Satellite data and the University of South Florida’s (USF) Optical Oceanography Lab confirm that 2025 is shaping up to be the most extreme Sargassum year on record, with an estimated 37–38 million metric tons in May alone—surpassing the previous record of ~22 million in 2022.
These massive blooms originated from the so-called Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, fueled by shifting wind patterns, deep-ocean nutrient upwelling, agricultural runoff, and climate change.
Florida beaches, especially South and Southeast Florida, have started receiving large mats of Sargassum. Miami and adjacent areas experienced significant influxes in May, June and early July.
Local impact in Florida Source: Lisa Witcpalek Beach conditions:
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