Introduction
Punta Cana, a popular tourist destination in the Dominican Republic, is facing a significant challenge in 2023. A massive seaweed blob, twice the width of the US, is making its way through the Atlantic Ocean towards Punta Cana. With an expected weight of three million tons, equivalent to over 400,000 elephants, this influx of seaweed is a cause for concern. In this article, we will explore the sargassum problem in Punta Cana, its origins, the impact on tourism, and how to plan your vacation accordingly.
The Arrival of Sargassum
The floating blob of seaweed making its way to Punta Cana is called sargassum. Sargassum is a type of brown algae that floats in Island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. While the Caribbean would usually experience a few small mats of sargassum washing ashore in a given year, the situation changed in 2011 when unexpectedly large waves of sargassum started arriving. Similar pileups occurred in 2015 and 2018, with these blooms being particularly bad.
Sargassum has always been present in the Atlantic Ocean, primarily in the Sargasso Sea. However, ocean currents usually kept it contained within the sea. The 2011 bloom had an unusual origin, starting off the coast of Brazil and near the mouth of the Amazon River. By July, it had spread across the entire Atlantic, forming what is now known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.
Impact on Punta Cana
The ocean currents move the sargassum belt over the Caribbean, reaching Punta Cana, the Eastern United States, and Mexico. This influx smothers beaches along the way, causing significant disruptions to tourism. In Punta Cana, the worst sargassum influx is expected during July and August, with the season ending in September. Many hotels in Punta Cana have dedicated staff who clean up the seaweed on a daily basis, using hand tools and even tractors to keep the beaches clear. However, the effectiveness of the cleanup efforts varies among different hotels.
To mitigate the impact of sargassum, many resorts have installed seaweed barriers designed to prevent the seaweed from reaching the shore. Outside of the sargassum season, Punta Cana is virtually free of the seaweed problem.
Planning Your Vacation
It is important to understand that the sargassum problem is a naturally occurring phenomenon, and sargassum levels can vary from beach to beach, season to season, and even day to day. To plan your vacation better and stay informed about the current sargassum conditions, several resources can be helpful:
Sargassumonitoring.com: This website shows the beaches that are currently affected by sargassum. It also provides an experimental weekly sargassum inundation risk tool created by NOAA and the University of South Florida. The color-coded satellite maps offer accurate weekly sargassum tracking.
Centro de Monitorio de Sargasso and Bavaro Punta Cana Facebook Group: This Facebook group allows people to upload daily pictures of the beaches in Punta Cana, providing real-time information about sargassum conditions.
By utilizing these tools and staying informed, you can plan your vacation to Punta Cana with the necessary precautions.
Conclusion
The sargassum problem in Punta Cana is a challenging situation that impacts tourism and the local economy. As the massive seaweed blob approaches the shores of Punta Cana, it is essential for tourists to be aware of the sargassum conditions and plan their vacations accordingly. By utilizing the suggested resources and staying informed, tourists can make informed decisions to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable vacation experience in Punta Cana.
