Sargassum influxes are said to be unpredictable, often arriving in pulses during the summer and early fall when the seaweed accumulates in shallow water and along shorelines. Photo: Facebook

A thick mat of Sargassum seaweed has moved into the western half of White Bay, turning the usual scene into a navigation headache for boaters and raising concerns among local businesses. Photo: Facebook

Yacht spotted in sargassum

On the morning of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, a private yacht was observed drifting slowly within a dense Sargassum field just off the western beach, its propeller partially fouled by the seaweed. 

Sargassum influxes are said to be unpredictable, often arriving in pulses during the summer and early fall when the seaweed accumulates in shallow water and along shorelines.

The situation is reportedly being closely monitored since heavy Sargassum can discourage visitors who expect the classic white-sand, turquoise-water experience.  

Environmental reports from elsewhere in the Caribbean have documented similar challenges, with Sargassum seaweed affecting seagrass beds, nearshore ecosystems, and tourism-dependent economies when it accumulates in large volumes.