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Beaches on Spain’s Costa del Sol put on Alert as deadly Portuguese Man o’war Jellyfish set to Invade Andalusia

By Tony Winterburn • Published: 06 Aug 2020 • 9:03

A Man O'War jellyfish has been found on a beach in Marbella. image: Facebook

THE dangerous jellyfish which forced the closure of three Benidorm beaches last year have been spotted off the coast of Marbella.

Marbella Town Hall has not offered any information on whether there are jellyfish in the sea, preferring to wait until the start of the high season (which is delayed this year due to the crisis) but lifeguards have been told to watch out for these nasty creatures and to make sure they can offer the medical help required should someone be unlucky enough to get stung.

Avoid the water when there are a lot of jellyfish present, such as during a jellyfish bloom. Always survey your surroundings when you arrive at the beach. Seeing jellyfish that have washed up on the beach may be an indicator of jellyfish in the water.

Jellyfish are often present on or near the shore after heavy rain, windy weather, or warmer temperatures such as experienced recently on the Costa del Sol.

Lifeguards will usually make beachgoers aware if jellyfish currently pose a threat to swimmers. Some beaches will post signs or flags. A purple sign indicates dangerous marine life, such as jellyfish. You can also get information from locals or health officials before entering the water.

Last year three beaches were forced to close temporarily in Benidorm’s Costa Blanca holiday resort when jellies were spotted lurking in the water. Sting victims have been left “paralysed with agony” after coming into contact with the Man O’War’s tentacles, which can stretch to over 100 feet in length.

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Tony Winterburn

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