Welcome to the Quintana Roo Cun coastline! From Cancún to Isla Mujeres, locals and visitors alike have long enjoyed its legendary beauty. And this year could be an even better time for a beach vacation than usual— according to recent reports from experts in Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), sargassum levels along the beaches of Quintana Roo are currently at some of their lowest points since they began being measured here five years ago.
With the region’s vibrant sunsets, crystal-clear waters, and stunning white sands continuing undisturbed by seaweden clogging piles of sargosum, now is an especially opportune moment for you to enjoy all that Quintana Roo has to offer.
What Is Sargassum And Why Has It Been So Prevalent In Recent Years?
Sargassum is a type of seaweed that can spread into massive mats, covering stretches of coastline with its distinctive yellowish-brown hue. While it’s very difficult to completely remove due to its large size and density, it does release a foul odor when it decays, ruining the otherwise pristine beaches of Quintana Roo and their accompanying turquoise waters.
The sargassum season typically begins in May and peaks during June and July, but this year the weed arrived as early as April. The recent uptick in sargassum has been caused by an increased concentration of nutrients in the ocean, resulting from human activities such as runoff agriculture and sewage. To combat these effects, CONANP has mobilized a beach monitoring network to keep a watchful eye on the level of sargassum washing ashore along the Quintana Roo coastline.
This year, their efforts have been successful; thanks to the diligent monitoring of the beach monitoring network, Quintana Roo currently has some of its lowest sargassum levels in five years. As a result, travelers can enjoy stretches of coastline practically free from this seaweed nuisance and bask in all that this stunning region has to offer.
Recent Reports
Quintana Roo, the Mexican state that contains some of the popular tourist destinations like Cancun and Cozumel, has recently reported low levels of sargassum. This is great news for vacationers looking to visit these tropical paradises!
The report was made by a monitoring network set up by SEDEMA, the Civil Defense and Prevention Agency of Quintana Roo. It stated that there were only low quantities of the seaweed in the northern part of the state. The exception to this was Coral Beach, Riviera Cancun, Moon Palace, Royalton Riviera, Petempich Bay and Punta Caracol which all reported moderate presence of sargassum.
The New York Times published a report recently stating that the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB) has grown abnormally since 2011 due to excessive nutrient-rich overflow from the Congo, Amazon and Mississippi rivers. In March 2023, this seaweed belt is estimated to have reached 13.5 million metric tons. Consequently, it has been linked to intense sargassum influx along the shorelines of Quintana Roo in Mexico, though reports state that this region has experienced lower levels than other areas.
Local authorities in Quintana Roo have taken steps to reduce the sargassum accumulation, such as using large desalination machines to remove it from the shoreline and implementing sea barriers that help keep it at bay. These efforts have been successful in reducing the levels of sargassum on the state’s beaches, making it a much more enjoyable experience for visitors.
To make sure that sargassum levels stay low and manageable, representatives from SEDEMA recommend that tourists avoid littering on the beach as it can end up in the ocean and attract even more seaweed to accumulate. They also advise people not to go into the water if there is a large amount of sargassum present, as it can be dangerous.
Bottom-Line
So if you’re looking for an unforgettable beach vacation, now is a great time to visit Quintana Roo. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the world and with the current low sargassum levels, you can enjoy them without having to worry about seaweed piles spoiling your getaway. Whether you’re planning on lounging on the sand or snorkeling along the nearby reefs, you’ll find plenty to marvel at during a trip to the Quintana Roo Cun coastline. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by— come and experience firsthand why so many have fallen in love with this special corner of Mexico.
