Sargassum in Punta Cana. How to avoid it, and which hotels are the most affected
Find out if there will be sargassum in Punta Cana on the date you travel, which beaches and hotels you should avoid, and how to enjoy the best Caribbean beaches free of this algae.
It is not harmful to health, but its accumulation is harmful to ecosystems and, in addition, due to the large amount in which it accumulates on the beaches, it gives off a bad smell when it decomposes.
Where does Sargassum come from?
This algae comes from the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, a huge underwater forest where many species of marine animals live and reproduce.
Since 2013 it has been observed that due to climate change, these algae are shed like the leaves of the trees in autumn, and move towards the entire Caribbean due to ocean currents.
Sargassum season in Punta Cana
The Sargasso reaches the coast of Punta Cana from the end of May to September. This does not mean that it reaches all the beaches, but it does reach many of them, and you should know which ones to avoid on your vacation.
How long does sargassum last in Punta Cana?
Since the sargassum arrives in Punta Cana at the end of May, it intensifies until its highest arrival peak is July, so until September you will find sargassum on the beaches.
When is there no sargassum in Punta Cana?
It is at the end of September when there stops being sargassum naturally, thanks to any storm that may occur, and because no more quantity continues to arrive until the following May.
From October to May it is also when fewer people travel to the Caribbean, but nevertheless it is when there is better weather, less rain, less heat and less overcrowding, which translates into cheaper prices.
If you want to avoid sargassum in Punta Cana, the best date to travel is from October to May, or if your trip is on these dates, you can avoid it by choosing your hotel well, since it depends on where you are, it will arrive in more or less quantity .
Hotels and beaches most affected by Sargasso in Punta Cana
Sargassum does not reach all the beaches of Punta Cana in the same way, there are even beaches that do not even have them, and this means that depending on the hotel where you stay, your vacations will be affected by sargassum or not.
Hotels in Punta Cana where a lot of sargassum arrives
Make sure not to stay in the Cabeza de Toro area, in some hotels in Arena Gorda and Playa Bávaro, and in Cap Cana. They are by far the areas most affected by sargassum. It arrives in quantities that accumulate in mountains, and do not allow you to enjoy bathing on the beach:
- Bahía Príncipe Punta Cana
- Bahía Príncipe Bávaro
- Bahía Príncipe Esmeralda
- Bahía Príncipe Ámbar
- Bahía Príncipe Turquesa
- Bahía Príncipe Premier
- Hard Rock
- Sopesan
- Impressive Bávaro Beach
- Impressive Dominican Beach
- Majestic Colonial
- Majestic Elegante
- Majestic Mirage
- Meliá Caribe
- Meliá Tropical
- Paradisus Palma Real
- Palma Real Reserve
- Vista Sol
- Whala! Bávaro
- Be Live Punta Cana
- Blue Beach
- Catalonia Bávaro
- Catalonia Royal
- Dreams Palm Beach
- Serenade Punta cana
- Natura Park
- Palladium Palace
- Palladium Punta Cana
- Palladium Bávaro
- Fishing Lodge
- Alsol del Mar
- Alsol Luxury
- Alsol Tiara
- AM Resort Juanillo
- Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana
- Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
- Sanctuary
- Secret Cap Cana
- Ancora Punta Cana
Hotels in Punta Cana where sargassum hardly arrives (practically nothing)
If you come to Punta Cana during the sargassum season and want to avoid it, stay at one of these hotels:
- Breathless Punta Cana
- Chic Punta Cana
- Colony Bay
- Dreams Punta Cana
- Excellence Punta Cana
- Excellence El Carmen
- Nickelodeon
- Now Onyx
- Ocean El Faro
- Sensatory
- Sivory
- Zoetry
- Dreams Macao
In Bayahibe there is no sargassum, and it is the best option to stay from May to September if you come to the Dominican Republic
Sargassum does not reach Bayahibe, simple as that. Thanks to its geographical location it is impossible for it to arrive, and this means that its beaches are clean throughout the year.
Beaches where Sargassum does not arrive in Punta Cana
There are beaches in Punta Cana that are free of sargassum, such as Playa Macao, due to its geographical location, and you can reach them by vehicle (car or motorcycle), through a buggies tour, or the Safari tour.
Other beaches in Punta Cana where the sargassum does not arrive are in Uvero Alto, or already reaching Miches, such as Playa Esmeralda, but these are much more remote to arrive while on vacation in a Resort.
If you want to visit incredible beaches without sargassum, don’t miss the Saona VIP tour (preferred by our clients), the Saona Catamaran tour, or the Catalina Island tour, as you will see dream beaches.
