Matachica: sargassum, weather & water today
Ambergris Caye, BZ · Belize, Belize · 17.985, -87.922
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Sargassum season at Matachica
Sargassum risk at Matachica typically peaks around June (very high in a typical year). Months most likely to see heavy seaweed: May, June, July, August, September. Lowest-risk months: January, February, November, December. Actual landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; check the live conditions above.
Typical-year risk from the published seasonality of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt × this beach's exposure (77%). Beach faces 117°; onshore winds from that direction push seaweed ashore.
| Month | Typical risk |
|---|---|
| January | Low |
| February | Low |
| March | Moderate |
| April | Moderate |
| May | High |
| June | Very high |
| July | Very high |
| August | High |
| September | High |
| October | Moderate |
| November | Low |
| December | Low |
Cleanup & barriers
- Offshore barriers
- Few booms; the Belize Barrier Reef breaks up but does not stop mats reaching caye shores.
- Public cleanup
- Village councils and Sargassum Task Force crews rake public beaches on Ambergris and Caye Caulker during heavy years.
- Resort crews
- Upscale resorts rake frontage daily; smaller properties rely on hand crews.
- Typical clearing time
- Frontage usually cleared by mid-morning; shallow backreef water can stay tea-colored for days.
Safety notes
US State Dept: Belize, Level 2 (verify)
- Petty theft and crime concentrated in Belize City; cayes and Placencia generally calmer
- Use licensed guides for reef and dive trips; check boat safety gear
- Golf carts are the main transport on Ambergris; roads unlit at night
Check official advisories and local flags before swimming. Decomposing sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide; avoid heavy piles.
Things to do near Ambergris Caye, BZ
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley
- Great Blue Hole
- Caye Caulker Split
- Mayan sites (Altun Ha, Xunantunich)
- Cave tubing & ATM cave
- Laughing Bird Caye (Placencia)
Fly in for the best beach days
Suggested dates fall in December, typically the lowest-seaweed month ahead for Matachica. Change them to match the live forecast above.
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Nearest airports
- San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (SPR), ~9 km
- Philip S. W. Goldson Intl (Belize City) (BZE), ~64 km
Nearby resorts
- Matachica Resort & Spa Ambergris Caye, BZ · 1 km
- Portofino Resort Ambergris Caye, BZ · 1 km
- Costa Blu Resort Ambergris Caye, BZ · 2 km
- Blue Dolphin Villa Ambergris Caye, BZ · 3 km
- Belizean Shores Resort Ambergris Caye, BZ · 3 km
- X'Tan Ha Resort Ambergris Caye, BZ · 3 km
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