Where do jellyfish live in Florida?
Where do jellyfish live in Florida? Moon jellies are commonly seen drifting just below the surface of the water, so you'll be able to spot them from your boat, kayak, or paddleboard. Around the winter months, these jellyfish are extremely common around the Florida Keys.
When should you swim to avoid jellyfish?
Talk to lifeguards, local residents or officials with a local health department before swimming or diving in coastal waters, especially in areas where jellyfish are common. Avoid water during jellyfish season. Stay out of the water in jellyfish areas when jellyfish numbers are high.
Why are jellyfish so bad in Florida right now?
Why are there so many jellyfish in Florida right now? Until a shift in the weather comes with rainfall and a northern wind, Wehrhahn said the jellyfish will stick around. Jellyfish can move up and down in a water current column but are not strong enough to fight it.
How do you know if a beach has jellyfish?
How do I know if there are jellyfish in the water? Harding recommends talking to lifeguards and other beachgoers and staying alert when swimming. Check the lifeguard's flags (blue means dangerous marine life) and look for sea creatures washed up on the sand. If you see one jellyfish, there will probably be more.
Is it safe to swim with jellyfish in Florida?
While most jellyfish do not sting, Florida has several species (including those pictured) that sting. Contact with tentacles (even those that have broken off) can cause red, raised streaky welts that can last from 1-2 weeks and cause severe pain, tingling, itching, and even nausea and headache.
What beach in Florida has the least jellyfish?
The heaviest concentrations of jellyfish occur on the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida and in the Panhandle region on the Gulf coast. The lower Gulf Coast peninsula--from the Tampa area south to Marco Island--seems to have fewer jellyfish.
Do all Florida beaches have jellyfish?
Jellyfish are common in Florida, but they are not everywhere all of the time. I have been swimming in the Gulf of Mexico for my whole life and I've never been stung by a jellyfish. If you keep your eyes open they are easy to avoid. Sometimes, in some locations, a large mass of jellyfish will “invade” the beach.