Last updated: August 2026
The short version: the Clear-Beach Index is a free planning tool. Seaweed conditions change fast and our ratings are informed estimates, not promises. Always confirm current conditions with the resort before you travel, and treat every rating as guidance rather than a guarantee.
The Clear-Beach Index (the “Index”), published by CaribbeanMag with sargassum expertise from the advisors at Pixie Vacations, is provided for general informational and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, financial, or travel advice, and it is not a substitute for your own research and judgment.
Sargassum (seaweed) is highly variable. The amount on any given beach can change significantly within hours because of wind, ocean currents, tides, weather, and each property’s cleanup efforts. A beach the Index describes as clear may have sargassum when you arrive, and a beach described as heavy may be clear that day. We do not guarantee, warrant, or promise that any beach will be in any particular condition on any date.
Our ratings are estimates and editorial opinions derived from third-party beach-monitoring data and the geographic orientation of each beach. They describe expected sargassum exposure only. They are not statements of fact about any resort or hotel, and they are not a measure of a property’s quality, cleanliness, service, safety, or value. Reasonable people may disagree with any given rating.
Data may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate, and monitoring sources may be unavailable. All content is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including any implied warranties of accuracy, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
You are solely responsible for your own travel, booking, and other decisions. Always verify current beach conditions directly with the resort or official local sources before making plans. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CaribbeanMag, Pixie Vacations, and their owners, employees, contractors, and advisors are not liable for any loss, cost, damage, or disappointment of any kind arising from your use of, or reliance on, the Index.
Resort, hotel, and brand names are used for identification and editorial purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply any affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership. All trademarks and images belong to their respective owners.
Our regional intensity signal is derived from the Alternate Floating Algae Index (AFAI) produced by the University of South Florida College of Marine Science Optical Oceanography Laboratory (Sargassum Watch System) and distributed by NOAA AOML / CoastWatch. We compute our own metrics from that underlying satellite data — we do not republish USF or NOAA imagery. These are experimental research products subject to ongoing validation. Satellite observations detect seaweed offshore in open water; they are not a measurement of, or a forecast for, conditions on any specific beach. We gratefully credit USF OOL and NOAA AOML/CoastWatch as the source of the underlying data.
Some links on the Index and on CaribbeanMag are affiliate or partner links, and Pixie Vacations may earn a commission or booking benefit if you book through them, at no additional cost to you. This never influences a rating. See our full affiliate disclosure.
The Index links to third-party websites we do not control — including resort booking pages, live webcams, and quote-request forms. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of those sites, and a link is not an endorsement.
Your use of the Index is also governed by the CaribbeanMag Privacy Policy.
We may update this disclaimer from time to time. The “last updated” date above reflects the current version, and your continued use of the Index means you accept it.
The Index is operated from the United States. To the fullest extent permitted by law, these terms are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions.
We want the Index to be fair and current. If you represent a property and believe a rating is inaccurate or out of date — or you have recent on-the-ground evidence about your beach — please contact us at hello@caribbeanmag.com and we will review it promptly.
Questions about this disclaimer, or want help booking a clear-beach resort? Return to the Index or talk to a Pixie Vacations advisor.
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