TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Seaweed update

Hello,
Haven’t heard much about seaweed for a few days. Has it been any better? We are going to Orient Beach 5/31-6/7 for the first time, so trying to get an idea of what to expect.

It's apparently getting better on Simpson Bay beach, according to the D's beachbar thread. Hopefully that means that Orient is getting better also.

Thanks.

Three days ago:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1402153161005673

Ya I know a few days ago it was terrible. Hoping it’s getting better?

I just read the post here that the Pinel ferries are out of service because of increaded seaweed so I would think it;s not getting better

The sargassum forecast the next couple weeks doesn't look great, but you'll be ok.

My suggestion would be to play it by ear daily, and be flexible and ready to head to different beaches as needed to avoid the sargassum. If Orient Beach looks good on a given day, great... enjoy it. If it doesn't, then head over to Grand Case, or to Friar's, or Mullet, etc. because beaches on the opposite side of the problem areas will likely be fine.

Yellow Beach was closed anyway for their annual vacation.

Update: I'm 1300 nautical miles to the north and east of SXM and we are still seeing isolated sargassum patches offshore! The nearest land is over 1000 miles away.

Yesterday. Rent a car and go to beaches to north/west: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ASc1yZrhK/

Wow, not good.

We will be there next week, has the seaweed been cleaned up?

We are curious as well We arrive Sunday

Simpson Bay it was very limited to the Beacon Hill side but they are cleaning it up. Center of Simpson Bay by Mary Boon and. The K has been spotless for see grass so far.

The sargassum forecast continues to be poor for the next while, particularly east-facing beaches. Just be prepared and willing to head to beaches on the opposite side of the island from the problem areas if needed. This is translated text from the latest forecast for SXM:

"Forecasts for the next 4 days

The invasion continues from the east.

A veil of altitude clouds slightly masks the last images analyzed. Those (images from May) 30 show more clearly the situation.

The northern rim is loaded with algae. The sea, east of the islands, remains equally loaded.

Arrivals concern all coastlines exposed to eastward flux and bypassing effects. They are more or less repetitive, or even locally continuous.

No lull in sight at the moment.

Trend for the next 2 weeks

The ongoing strandings will continue.

The Atlantic remains loaded with sargassum, which continues to proliferate."

Link to France weather site's sargassum forecast:
https://meteofrance.gp/fr/sargasses/iles-du-nord

We go to LaPlaya beach and restaurant, every day the staff and the contractor comes by with the tractor and rakes the seaweed-"sargassum"!! So this will not be an issue for you and your family!! They do a great job!! Best sushi on the island, ask for Alexandra in the restaurant and Axel and Martin on the beach!!