Sargassum at Burwood Beach, Falmouth: today's situation
First bulletin for this beach lands with tomorrow morning’s update.
Burwood Beach stretches west of Falmouth along the Trelawny shoreline, with shallow water reaching a long way out and a steady breeze that built its reputation among kitesurfers.
Every day you will find the sargassum level for Burwood Beach here: a rating from 0 to 5, a map of the coast between Falmouth and Montego Bay, and a morning update. Are the sand and the shallows clear? The answer comes through before you load up the gear.
Burwood Beach on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
The beach faces north-west on the north coast of Jamaica, a Caribbean shore, so it sits away from the rafts the trade winds push onto the eastern and south-eastern sides of the island first. Even so, its exposure is more direct than that of the beaches sheltered at the head of Montego Bay, further west.
Two local traits then take over. The constant onshore breeze that draws kitesurfers also drives anything floating nearby towards the shore, so weed passing offshore has a better chance of reaching the sand here than at more enclosed spots along this coast. And the shallow grassy bottom in front of the beach holds stranded fronds easily: they settle at the waterline rather than washing back out on the next set.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Burwood more exposed than the Montego Bay beaches?
It opens straight onto the coast, north-west facing, without the shelter of a deep bay. The steady onshore breeze also pushes floating material towards the shoreline more readily than in an enclosed basin.
How do I check before coming out to sail?
The FanGass map at the top of this page rates Burwood Beach from 0 to 5 and refreshes every morning. A quick look before loading the gear saves a wasted run from Falmouth or Montego Bay.
Does sargassum interfere with kitesurfing here?
When weed builds up in the shallows it catches on lines and makes launching and landing from the shore awkward. The daily level gives you an idea before you pump the kite.
Which months need the closest watch?
Caribbean arrivals usually peak between late spring and the end of summer. Along this Trelawny shore they come in episodes, often tied to a few days of sustained wind blowing onto the coast.