chinchorro Sur in the south.