Sargassum on Holbox: today's state on the north shore
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Pristine, dive in
Holbox is a narrow island off the northern tip of the Yucatán peninsula, separated from the mainland by the Yalahau lagoon and turned toward the Gulf of Mexico. This page follows sargassum on the Holbox shoreline: what was recorded in the morning, a rating from 0 to 5, and the map for the Holbox zone.
Many travellers come here precisely because the island lies off the Caribbean front. This page confirms or qualifies that expectation day by day rather than in general terms. The reading is taken again each morning, and the score reports what was seen on the sand, not what is supposed to happen there.
Playa Holbox on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Orientation is the deciding factor on Holbox. The beach faces north onto Gulf of Mexico water, while sargassum rafts travel east to west across the Caribbean basin under the trade winds. The northeastern corner of the Yucatán, around Cabo Catoche, stands between that drift and the island, so Holbox generally sits outside the main arrival corridor that runs past Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel's east coast.
That is not immunity. Smaller amounts can round the point or drift down from the northeast, and the very shallow water fringing the island, with its sandbars, holds floating material near the shore instead of dragging it back out. Add to that the loose seagrass that washes up along this coast and is often mistaken for sargassum.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holbox less affected by sargassum than the Riviera Maya?
Generally yes, because the beach faces north into the Gulf and the tip of the Yucatán keeps it away from the Caribbean drift. It is a tendency, not a guarantee: lighter episodes do occur.
How do I check the beach before taking the ferry across?
The FanGass map is updated every morning and gives Holbox a rating from 0 to 5. A glance from Chiquilá, before you board, tells you what was recorded on the island.
Is everything on the sand actually sargassum?
Not always. This shoreline also receives loose seagrass, which piles up along the waterline. It looks different up close, but the two are easily confused; the daily reading concerns sargassum itself.
Does the shallow water around Holbox make a difference?
It does. With sandbars and very little depth, water moves gently near the shore, so whatever arrives tends to stay where it lands rather than being pulled back out, even in small quantities.
Nearby beaches
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