Foul-Smelling Sargassum Invades Caribbean Beaches: What Planners Need to Know

This dense, brown seaweed, which is experiencing its worst year yet, is already wreaking havoc on beaches throughout the Caribbean.
The month of May saw an explosion of the nasty-smelling brown seaweed known as sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean, increasing from 31 million metric tons in April to 37.5 million — the largest amount since monitoring began in 2011.
The bloom, which typically runs from April to October, is already blanketing beaches from Puerto Rico to the Yucatan Peninsula, which includes Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. These island-like masses are expected to continue their spread in June, invading the western Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the beaches along the Southern U.S. coastline.
Sargassum is a form of algae that releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which can be dangerous to pregnant women and people with respiratory issues. The tiny sea creatures that bury themselves in the seaweed can cause rashes and blisters if they come in contact with skin.
It's also a nuisance for resorts, and makes it difficult, if not impossible, for planners to host beach activities and hold waterfront events because of the smell.
Mexico is actively addressing sargassum by focusing on four dozen beaches along the Yucatán Peninsula and Caribbean coast. Punta Cana has invested in barriers to prevent seaweed from reaching the shore. However, smaller Caribbean islands without the budget to address this issue are leaving the cleanup to the individual hotels. Some resorts are even installing their own barriers, such as the new AVA Resort Cancun, which just hosted the annual IRF Invitational this week.
What Can Planners Do?
The first step for planners is to get informed, said Kimberly Ruby, client engagement manager, marketing, at Canada Life Reinsurance, who began researching beach resorts for a vacation and could not find a single property that was addressing the issue.
'Properties need to make guests aware. It's like ADA concerns. I'd like to know ahead of time that your elevator is down. I can't make a decision if I don't know about it.'
There are many ways planners can be affected. 'If I select a venue for a site visit and then see the sargassum — and smell it — I've wasted time and money visiting,' she said. 'Even worse would be having to scramble to create a Plan B for a beach event, then worry about health issues among attendees.'
She suggests speaking with a lawyer about adding a frustration of purpose clause to the contract if the unusable condition of the beach extends beyond a certain date. 'It might help you get out of working with that particular hotel, but it still doesn't solve the issue of finding a last-minute replacement.'
Sargassum Monitoring
There are several online resources online that planners can use to track the sargassum bloom in real time, including:

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Travel + Leisure

an hour ago

• Travel + Leisure

As a Floridian, I've Tested Dozens of Sandals—and I'm Packing This Supportive Platform Style on Every Trip

As a Floridian, I live in sandals almost year-round. When it gets really hot outside, the last thing I want to put on my feet are socks and sneakers. You might think that sandals are too flimsy and unsupportive to wear for all-day walking, but I've found they can be just as supportive as sneakers, while doubling as a stylish yet comfortable swap for heels for an evening out. If you're traveling carry-on only, packing versatile sandals is a huge pro for saving serious luggage space. Comfortable walking sandals do exist, and no, they don't all look like clunky podiatrist-prescribed orthopedic shoes. As a former cruise ship performer and current travel writer, I've tested dozens of sandals in my lifetime—and I own more than 30 pairs at this moment. When I test a new pair of sandals, I'm comparing them against years of personal trial, so I was surprised at how well the Kuru Loma Sandals performed, given the stiff competition they were up against. I wore the Kuru sandals exploring all 66 acres of Sarasota's John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, including the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. It's a lot of walking, and the Lomas delivered. The campus is so big you really need several days to explore it, but if you want to try and see it all in a day, it can be done with the right comfy footwear. I was initially hesitant about investing in a platform shoe because I typically prefer my sandals to be thin, lightweight, and packable to save space and weight in my carry-on. However, the platform sole is made out of lightweight, foam-like material that is virtually weightless. Another crucial aspect I noticed about the Kuru Lomas is the way they hugged my heels each time I took a step. The cork footbed cups your heel pad, while the platform material flexes to absorb impact. Our heels are the first thing to strike the ground when we walk, and they take the brunt of the impact of the stride, which is why the cushioning on these sandals is so important to absorb some of that impact. I also loved the impressive arch support in these shoes. I have the kinds of arches that don't touch the ground when I stand, so I need a high level of arch support from my shoes and sandals. Luckily, the same design that cups my heel when I walk in these Kuru platform sandals also cradles my arches and makes them supportive enough for all-day wear. The adjustable straps and flexible design add to the comfort of these shoes because I can get the perfect fit without the shoe being too tight or loose. And, the elastic cross strap on the Lomas is perfect because it wraps my foot and gives it the flexibility to move without a rubbing effect that could cause blisters. Finally, the Loma cork footbed wicks away moisture, which adds to the shoe's overall comfort by preventing wet, sweaty feet (that can lead to blisters). Since roaming the Ringling Museum, I've worn these shoes a lot more on daily walks and uneven terrain. They're still one of the most comfortable pairs of sandals I own. That said, the Velcro strap is starting to wear with heavy use, so I'd love to see a buckle option for durability. As an avid sandal wearer with above-average standards for arch support and long-wear comfort, I can say that the Kuru Lomas are worth buying. I recommend them if you're headed somewhere hot where you'll be on your feet all day. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

CBS News

4 hours ago

• CBS News

Panthers parade set for Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. Here's what you need to know

As Fort Lauderdale prepares for the Florida Panthers' second straight Stanley Cup championship parade, city officials and fans are offering key advice for navigating the celebration. With large crowds expected, transportation and parking will be major considerations for anyone heading to the beachside event. Parade route and rally details The parade begins at noon Sunday on A1A at Riomar Street and continues south to Southeast 5th Street, where a rally will be held on a stage. Crews have already started setting up barricades and building the stage along the beach. "The Elbo Room all the way down the beach. It's gonna be amazing," said Rich Rodriguez, who attended last year's celebration. Rodriguez and his friend Alex Guzman described the 2023 event as a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and one that gave them important insight into planning for this year's festivities. "If you're driving here, you're just gonna get stuck somewhere," Rodriguez said. Parking, transportation and arrival tips The City of Fort Lauderdale says 26 nearby parking garages will be open for the event, but walking distances to the venue could range from five minutes to over an hour. "Parking is gonna be difficult. So make sure you use ride share or carpool. Water taxi will be available," said Mayor Dean Trantalis. Rodriguez and Guzman opted for the water taxi last year and say it's the way to go. "It's well worth it. You don't have to drive. If you're drinking you don't have to worry about anything like that. The traffic. You can see there are two lanes on the road and it's gonna be really really crowded," Rodriguez said. Rodriguez added that he arrived at the water taxi about three and a half hours before the start of the parade last year. "Last time we got here at about 8:30 and there were already hundreds of thousands of people here. And it was stormy," he said. Police presence and safety measures Fort Lauderdale police say there are no known threats to the event. Officials added that it will be "all hands on deck," meaning nearly every officer not on vacation will be working during Sunday's parade.

Yahoo

5 hours ago

• Yahoo

Acapulco gets back to routine following hurricane Erick

Restaurants, shops, and supermarkets gradually reopened Friday in Mexico's resort city of Acapulco as authorities continued to assess damage, clear debris, and monitor rising rivers. Torrential rains over steep coastal mountains and the landslides and flooding they could generate became an ongoing concern for officials after Erick dissipated following a landfall early Thursday on a sparsely populated stretch of coast. (AP Video by Amaranta Marentes)