Sargassum season in Florida runs from March through October, peaking in June. So, travelers may be wondering what beaches they can visit this summer without the annoying presence of this seaweed.
This algae used to be considered an important “marine forest” that provided food and shelter to hundreds of species in the Sargasso Sea.
But since 2011, it has started to wash up uncontrollably on Atlantic and Caribbean beaches, causing havoc in the tourism industry. Florida included.
According to the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab, over 7 million tons of sargassum have been discovered drifting toward Caribbean beaches this year.
Although huge masses of sargassum can hit any beach in Florida, it’s more common to spot it on the southeast coast.
“If large amounts of sargassum do come to Florida at that time, the most impacted areas will be the lower Florida Keys (ocean side) and along the southeast coast of Florida (Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, etc),” said Chuanmin Hu, professor of optical photography at the University of South Florida.
Latest Photo Updates From FB Reporting Group
The following photos are recent updates published in the ‘Sargassum Seaweed Florida: Daily Updates and Photo Reports‘ public Facebook group.
Best Sargassum-Free Beaches in Florida
While large areas of Florida may be negatively impacted by the massive arrival of sargassum during the peak season, beaches along the Gulf of Mexico don’t typically get too much algae, according to historic records.
If you are planning an escape to Florida to engage in watersports and enjoy the sunny days and the warm breeze, you should probably opt for booking your tickets to the southwest.
“Southwest Florida doesn’t often get covered by sargassum as the prevailing currents tend to keep the massive piles of seaweed away from our coast,” reported Fort Myers News.
So far, experts haven’t managed to predict what beaches will be covered by sargassum on the other side of the state.
How to Protect Yourself from Exposure to Sargassum
It’s quite possible that you don’t want or can’t travel to sargassum-free beaches in Florida or in the Caribbean. So, it’s important to learn how to protect yourself and others from exposure.
Sargassum bioaccumulates heavy metals such as arsenic and carries small creatures that cause rashes and other illnesses, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Here are some important health recommendations you should follow when strolling or swimming close to sargassum.
- Avoid swimming when there is too much sargassum in the water, as some organisms it harbors may irritate your skin.
- If you notice any “airway irritation, nausea, headaches, vertigo, confusion, burning of the eyes, or similar symptoms, stay away from sargassum until the seaweed is no longer off-gassing.”
- Stay away from beaches with too much sargassum if you have asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
- If your accommodation happens to be close to decomposing sargassum, make sure to close your doors and windows.