10 Caribbean beaches where you’re less likely to encounter stinky sargassum
Sargassum "season" typically runs from March to October.
FILE: Florida sargassum leaving a smelly odor at Miami Beach
🌿🏖️ SMELLY BEACH: FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell reports from Miami Beach, where tons of sargassum are washed up on shore, providing an opportunity to use the seaweed for compost or fertilizer in the future.
Sargassum seaweed is known to plague beaches in Florida and in the Caribbean during peak summer season, often ruining a beach day.
Sargassum was found to originate from West Africa, according to a study published earlier this year.
SARGASSUM SEAWEED BLOOMS PLAGUING ATLANTIC BEACHES TRACED BACK TO WEST AFRICA
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Image 1 of 7Dead Sargassum (dark) and live Sargassum (clear) washed up on the shore outside Capesterre de Marie Galante. (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 7Swaths of sargassum, or seaweed, washed up in Key Biscayne on Thursday, April 24 and was raked into piles to be taken to the landfill. (Ashley Miznazi/The Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Image 3 of 7People sit on the sand in south beach, Miami during the seasonal surge of Sargassum seaweed. (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
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Image 4 of 7A wall of sargassum deters would-be bathers from entering the Atlantic Ocean. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
![Sargassum algae piles up along the shore at a beach in Ceiba, Puerto Rico on May 19, 2025]()
Image 5 of 7Sargassum algae piles up along the shore at a beach in Ceiba, Puerto Rico on May 19, 2025 (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP)
![Sargassum algae piles up along the shore at a beach in Puerto Rico on May 19, 2025]()
Image 6 of 7This aerial picture taken on May 19, 2025 shows sargassum algae drifting to a bay in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [May 19, 2025] instead of [November 19, 2025]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP)
![A pile of sargassum, or seaweed, on Key Biscayne's coastline on Thursday, April 24. (Ashley Miznazi/The Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 7A pile of sargassum, or seaweed, on Key Biscayne's coastline on Thursday, April 24. (Ashley Miznazi/The Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) ( )
Sargassum "season" typically runs from March to October.
Here's a list of 10 beaches you can check out that may not see as much sargassum.
Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica
Seven Mile Beach is the most popular and famous beach in Jamaica, but its westward location makes it less likely to be impacted during sargassum season.
This stretch of white sand and beautiful water is known for its bars and restaurants.
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Negril, Jamaica. - The Seven Mile beach with its turquoise water and pearl white sand is famous for its trendy resorts and restaurants. This image however shows that there are still sections of the beach which are less built up. They are busy with locals and tourists and have numerous food and souvenir stalls set next to each other.
(Andre Schmitt / Getty Images)
Dominicus Beach and Bayahíbe, Dominican Republic
This beach faces the south side of the Dominican Republic, facing the Caribbean, so if other popular beaches are packed with sargassum, this beach might be able to offer a reprieve.
Visitors love this beach for its calm atmosphere and warm waters. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants within walking distance.
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Panorama of sunset at Bayahibe beach, La Romana, Dominican republic
(lena_serditova / Getty Images)
Frederiksted and St. Croix's west coast, U.S. Virgin Islands
Located on the leeward side, Frederiksted is a little less likely to see sargassum clogging up its beaches.
Another bonus to this beach is that U.S. citizens don't need a passport to visit, so if you're looking for a lovely Caribbean vacation without a passport, this is your place.
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Beautiful scenery with harbor of St Croix, green mountain, water and town along the coastline.
(NANCY PAUWELS / Getty Images)
West coast beaches of Cozumel, Mexico
The beaches on the west coast of Cozumel are much less likely to be slammed with heavy sargassum compared to its east coast beaches.
There are plenty of hotels and restaurants along the west coast, which faces mainland Mexico.
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Colorful waters, rocky shore and the traditional restaurant on Cozumel island beach (Mexico).
(virsuziglis / Getty Images)
Eagle Beach, Aruba
In addition to being one of the best places to visit because of its lack of tropical activity, Aruba's Eagle Beach is world-famous and great for a sargassum-less beach day.
Eagle Beach's position on the leeward western side of Aruba can help it avoid the heavy sargassum accumulations experienced by some of the more exposed Caribbean coastlines.
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Aerial view of Eagle Beach, Aruba
(cdwheatley / Getty Images)
Mambo Beach, Curaçao
Mambo Beach in Curaçao is located outside the main sargassum belt in the Caribbean, making it a safe bet for no sargassum.
If you want a beach day filled with convenience and calm, clear waters, Mambo Beach is for you.
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Curacao, January 21, 2026: Mambo Beach in Curaçao offers a perfect scene of a Caribbean resort, with numerous lounge chairs and palapas on white sand, under palm trees, facing clear turquoise water.
(tifonimages / Getty Images)
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Another Seven Mile Beach, this time on Grand Cayman, is a perfect beach getaway where sargassum isn't as big of a problem.
This beach's relaxing atmosphere combined with easy access to restaurants and hotel resorts makes it a great place to visit.
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Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - January 1, 2025: A gazebo hanging over the water of seven mile beach in Grand Cayman
(todamo / Getty Images)
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos is world-famous for being one of the best beaches in the world for its vibes and atmosphere, hence why sargassum isn't usually an issue.
Winds typically push floating sargassum away from Grace Bay, even during high sargassum periods.
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A sunny day at Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Cacos. A walkway on a white sandy is bordered by palm trees and plants. The calm ocean stretches out towards the horizon under a deep blue sky.
(waterotter / Getty Images)
Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Just a short ferry ride from Cancun, Playa Norte is known for its crystal clear turquoise waters and lush green palm trees.
This beach is well-maintained, so even when sargassum is a problem, it's cleared away so it doesn't take away from the beautiful atmosphere.
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Isla Mujeres, Mexico - April 21, 2014: tourists enjoy tropical sea on famous Playa del Norte beach in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The island is located 8 miles northeast of Cancún in the Caribbean Sea.
(eddygaleotti / Getty Images)
Playa Mujeres, Mexico
This private, gated beach resort is not known to have high amounts of sargassum on its shores compared to other places.
It offers a perfect beach stay just a short distance from the Cancun airport and takes away any stress of ferry or boat travel.
Aerial view of Isla Mujeres, a Caribbean island in Cancun, Mexico
(kevin chen / Getty Images)
To stay up-to-date with the latest sargassum monitoring, NOAA issues daily sargassum inundation risk charts for areas known to be impacted by the seaweed.