Do the Florida Keys get sargassum?
Do the Florida Keys get sargassum? Key West sargassum is probably the last thing you had in mind when planning your trip to the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, it's a natural occurrence year after year in South Florida.
Will the seaweed blob hit the Keys?
It's already hit the Florida Keys and is threatening beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.
Is it safe to swim in the ocean in Key West?
You can also swim and enjoy other water sports like windsurfing and snorkeling as well as kayaking and paddleboarding in the clear, clean water inhabited by tropical fish.
How bad is the Sargassum in Key West?
The seaweed itself is not harmful to humans, but decaying sargassum on beaches releases hydrogen sulfide that can impact people with breathing issues. That said, even decaying sargassum is not considered harmful because the gases disperse quickly on breezy beaches.
Is there sargassum in Islamorada?
About Sargassum Please note that during summer months there is an influx of sargassum on the beaches of Islamorada. Sargassum is a marine alga, commonly known as seaweed. It grows in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.
What beaches are not affected by sargassum?
While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free.
What month is sargassum worse?
Sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean typically runs from May through October, with July and August generally being the worst months for its arrival.
What Florida beaches will be affected by seaweed in 2023?
no matter how much Sargassum we'll land on the east coast beaches, the west coast of Florida is largely spared every year [and] this year is no exception, Dr. Hu says. Nevertheless, they still anticipate there will soon be an impact on beaches in South Florida where the brown seaweed washes ashore.
What parts of Florida have sargassum?
Substantial sargassum is expected in June in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, according to the May report from the University of South Florida. That's no surprise to beachgoers who have been seeing the smelly seaweed on Florida beaches from Pensacola to Brevard County.
What beaches in Florida have sargassum?
There are reports that the typically clear blue waters of Marathon, Florida have been inundated by the seaweed. Additionally, beaches on Florida's east coast, including Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the Miami Beach area, are also seeing mounds of sargassum wash ashore.
Do resorts clean up sargassum?
Popular resort hubs, including Playa del Carmen and Tulum, have ramped up efforts to deter sargassum from affecting travelers. What is this? Both destinations have set up temporary barriers and hired more cleaners in an effort to attract more travelers.
Where is there no sargassum in summer?
While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free. However, much depends on winds and ocean currents.
Is there a sargassum forecast for 2023?
Since 2011, 2023 still ranks in the top half of the worst sargassum seaweed seasons. With the latest data, USF researchers say in June, sargassum will likely decrease in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning beachgoers may not have such a smelly experience. The USF lab forecasts the decrease to continue through August.
Will sargassum hit Florida 2023?
USF reports it remains difficult to predict exact timing and location for individual beaching events but substantial amounts of the seaweed are expected in May in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. June is forecast to be the likely peak of the 2023 season, but impacts are expected to continue into July.