You may have heard of the sargassum blob that is heading towards the Caribbean and Florida. This happens yearly and now there is a ‘sargassum season’ which runs from May to October. Sargassum is a large brown seaweed that never attaches to the seafloor and can have a pungent smell. Sargassum can happen anytime and changes daily. Resorts do a good job of staying on top of the clean up however some do it better than others.
Please also note that not all beaches have sargassum at the same time-if being on a sargassum free beach is important to you, there are beach clubs throughout the destination that you can visit for a small cost or a relatively small consumption fee-the trick is knowing which are sargassum free the day you need them. All of these activities can be booked through me and even if you aren’t traveling during the sargassum season, I highly encourage you to get off the resort and try these activities.
1. VISIT A CENOTE OR CENOTE PARK
There are thousands of cenotes in this destination and they are all different! Some notable ones are: Cenotes Zapote-Ecopark, Ecopark Kantun Chi, Cenote Minotauro, Cenote Cristalino, Jardin del Eden, Cenote Yax Kin, Gran Cenote, Aktunchen park & Cenote Azul. Pictured below is Cenote Ik-Kil.
2. SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS
Whale sharks are in Mexico in the summer months, when the sargassum is usually at it’s worst. You can get up close and personal with the ocean, & the biggest fish in the sea! If you get sea sick easily this is not the excursion for you.
*photo courtesy of my friend Lori Gold; I have not done this excursion yet however it is on my list!
3. PLAYA NORTE ON ISLA MUJERES
This beach is typically your picture perfect Caribbean beach and does not tend to get hit by sargassum like other areas. You can take the ferry over & go to a beach club or do a tour of the island. You can rent golf carts and explore too!
*Photo courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
4. ISLA CONTOY OR ISLA HOLBOX
Both of these islands are generally unaffected by sargassum. Isla County is a protected island that can only be reached by boat tour which also stops at Isla Mujeres. Isla Hotbox can be reached a few different ways, independently or by tour and has gorgeous beaches.
*Photos courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
5. MUYIL RIVER FLOAT
This is typically done in conjunction with the Muyil ruins tour, a short boat ride takes you to crystal clear turquoise waters that are channels used to get between lagoons. There is a current that gently floats you along while enjoying the water, scenery & silence.
*photo courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
6. FISHING
Fly fishing, shore fishing, spearfishing & deep sea fishing – there are so many options and departure points!
*Photos courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
7. YACHT / CATAMARAN
There are so many options for yachts or catamarans to get you out onto the water and once out there you can actually go in the water! Boats leave from Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras and more!
*Photos courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
8. SNORKEL TOUR
There is great snorkeling in Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Puerto Morelos and in Akumal (with sea turtles, also in Yalku lagoon)!
*Photos courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
9. WATER PARKS
If you’re not staying at a resort with a big waterpark, you can visit Ventura Park, Nickelodeon or Jungala!
*from left to right: Ventura Park, Nickelodeon, Jungala
10. CANCUN / TULUM LAGOONS
Nichupte Lagoon in Cancun has tons of activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, speedboat tours (that end with snorkeling) and so much more! Tulum has a few lagoons with crystal clear turquoise water where you can swim, kayak or paddleboard.
*photo courtesy of Cassidy Robinson Travel
Planning a trip to Mexico? Contact me to book your trip along with all of these extra fun activities to do!
