16/07/2026
🌊 It's Not Sargassum: What's Causing the Massive Arrival of Algae in Guayabitos?
The huge accumulation of algae in Rincón de Guayabitos, Nayarit, has raised concerns among residents, tourists, and local businesses during the peak summer vacation season.
Although many people on social media initially referred to it as "sargassum," specialists from the Autonomous University of Nayarit (UAN) analyzed samples and confirmed that it is actually a red macroalga of the genus Hypnea, which is different from the sargassum that affects Mexico's Caribbean coast.
According to the Nayarit Secretariat of Sustainable Development, the phenomenon may be related to the algae's natural life cycle, sea temperature, nutrient levels, ocean currents, and wave conditions. Authorities continue cleanup efforts and ongoing monitoring.
However, the sheer scale of the accumulation has drawn particular attention. Reports indicate that cleanup crews have already removed more than five tons of algae from the shoreline.
Experts have noted that nutrient-rich water conditions are promoting the growth of these macroalgae. As a result, this unusually large bloom has raised questions about the specific environmental conditions that triggered such a massive accumulation this year.
🌊 It is not sargassum, and authorities say it poses no risk to the public. Nevertheless, the massive arrival of algae at one of Nayarit's most popular beaches deserves close attention, especially during the busy tourist season.
