On the Caribbean coast of Mexico, the situation with sargassum algae is rapidly deteriorating: today it is present on more than half of the beaches in the state of Quintana Roo. Of the 134 beaches surveyed, at least 68 already show varying degrees of algae pollution, ranging from low to excessive, according to the latest monitoring data.
The most difficult situation is developing in the southern part of the coast. Here, out of 40 beaches, 20 are located in a state of excessive pollution, another 10 — with high levels of algae accumulation, and only two areas remain completely clear. In the northern zone (Cancun and the surrounding area) the situation is less dramatic, however, even there, out of 100 observed areas, only four are not affected by algae, while in 6 their excessive accumulation is recorded, in 35 — high, and at 48 — moderate or low presence.
Key travel destinations in the Riviera Maya are bearing the brunt of the impact — Playa del Carmen and Tulum. In Playa del Carmen, emissions were so high that municipal services were virtually overwhelmed. Authorities were forced to urgently recruit additional staff, use reserve budgets and purchase heavy equipment for daily beach cleaning, although its use was previously prohibited. The situation is even worse in Tulum, which has the highest rate of algae in the region. Many beaches are simply covered with a thick layer of algae. Official data shows that 652 tons of sargassum seaweed have already been harvested in Tulum year-to-date to mid-March 2026, although 2025 was considered a record year with just over 5,000 tons for the entire year.
🌴🌊 te comparto el semáforo y mapa del sargazo de#QuintanaRoo.de ayer 17 de marzo 2026pic.twitter.com/IqaC2FIC16
— #PlayaDelCarmen 🌊 (@TwittPlaya)March 18, 2026
In addition to these cities, high concentrations of algae are recorded in Puerto Morelos, Mahahual and Xcalaque. In these areas, dense masses of sargassum regularly wash ashore, sometimes reaching a thickness of one to two meters. The water loses its characteristic turquoise color, and decomposing algae release hydrogen sulfide, creating a pungent odor and worsening recreational conditions.
In Cancun, the situation remains mixed: the eastern beaches facing the open sea are regularly subject to an influx of algae, while the northern part of the hotel zone remains in relatively good condition due to geography and currents. Destinations such as Isla Mujeres, Holbox and Costa Mujeres remain areas with minimal impact for now, although professionals warn that the situation can change literally within a few hours.
The reasons for this are related to the abnormally early and intense algae season. In 2026, sargassum algae began to be recorded in the second week of January, although traditionally their mass appearance occurs in March-April. The Atlantic Ocean recorded record amounts of algae: 9.5 million tons in January and 13.6 million tons in February, significantly higher than previous years. In total, there are now more than 60 million tons of sargassum in the ocean, and even if only 5-10% of this reaches the Mexican coast, this is enough to cause serious environmental and travel impacts. In February, algae covered 0.4% of the ocean surface — This is the maximum value in the entire history of observations.
The economic consequences are already being felt. Hotels in the hardest-hit areas are incurring significant costs: the daily cost of cleaning beaches in some cases is comparable to monthly energy bills. In Playa del Carmen, a decrease in the state's guest flow is recorded, and businesses face a high degree of uncertainty due to the unpredictability of the condition of the beaches.
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In response to the crisis, authorities launched a massive operation to contain the algae. More than 16 vessels operate along the coast to collect algae, and sea barriers with a total length of over 7 kilometers have been installed.
Forecasts for the current year remain unfavorable. Experts expect the 2026 season to be stronger than 2025 and could approach or even exceed 2022's record levels. The peak will traditionally fall between May and August, however, it is already obvious that the season started earlier and is developing faster than usual. Among the key factors for the abnormally rapid development of algae are rising ocean temperatures, changing currents and rising nutrient levels in seawater.
Looking at the scale of the problem, professionals note that the situation remains dynamic: the condition of beaches can vary significantly even within the same area and change during the day. This makes regular monitoring a key tool for both tourists and travel industry participants.