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Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? #205515
09/26/2019 11:47 PM
09/26/2019 11:47 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 21
Kansas City, USA
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RCJH Offline OP
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RCJH  Offline OP
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Kansas City, USA
I've googled and read differing and conflicting reports on the beach situation in Tulum. Clearly there are worse periods than others, and some of the videos make the beaches appear almost unusable and unswimmable. We're still considering a trip down in mid-to-late November.

Looking for any first-hand accounts from those that have 'been there, done that.' We've been to Tulum and other islands in the Caribbean during the rise of the sargassum seaweed crisis. We've experienced it when it's pretty bad (piles on the beach and in the water) and when it's been spotty and more of a day-to-day thing. We've seen how there are sections that are worse than others.

Basically, wanting to know if that is still the case or if it has indeed gotten worse as some videos and reports seem to indicate.

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Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #205517
09/27/2019 08:45 AM
09/27/2019 08:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
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crmoores  Offline
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Finger Lake Region
This sargassum event - which began in 2011 and has hugely impacted the Atlantic from Africa and into the entire Caribbean - is indeed unprecedented, at least in our experience and from expert reports on the topic. What was once a smaller inconvenience for a few weeks in the summer has become the monster it is today. And not just along the RM, but everywhere.

The sargassum has not been an issue in many areas the last few months, we’ve seen the beautiful, clear water colors and clean beaches. But if you research this you will find the actual situation throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean has not improved and is worsening. We’re starting to learn of the most probable causes, and about the heavy metals being found in samples tested which raises safety concerns about where the piles are being buried or moved to.

So to respond to your question of whether the sargassum is spotty or is getting worse, yes and yes. Just depends on where you are and when, and there is no way of knowing how a particular area will be in mid-November. I would however consider trip insurance simply because you are there at the tail end of a very busy hurricane season...


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #205555
09/28/2019 04:23 PM
09/28/2019 04:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 965
Middleton, Florida
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Middleton, Florida
If you love the area, look for a resort or a rental that has a reef near it to help protect the beach.-- I was just in Akumal, and saw that there's floats across Akumal Bay to keep the seaweed back. I asked the waiter at Lol Ha about it, and he said it was new.-- He didn't know but thought that was placed there by the resort next to the restaurant.

Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #205579
09/28/2019 11:14 PM
09/28/2019 11:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 21
Kansas City, USA
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RCJH Offline OP
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RCJH  Offline OP
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Thanks! Appreciate the first-hand reports. Of course, no way of knowing for sure what things will be like in late November, but I always think the more info, the better.

Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #205613
09/29/2019 12:26 PM
09/29/2019 12:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
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crmoores  Offline
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Yes it’s nice to get a good feel for the current situation. We’re also heading down mid-Nov and will be curious to see if “our” beaches are still pristine. Our neighbors have been enjoying clean water and beaches and we are jealous!


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #205724
09/30/2019 05:51 PM
09/30/2019 05:51 PM
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MGA Offline
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larrysvacationwebcams.com shows how the beaches are in areas of Mexico and other places. The beaches look better than they did earlier this year but...you never know.

Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: crmoores] #206228
10/09/2019 06:27 AM
10/09/2019 06:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
bugambilias Offline
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Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #207004
10/21/2019 10:44 AM
10/21/2019 10:44 AM
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Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
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crmoores  Offline
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Finger Lake Region
Photos from neighbors and visitors in the Playa area are looking very nice right now, we’ll be down at the same time...


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #209583
11/21/2019 04:41 PM
11/21/2019 04:41 PM
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Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
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Just returned from a short visit and the beaches from Cancun to Puerto Aventuras were gorgeous and free of sargassum so enjoy!


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Re: Tulum beaches - how bad is the seaweed? [Re: RCJH] #214850
01/20/2020 11:06 AM
01/20/2020 11:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
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crmoores  Offline
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Finger Lake Region
Just a quick update - the beaches and water are as beautiful as ever and free of sargassum. Spring months may be different, but currently we're enjoying gorgeous beaches!


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain

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