Sargassum is a free-floating seaweed that provides food, shelter and breeding sites for marine life under “normal” environmental conditions that no longer exist.
In recent years, huge amounts of sargassum have washed up along the Caribbean coast, causing nightmares for beachgoers and threatening shallow-water marine life.
The phenomenon has been linked to an excess of nutrients in the ocean and rising global temperatures.
While the sargassum itself is harmless to humans, it can certainly impact tourists’ beach experience.
Join the FB group: Dominican Republic Seaweed Report
When is Sargassum season in the Dominican Republic?
The report said sargassum peaks in the Dominican Republic between May and August, but this can vary from year to year depending on meteorological factors affecting the Atlantic Ocean.
This seaweed is less common between November and May due to the colder temperatures making it unsuitable for reproduction, so take that into consideration when planning your vacation.
So far into the 2024 season, the Sargassum situation in the country is under control. Some beaches are experiencing increased algae levels, while others have very little Sargassum.
RELATED: Mexico Sargassum Daily Update 2024: Cancun, Tulum, PDC and More
Outlook for Sargassum in the Dominican Republic June 2024
Unlike other parts of the Caribbean and Mexico, the Sargassum situation in the Dominican Republic hasn’t been too bad during the first two weeks of June. Morning cleanups in Punta Cana have been very effective, with beaches remaining in very good condition throughout the day.
Latest Sargassum Map of the Dominican Republic
Published by the Optical Oceanography Laboratory, College of Marine Science, University of Florida.
Recent seaweed update from the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)
Hoteliers and local governments are tackling the problem by cleaning beaches every morning and installing seawalls that capture algae before it washes up on shore, in order to give tourists an unforgettable beach experience.
Take a look at this timeline to get a complete picture of the current situation on the most popular beaches and how they are changing: This report is based on data from the Algues sargasses Punta Cana and Sargassum Seaweed Updates Dominican Republic FB groups.
June 1st to June 18th: Latest news and photos
Popular Dominican Republic beach battles trash problem with sargassum invasion – Boca Chica, a popular spot for locals and tourists, continues to have problems with seaweed and trash. Local authorities say they are focusing on cleaning up and warning locals as this could have a huge impact on the local economy. Unfortunately, the opposite is true: the small beach town still has a lot of trash in the suburbs, schools, town center, and on the beach.
Latest photos from Punta Cana and other parts of the Dominican Republic
As you can see from the photos, conditions are quite unsettled but the beaches are generally in great condition, even at this time of year when sargassum blooms are at their peak.
May 10th – May 30th
We are seeing a surge in Sargassum in most of the popular hotspots in the Dominican Republic, but the morning cleanup is very efficient. It is a great time to be in the Dominican Republic right now, and we are expecting a surge in the arrival of Sargassum in the coming weeks.
Beautiful morning photos from Dreams Onyx Resort in Punta Cana
May 1st to 9th: Punta Cana sees a surge in Sargassum
A photo uploaded by Rick Lam on May 9 shocked the “Sargassum in Punta Cana” FB community, which saw the largest influx of seaweed in the Dominican Republic so far this year for the 2024 seaweed season. Rick’s next video post showed that after a four-hour cleanup with a tractor, the beach was completely clear of sargassum.
A video of a tractor cleaning up sargassum in the morning goes viral:
May 1st: Latest satellite map and forecast of Sargassum distribution
Note: As scientists suggest, sargassum flows are highly unpredictable, so this satellite image should only be taken as an estimate.
This map was published on May 1st and suggests that there will be a large influx of Sargassum in the coming weeks/months. The arrows on the map show the flow of the Sargassum and its distance from the Caribbean Islands.
April 22-30
The Caribbean experiences an annual surge in Sargassum seaweed, but cooler water temperatures have limited its impact in 2024. The Dominican Republic has seen an increase in Sargassum over the past two weeks, but it is not as bad as Mexico. The situation is under control, and regular morning cleanups have kept the famous Punta Cana beaches mostly clean.
April 30, 2024: Riu Palace – Punta Cana – Seaweed level LOW
April 21:
– After a morning cleanup, a large amount of Sargassum was found at the Riu Palace.
– No sargassum was found at Bavaro Beach outside the Bavaro Princess Resort, one of National Geographic’s 10 Greatest Beaches in the World.
Is Sargassum Harmful to Humans?
In most cases, sargassum is harmless, but it can cause irritation or rashes in people with sensitive skin.
What is causing the Sargassum blooms in the Dominican Republic?
Scientists still don’t know what causes the annual algae blooms in the Dominican Republic and other parts of the Caribbean, but various studies suggest the proliferation of Sargassum may be linked to global warming, chemicals used in agriculture and human pollution of the oceans.
