Seaweed in Punta Cana
“Is there still seaweed in Punta Cana?” This question haunts many of you. We understand, because who would want to spend their holiday on a beach covered in algae.
That is why we dedicated this post to inform you about this natural phenomenon.
Just to answer your burning question as we begin this post. Yes, there are traces of seaweed in Punta Cana. Wait, before you cancel your trip. We say traces because most of it is gone.
No more heaps and heaps on the beach, just some seaweed in Punta Cana here and there along the coastline. Don’t believe us? This picture was taken on the 18th of November 2018 in Bavaro, Punta Cana. You can still see some seaweed but look at the sea and see that it is blue. You can see your toes when you are in it.
Origin of seaweed in Punta Cana
We know that you saw the pictures of seaweed piling up along the coastline of certain parts in Punta Cana. As we have shown you above, this is not the case anymore. Only the question that still remains is: where does it come from?
Local experts think this particular bout of Sargassum seaweed originated off the coast of South America. When ocean conditions are ripe, pelagic (i.e., living in the open ocean) sargassum can form “islands” a few acres across (3-5 ft. deep). Sargassum can survive a wide range of temperature and salinity; therefore, you’ll find it floating in every ocean except the Antarctic.
Possible causes:
- Global warming: it’s a tropical plant; therefore, warmer oceans = more ocean to “bloom”. Nonetheless, temperature alone is not enough to make it thrive.
- Pollution: nutrient-rich waters act as fertilizer for the seaweed (it was thought that they were reproducing locally as a result of more nutrients).
- Disturbance in liquid boundaries: winds, storms, and spiraling currents help disperse Sargassum throughout the world’s oceans.
So, now you got your answer about seaweed in Punta Cana and that it is safe to book an amazing excursion with us! Check our boat trips in Punta Cana options on our homepage!