Florida's Beaches Have a Major Problem Just in Time for Spring Break, and the Smell Is Unbearable

Florida’s beaches are no stranger to spring break crowds, but this year, visitors are running into something far less welcome (and a lot stinkier) than packed shorelines.

As millions head south for sunshine and clear blue water, many are being greeted by thick piles of sargassum, a naturally occurring brown seaweed that has a habit of turning picture-perfect coastlines into something far less inviting.

What is Sargassum?

The issue isn’t just what it looks like (although it's far from aesthetically pleasing), it’s the smell.