Jellyfish in Hawaii
Have you ever dreamed of the perfect Hawaiian vacation? Thinking about basking under the sun and swimming on its pure and crystal clear waters? Well, all of that will definitely come true when you visit this tropical paradise. But there might be something lurking on its beaches that might pose a problem — jellyfishes! Jellyfishes can sting badly, so we need to make sure that we are properly aware and prepared for these types of situations. Prevention is always the cure as they say, and so before you go on your trip, make sure to take extra precautions and do some research. Knowing which beaches to go to avoid jellyfishes is one thing, and then packing the appropriate stuff to keep jellyfishes away is another. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to learn some first aid tips when the inevitable happens. These and more relevant topics as we discuss jellyfish in Hawaii.
Things you need to know about a Jellyfish In Hawaii
Jellyfish, as you may have already known, are one of the rather interesting creatures of the sea. They are an ancient and beautiful group of organisms that lives for a very long time. But perhaps jellyfishes have become notorious for their sometimes-fatal sting. And this is what we need to be wary of and be careful of when we are swimming in seas or beaches that are known to have jellyfishes. But instead of worrying, let’s just go ahead and discuss some essential tips you can do when jellyfishes are within proximity.
Precautions About Jellyfish in Hawaii
- Look for signage that indicates that the waters you’re about to go into are jellyfish infested. If there’s none, then look for locals or lifeguards and ask. And if there are jellyfishes indeed then ask if they are the dangerous kind.
- Watch out for jellyfish tentacles. Even if the tentacle has detached from the organism, it can still be dangerous. There have been incidents where multiple people were stung by a Lion’s Mane jellyfishes’ tentacle even when it was already dead.
- Be wary of jellyfish seasons. Research on areas or countries where there are jellyfish seasons. These are periods of a year where their beaches would be infested. Also, jellyfish tend to plague a beach after some heavy winds or a storm.
- Wear a jellyfish repellant lotion. We’re going to list down a few jellyfish repellants for you later. Jellyfish repellants or lotions will fool any jellyfish to think that you are another jellyfish floating around. Thus their stinging mechanism won’t be activated. Nowadays, these lotions are formulated with double sunscreen and a lot of other beneficial add-ons to your skin.
Jellyfish First Aid Tips
- But if worst comes to worst and someone or yourself gets stung by a jellyfish, what do you do? Here are some tips! Watch out for a burning, stinging, and prickling pain in your skin. This may occur from quickly to a few hours, depending on the variety of jellyfish that stung you. Itching, swelling, and tingling are also signs too.
- If the sting is not dangerous, then just rinse it repeatedly with saltwater. Avoid sand getting in it, and don’t rub a towel to it. Also, use vinegar.
- Alcohol and urine on a jellyfish sting is a myth.
- Use antihistamines or steroidal anti-inflammatory creams should it persist for a few days.
- Stay vigilant, and if you can, just go ahead and consult a medical professional. Call 911 if it’s extremely urgent.
Jellyfish in Hawaii Beaches
Always checking on the Hawaiian Jellyfish Calendar should help you plan your next trip. The authorities there are always keeping people updated on what to watch out for when it comes to jellyfish infestations on their beaches. They tend to close beaches that are way too dangerous to swim on and also most beaches are lifeguarded so it should be extra safe. Box Jellyfish has always been the biggest threat. Watch out for full moons as these are the times that jellyfish invasions usually occur. Usually, eight days after a full moon, south-facing beaches are mostly infested by jellyfish. Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikiki, Hanauma Bay, and the Waianae Coast on Oahu are some. Kauai can also have warnings posted at Poipu Beach. The ones that have typically lesser problems with jellyfish are Maui beaches and Big Island beaches.
What kind of jellyfish are in Hawaii?
The most common type of jellyfish in Hawaii is the Carybdea alata and Carybdea rastonii, also known as box jellyfish because of its squared body. The box jellyfish is most commonly visiting on Hawaii’s leeward (west) and south shores. Their arrival on Hawaii’s beaches is quite predictable. They usually arrive around 9-12 days after a full moon (but infrequently, they have been observed on off-cycle days as well). This is when warning signs are posted on many Oahu beaches (warning signs are generally only posted on famous beaches). Similar to a box jellyfish, the Portuguese man-of-war also causes a painful sting. It has a purplish body and is commonly found on windward (east) shores as the prevalent northeastern tradewinds blow these creatures close to shore.
Anti-Jellyfish Lotions
1. ANTI-JELLYFISH LOTION ONLY SPF 0
Key Features and Product Information:
- Jellyfish and sea lice sting prevention
- The formula is scientifically proven
- Waterproof and dermatologically tested
- Biodegradable bottle and non-toxic for marine life
- Lotion Only
- 4oz Bottle
Review: Visit SafeSea.store official shop for the world’s only lotion that’s scientifically developed to help the prevention of stings from almost all types of jellyfish, stinging corals, and sea lice. As the features indicate, this formula is dermatologically tested, so it’s safe for both your skin and also for marine environments. It contains sunscreen too!
Sea Lice Hawaii |
2. ANTI-JELLYFISH LOTION – SPF 40 SPRAY
www.safesea.store
Key Features and Product Information:
- Jellyfish and sea lice sting prevention
- Gives you UV and sun rays protection
- The formula is scientifically proven.
- Waterproof and dermatologically tested
- Biodegradable bottle and non-toxic for marine life
Review: A state of the art formula comes with the ANTI-JELLYFISH LOTION SPF 40. It is available in 4-ounce bottles in lotion or manual pump spray. Guaranteed to provide both protection against jellyfish stings and, at the same time, hypoallergenic, harmless to aquatic life, and biodegradable.
3. ANTI-JELLYFISH LOTION – SPF 50 KIDS
Key Features and Product Information:
- All-in-one jellyfish sting inhibitor w/ sunblock (diver’s formula also available)
- The formula is scientifically proven (Nat Geo recommended)
- Dermatologically tested (hypoallergenic)
- Good up to 80 minutes, very water-resistant
- Biodegradable bottle and non-toxic for marine life
Review: This version is for your little ones, presenting the SPF 50 KIDS lotion, available in a 2-ounce tube or 4-ounce bottle. Guaranteed to provide both protection against jellyfish stings and, at the same time, hypoallergenic, harmless to aquatic life, and biodegradable. Keeps your kids safe while they have fun.
Final Thoughts…
Being vigilant and doing your due diligence on research before planning a trip is always going to be beneficial. It’s not only for safety purposes but at the same time efficiency. You’ve planned that trip for probably months, and you definitely don’t want it ruined. Jellyfish in Hawaii isn’t a new issue, so it should be easy to go around it and make some memorable trips to this island paradise.
