The beautiful Caribbean coast of Mexico is on the edge of the Sargasso Sea area of the Atlantic Ocean. This means that sargassum seaweed can find its way to any beach along the coast anytime of year. However, it is most prevalent during the spring and summer season when the water is very warm. While the seaweed supports an entire ecological system of tiny marine organisms, it is not attractive on beaches. You do not want to smell the odor, or walk over it, or fight your way through the seaweed to swim.
Major hotels and resorts in Cancun and other communities along Mexico’s Riviera Maya monitor the beaches and the seaweed. They sweep the beaches and even rake the sand daily to eliminate the seaweed. This is a continuous process to keep the beaches clean.
There are several beaches near Cancun that remain free of the seaweed and offer easy access to the beautiful, blue Caribbean.
Isla Mujeres
This is the most popular offshore islands across the bay from Cancun. It was named for Ixlache, the Mayan goddess of the moon, centuries before it was colonized by Spanish explorers. The name refers to the island as the land of women, since Ixlache was also known as a fertility goddess. The island was a sanctuary for Mayan women.
Isla Mujeres also has hotels, condos, a marina and a Navy base. However, it is still best known for its fine beaches and turquoise waters. The island can be reached by the Ultra Mar ferry from Puerto Juarez near Cancun. Day trips to Isla Mujeres are also offered from Cancun hotels and resorts on a motorized catamaran.
Tortugas Beach
This is one of Cancun’s most famous beaches, located just north of the hotel zone. Tortugus Beach is on a small cove with warm, shallow water. The beach is popular with families all year. Restaurants are also located along the beach.
If Tortugus Beach is too crowded, Langosta Beach is nearby. These two beaches offer sparkling sand that is usually free of the seaweed.
Caracol Beach
This is the beach within the city. It is known for its fine white sand on the edge of the sparkling blue water with gentle waves. It offers a relaxing atmosphere along with opportunities for swimming and snorkeling the nearby coral reefs. Diving excursions are available in this area.
People looking for more adventure will also find it at Caracol Beach. Paddleboards, jet skis, kayaks, and even parasailing, are available nearby. There are several beachfront restaurants on Caracol, as well.
Isla Contoy
This is a small, protected island off the coast of Cancun and larger Isla Mujeres. The island is home to over 150 species of birds and four types of sea turtles. The only residents of this island are scientists working to preserve this pristine environment.
Special day tours from Cancun will take you to Isla Contoy to enjoy the sandy beach and snorkel the Ixlache Reef. The tiny island is part of the second-largest barrier reef on the planet. It is also a national park with special rules to protect the delicate reef and ecosystem.
Managing Seaweed
Cancun and the Riviera Maya communities offer a wonderful, relaxed lifestyle along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. They want their beaches to remain free of the ugly sargassum seaweed. Nearby, historic Tulum has launched a program to keep the floating beds of seaweed out at sea. They have several anti-sargassum vessels and special dragnets to prevent the seaweed from reaching the shore anywhere along the coast.
Cancun is a popular resort anytime of year. May through October is the rainy season, with the winter months drier. Take the opportunity to visit Cancun and experience the beautiful white, sandy beaches and the warm Caribbean Sea.