Every winter and spring, the Dominican Republic prepares for the arrival of sargassum. Sargassum is a floating mat of brown seaweed that drifts westward from the Atlantic Sargassum belt. Sargassum, which once occurred primarily offshore, has become a persistent and increasingly destructive presence along the Caribbean coastline.
The 2025 season reached a historic peak. Satellite monitoring recorded approximately 38 million tonnes of sargassum arriving across the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf regions in May, the highest level ever recorded and nearly double the previous record set in 2022. In the Dominican Republic, coastal destinations such as Punta Cana and Bavaro faced a large influx of sargassum, prompting expanded cleanup efforts.
As 2026 begins, watchdogs are already reporting elevated early-season indicators, raising concerns that the sargassum influx is becoming a long-term reality rather than a temporary anomaly.
Related: Mexican Sargassum Daily Updates 2024: Cancun, Tulum, PDC and more
Join FB Group: Dominican Sargassum Report
Is Sargassum seaweed harmful to humans?
Sargassum is harmless in most cases, but it can cause irritation and rashes for people with sensitive skin.
What causes Sargassum seaweed in the Dominican Republic?
The exact cause of the annual seaweed invasions in the Dominican Republic and other parts of the Caribbean has not yet been scientifically proven. Various studies suggest that sargassum growth is related to global warming, chemicals used in agriculture, and anthropogenic pollution of the oceans.
Dominican Republic Sargassum Forecast (January 2026)
The latest satellite images from the University of Florida’s Optical Oceanography Laboratory show sargassum building up in the Atlantic Ocean and the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.
Based on satellite imagery, we can predict that there will be little to no Sargassum seaweed present in the Punta Cana area over the next two to four weeks.
Sargassum Season 2026: Latest Report
January 2026: Latest photos from the beaches of the Dominican Republic
As of January 21, beaches at major tourist spots around Punta Cana remain clean, although several cases of surprise visitors have been reported in recent weeks.
Sargassum Season 2025: Archive Report
October 2025: Latest photos and satellite images from Punta Cana and other areas
Latest photos from Sargassum Seaweed Report FB group:
The latest satellite imagery suggests that sargassum is slowing down and coming to a halt towards the end of fall and winter.
July 2025: Latest Image Report from FB Report Group: Dominican Republic Sargassum Seaweed Report (Punta Cana, Cabarete, etc.)
Satellite imagery from the University of Florida shows large amounts of sargassum seaweed still floating toward the Caribbean Sea, likely leading to a longer season this year.
