The breathtaking beaches of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, have been awarded the esteemed Blue Flag certification for the third year in a row.
This is more than a random award—it is an international recognition granted to beaches, marinas and a series of tourism operators that achieve high environmental, safety and quality standards, including exceptional water quality.
Receiving this recognition places the destination in a privileged position compared to its regional competitors.
Municipal President, Atenea Gómez, attributes this success to the tireless work done by both the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT) team and the local fishermen participating in the Temporary Employment Program who have kept beaches sargassum-free throughout the year.
“Nowadays, our beaches look beautiful thanks to the effort and commitment of our ZOFEMAT warriors… I want to thank them and the fishermen involved in the Temporary Employment Program, who have kept beaches clean over the past three years,” the official told reporters.
Meanwhile, eight Playa del Carmen beaches also received the prestigious Blue Flag certification.
The dedication to excellence has allowed Playa Norte and Playa Centro to remain among the best worldwide, attracting thousands of travelers to the destination every year.
According to Gómez, removing sargassum daily goes beyond attracting tourists and generating income.
“It’s also an environmental commitment to preserving the marine ecosystem that’s currently being threatened by the over-reproduction of sargassum,” she emphasized.
Speaking of which, this week the private and public sectors signed a partnership agreement to combat sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean region.
To achieve this objective, the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS), the Association of Hotels of Riviera Maya (AHRM) and the Seas We Love (TSWL) will collaborate to transform seaweed into business opportunities by the first months of 2025.
At the end of her interview, the Municipal President stressed the economic importance of maintaining beaches pristine.
“Our beaches are a magnet that attracts thousands of tourists every day generating shared prosperity for most island families,” she said—a kindly reminder that these communities are largely dependent on tourism.
Weather impact on seaweed arrivals in Isla Mujeres
It’s worth mentioning Isla Mujeres is well positioned and doesn’t receive too much seaweed compared to other areas of the Mexican Caribbean but in case of major weather changes the opposite can be true.
In 2024, after Hurricane Beryl made its way through Riviera Maya 69 tons of sargassum were washed off on this paradise island within one morning. It took 2 days and personnel of 50 people to clean it up.