Seaweed. It’s not the first thing you picture when you think of luxurious beaches and relaxing vacations, but it’s a natural phenomenon that occurs every now and then and is out of beachgoers’ control. A more-than-usual amount of seaweed has been washing up on the shores of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic and other popular Caribbean destinations, suspected in part to ocean changes related to climate changes. The unsightly, unpleasant-smelling green has some vacationers concerned.

Not to worry! Many resorts in those areas have daily cleaning rituals that rid the beaches of the seaweed before the typical beach rush comes in. Unfortunately, the clumps of seaweed can actually cause major damage in the ocean and isn’t so easy to ignore, like it is on land.

It’s important to consider how crucial beach-time is on your vacation. Do you plan on soaking up the sun in the sand, or will more time poolside suffice? “If you have already booked for October or November, call your hotel to see what measures are being taken to clear the seaweed from the beaches,” says Town & Country Travel CEO Teresa Johnson. “The seaweed issue should be gone by the end of hurricane season in November.” Town & Country Travel assures its clients that there is no need to worry as resorts are actively tidying up the beaches.

If you or someone you know booked a vacation in October or November of 2018 through Town & Country Travel, don’t hesitate to contact the team to get an update on your resort’s beach.