Seaweed Surge Returns to Tulum’s Beaches, Impacting Tourism

Tulum, Mexico – May 22, 2025 – A new wave of sargassum seaweed has blanketed several of Riviera Maya world-famous beaches this week, prompting concern among environmentalists, tourism officials, and local businesses.

The brown, foul-smelling seaweed has become a seasonal nuisance along the Caribbean coast in recent years, with particularly large buildups from April through August. This week, the Mexican Navy’s Coastal Monitoring Division confirmed that more than 18,000 tons of sargassum were drifting toward the Riviera Maya, with Tulum expected to be one of the hardest-hit areas.

Visitors arriving at the beach have been surprised by the sight—and smell. “We were dreaming of white sands and turquoise waters, but today the beach was completely covered,” said Angela Morris, a tourist from the UK. “It’s disappointing, but we’re trying to make the best of it.”

Local hotels and beach clubs are now scrambling to respond. Many have brought in additional cleanup crews working around the clock to clear the seaweed and restore the beach’s natural appeal. However, the effort is both labor-intensive and expensive.

“The cost of daily removal is rising every year,” said Jorge Ruiz, owner of a boutique hotel in Tulum’s Hotel Zone. “This week alone, we’ve spent over $3,000 just to keep our beachfront usable.”

The Municipal Government of Tulum has coordinated with the state and federal environmental agencies to deploy offshore barriers and additional cleanup equipment. They are also considering investing in long-term solutions, such as sargassum-to-energy conversion technologies and more robust offshore collection vessels.

Marine biologists warn that the overabundance of sargassum is linked to climate change, rising ocean temperatures, and agricultural runoff that boosts algae growth. “This is not just a local problem—it’s regional, and even global,” explained Dr. Silvia Menéndez, an oceanographer at UNAM.

Despite the challenges, tourism officials are urging visitors not to cancel their trips. “Tulum offers much more than just beaches—cenotes, archaeological sites, jungle tours, and eco-experiences remain open and untouched,” said Sofía Morales, spokesperson for the Tulum Tourism Board.

Still, if current trends continue, the seasonal seaweed invasion could reshape the future of coastal tourism throughout the Caribbean.