BREVARD COUNTY, Fla -- It’s on the way. ​Possibly one of the largest masses of seaweed to ever wash up on our beaches.

Experts say the 5000 mile long bloom developed earlier this year, and depending on the currents and wind it could aim for the Space Coast beaches.

Nicole Stoper brought her two boys to Paradise Beach today.

Six-year-old Thomas and four-year-old Chandler are in sand heaven, digging a hole to build their very own castle.

“It’s been cold all week, so it’s the first day we could get out in the sun,” Nicole said.

Tourism leaders are also in heaven.

This year’s spring break numbers are off the charts looking like the strongest ever, with nearly a 90 percent hotel room occupancy rate.

But there’s something looming on the horizon.

The large floating sea of sargassum on the way to the coast that could spoil the show. Nicole has seen this seaweed before.

“It smells. The kids don’t want to play in it. Things hide in there,” she said.

This latest surge is 20 percent larger than the previous record set in 2019.

“What’s notable this year, is they see and early winter surge of sargassum in this region, and it seems like it’s on track to be among the worse years for the supply of sargassum,” said Kevin Johnson, Florida Tech professor, Ocean Engineering & Marine Sciences.

Johnson adds the goal is to find out why it’s different this year.

He said nutrients from the Amazon River flowing into the ocean and fires could fuel it in Africa.

“With a little onshore wind will blow it onto our beaches,” Johnson said.

If we get that massive amount of seaweed, Nicole said they won’t visit the beach again until it washes away.

She’s glad she beat the sargassum rush. “Got out here just in time,” she smiles.

Sargassum washes up every year, usually starting in May. Once it’s here, it rots on the beach, creating a stinky mess.