Amigos de Caricoos

02/09/2026

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Looking ahead: Sargassum amount in all regions will continue to decrease in the coming months until possibly November. Meanwhile, beaching events around the Caribbean and southeast coast of Florida will continue, but not as severe as in the summer months. We will keep a close eye on whether there are anomalous changes in the coming months.

A perspective for the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) The map above shows the average Sargassum abundance for the month of August 2026, with warm colors representing higher abundance. The top co...

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

⚠️ If you’re heading to the beach or engaging in marine activities, stay informed and take the necessary precautions. Visit www.caricoos.org
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⚠️ Si vas a la playa o planificas realizar actividades en el mar, mantente informado y toma las precauciones necesarias.

Visita www.caricoos.org para conocer las condiciones del mar y la costa.

12/08/2026

🌊 How much sargassum is reaching our shores?

CARICOOS monitors sargassum weekly, combining field measurements with satellite imagery and ocean data to better understand coastal conditions.

07/08/2026

🏖️ Planning a beach day? Let Pa’ La Playa help you decide where to go.

Explore beaches across Puerto Rico and check weather conditions, waves, wind, available activities, and facilities before heading out. You can also access reviews and directions directly from the app.

🌊 Plan ahead and make informed decisions before your next beach trip with Pa’ La Playa.
Download:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pa-la-playa/id1402765796
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.caricoos.palaplaya&hl=en&pli=1

20/07/2026

The CARICOOS MAPCO₂ buoy in La Parguera ( https://www.caricoos.org/station/la-parguera/us ) continuously measures salinity, an important indicator of changing ocean conditions. Over the past 30 days, salinity has remained relatively stable, reflecting the naturally high-salinity waters of the Caribbean. However, a temporary decrease has been observed during the past few days.
What could cause a temporary drop in salinity?
💧 Possible explanations include:

Wind-driven or tidal mixing that temporarily altered the water, reaching the buoy.
Advection of a slightly fresher water mass by regional currents.
A weak influence from southeastern Caribbean waters, possibly associated with the seasonal freshwater signal that eventually includes Orinoco-derived water.
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La boya MAPCO₂ de CARICOOS en La Parguera mide continuamente la salinidad, un indicador importante de los cambios en las condiciones del océano. Durante los últimos días se ha observado una disminución temporal en la salinidad.
¿Qué podría causar esta disminución temporal?
💧 Algunas posibles explicaciones incluyen:
• Mezcla inducida por el viento o las mareas, que modificó temporalmente las masas de agua que llegan a la boya.
• Transporte de una masa de agua ligeramente menos salina por las corrientes regionales.
• Una débil influencia de aguas provenientes del sureste del Caribe, posiblemente asociada con la señal estacional de agua dulce que eventualmente incluye aportes del río Orinoco.

17/07/2026

15/07/2026

Summer heat is rising—and our ocean is responding. 🌊☀️

Recent observations from the CARICOOS MAPCO₂ buoy in La Parguera and the Arecibo and Rincón buoys show a steady increase in sea surface temperature across the U.S. Caribbean over the past several weeks.

At the same time, the latest NOAA Coral Reef Watch outlook indicates that much of the Caribbean is now under a Coral Bleaching Watch, meaning sea surface temperature has reached thresholds that could lead to coral bleaching if warm conditions persist.

Healthy coral reefs protect our coastlines, support fisheries and tourism, and provide habitat for thousands of marine species.

Learn more and monitor conditions:
https://www.caricoos.org/oceans/observation/reef/ATLANTIC/alert-areas
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Observaciones recientes de la boya MAPCO₂ de CARICOOS en La Parguera y de las boyas de Arecibo y Rincón muestran un aumento sostenido en la temperatura de la superficie del mar en el Caribe estadounidense durante las últimas semanas.

Al mismo tiempo, la más reciente perspectiva de NOAA Coral Reef Watch indica que gran parte del Caribe se encuentra bajo un nivel de Vigilancia por Blanqueamiento de Corales (Coral Bleaching Watch). Esto significa que la temperatura de la superficie del mar ha alcanzado niveles que podrían provocar el blanqueamiento de los corales si las condiciones cálidas persisten.

Los arrecifes de coral saludables protegen nuestras costas del impacto del oleaje, sostienen las pesquerías y el turismo, y proporcionan hábitat para miles de especies marinas.

14/07/2026

Informes recientes del este de Puerto Rico son consistentes con el Pronóstico de Inundación de Sargazo Cercano a la Costa a 7 días de CARICOOS, el cual proyecta acumulación continua en varios sectores costeros, con puntos localizados que podrían alcanzar entre 25 y 35 kg/m/semana
visita: www.caricoos.org/sargassum
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Recent reports from eastern Puerto Rico are consistent with the CARICOOS 7-day Near-Coastal Sargassum Inundation Forecast, which shows continued accumulation along parts of the coastline, with localized hotspots reaching 25–35 kg/m/week.
Forecasts like these help coastal communities, resource managers, and beachgoers prepare for changing conditions.
Track the latest forecast at: www.caricoos.org/sargassum

10/07/2026

Este mapa de la profundidad óptica de aerosoles (AOD) muestra el polvo suspendido en la atmósfera que se desplaza a través del Atlántico tropical.
⬛ Las áreas negras representan datos satelitales no disponibles, generalmente debido a la cobertura de nubes, no a la ausencia de polvo.
La imagen sugiere una capa de Aire del Sáhara (SAL) continua que se extiende por el Atlántico y alcanza Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes Estadounidenses.
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This Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) map tracks airborne dust as it travels across the Tropical Atlantic.
⬛ Black areas indicate missing satellite data, usually due to cloud cover—not the absence of dust.
The imagery suggests a continuous Saharan Air Layer (SAL) extending across the Atlantic and reaching Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with dust likely to persist over the coming days.
Stay informed with the latest observations at: https://aerosols.caricoos.org/