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.



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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.

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Jellyfish season in Miami / South Florida can arrive as early as May and can last until October. Usually, they peak in August or September.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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One of the most common types of jellyfish you'll see out at sea around the Florida coast are moon jellyfish. A true jellyfish, the moon jellyfish (or moon jelly) can be huge, about the size of a large plate, and quite beautiful.

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