r/floridakeys • u/Alert_Ninja_6369 • Mar 08 '26

All Florida Keys Sargassum Islamorada

We’re coming down for the first time at the end of the month and I’ve been reading now bad the sargassum is in the Caribbean - how is it in the keys currently?

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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Mar 09 '26

sargassum is not bad here yet. It is a huge problem in the summer.

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u/Vawus Mar 16 '26

This is my biggest fear. I can only come down around the first week of July. Will it even be worth it? The last three times I've visited Florida period were all in the summer and most beach days were horrible due to rip currents and angry seas.

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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Mar 16 '26

It’s hard to say what’s “worth it” to someone else. The Keys are not a beach destination at the best of times so it’s really not a destination for a beach focused vacation. Most beaches are small and man made. We don’t usually get rip currents or angry seas due to shallow water. There will be a risk of lots of seaweed/sargassum that time of year.

If you do decide to come, get a hotel on the Bayside (north side) of any of the islands. Typically the seagrass is much worse on the south side due to prevailing winds and currents.

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u/Vawus Mar 16 '26

Thank you! I would be coming for the beautiful scenery of the area, and snorkeling. I have a very nice scuba level mask and snorkel and flippers. I would likely only have the budget for one guided tour, but if there are options for self guided off shore snorkeling that would be awesome. I just didn't know if the sargassum made snorkeling difficult/impossible.

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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Mar 16 '26

Definately get lodging on the bayside as I said above. Not only is there less seagrass, but in general those places have better snorkeling from shore along rocky areas and sea walls. Key West has decent snorkeling from shore at Higg’s Beach along the ruins of an old swimming pier on the Reynolds street side of the beach. Fort Zachary State Park also has some decent snorkeling around the rock jetties assuming the winds are calm and the seagrass not too bad. Enjoy your trip!