Jellyfish at Castaway Cay

[MarcyIn Florida]

I've never had a problem with sea lice in December, but I've encountered jelly fish year round -- it really depends on how hearty they are and how cold it gets.

Just remember that they don't attack you (at least not near Florida; Australia is a different story!) -- they drift into you.

I highly, highly recommend Safe Sea and/or Safe Sea Kids. I always pack Benadryl cream just in case we get stung (and trust me -- I've been stung too many times to count!).

Marcy

 

[huckster]

we were on CC 25th of august this year there were quite a few at family beach far end. There was a man catching them in a bucket and putting over by the rocks at the end of the beach . we didnt notice then until we asked him what he was doing.. so no more swimming for me that day.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

There were stinging jellyfish in July. A number of people were stung.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Well I went today to the Dive Shop (Yes the one that CatLady found with her online search) and bought some Safe Sea. The only time I felt stupid was when the way out diving dude asked me when my cruise was and I was too embarrassed to tell him January! LOL! But seriously, I really do like to be prepared wayyyyy in advance!

I'm not sure if there will be sea lice in January or if the jellyfish will be stinging- but my family and I will be protected.

The only bummer thing was the price- $15 for a somewhat small bottle. Not sure if that was a real rip off but I didn't want to look all over for such a specialty item.

Thanks for all of the advice (again!)

PS- I got the one with sunscreen, since the one without was the same price.

 

[Habsfan]

Ok so is there a problem with this in Dec we will have 5 kids with us who all love the water ranging in age from 4-11 and we would like to make sure they are all safe.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

I've paid about $13 to $15 for Safe Sea, so you didn't get ripped off. It is a rather small bottle though, so we only used it on days we knew we'd be in the ocean. I also found that the sunscreen was not as effective as the regular sunscreen we used. So we just "doubled up" with Safe Sea and regular waterproof sunscreen.

I wouldn't even consider going in the ocean without it, because I HATE jellyfish stings (not that anyone LIKES them! )

I never once worried about jellyfish once we put it on! The peace of mind is definitely worth the price.

Stacy

 

[EMS205]

I leave next Sat the 16th, am I going to have to worry about all of these things? This will be our first and I don't want to get stung nor do I want my kids.

Is this just something around CC? My DH and I went on a cruise in Jan and didn't have any problems with any lice or jelly fish.

Donna

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I do remember someone saying that they had a problem in February, and that is outside the March- August timeframe. I'm not sure but I think that the regular jellyfish can be present anytime it doesn't get too cold to kill them off, so if you are really concerned, just buy the Safe Sea like I did and be prepared.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I saw a few small ones while snorkeling at the family beach last Dec. They were so small I almost didn't even see them.

 

[zeke11]

Aren't jellyfish too big to be warded off by Sea Safe? I thought Sea Safe was only for the sea lice (the baby jellyfish).

Kris

 

[CatLady]

Glad you were able to find it, mickeyfanmom! I don't think I have ever seen Safe Sea for less than about $13, so you didn't get ripped off. Stuff like that is a specialty item, especially so far inland, so it's likely to cost a couple dollars more there than it would where they can sell it in volume!

zeke11, I think the idea behind SafeSea is that it helps stop the chemical reaction that causes the sting of the jellyfish. It's not going to ward them off (they just drift around, unless you're in Australia), but it helps them not to hurt you. At least, that's what the manufacturer's web site says.

I guess I ought to say that I don't work for them and am not affiliated in any way. I just happen to be a scuba diver who knows people who have been hurt by sea lice and swear by the stuff.

All of this discussion of SafeSea has DH determined to go out and buy some. We did without last November and were fine, even with diving in Nassau and extended snorkeling at Castaway Cay.

 

[zeke11]

Thanks CatLady -

I was thinking it was like a mosquito repellant or something - LOL!

Can you tell I'm from the midwest?

Kris

 

[Vickibean]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll be buying Safe Sea when we get to Florida. One more question, though. Could someone with a bottle tell me if there are any warnings for pregnant women? I'll be 3 months on our December cruise.

 

[mhelsley]

I have the kids version because of sensitive skin and i can find no warning on it cautioning pregnant women not to use it. Oh and this is the bottle with 30+spf sunscreen. Hope this helps.


Boy if you think the price on this is high try 18.99(cheapest i found)to 25.00 for a 2 ounce bottle of Fallene total block this is what my MIL doctor recomended.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Vickibean- I just checked my bottle of regular Safe Sea (the dive shop where I went doesn't stock the children's kind) and it doesn't have any warnings for pregnant women on it at all. It does say that it is for adults and children aged six months and older, though.

I think that the main difference is that mine is SPF 15 only and the children's is 30. I think that you need to ask your doctor, but I remember wearing regular sunscreen while I was pregnant and this stuff doesn't have any additional warnings so I think that you would be fine.

I may put the regular SPF 30 on the kids first and then put the Safe Sea on top. Does anyone know if this would prevent effectiveness of the non-stinging chemical?

 

[eander5696]

Hey guys...

I was on Castaway Cay on Friday, and there were no jellyfish sightings.

That doesn't mean they weren't there, I just didn't see them

I was on the kids beach, and all the way out by the snorkeling place and the kids "jugle gym" in the water.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Awesome to hear! You were just there on Friday- is it tough to be home?

Somehow I think that I know the answer to that question! LOL!

Thanks for updating us!

 

[eander5696]

Oh I can't even tell you how much it STINKS to be home. I don't wanna unpack, I don't wanna do ANYTHING. Im so bummed.

This trip was the big thing for me for soooooo long, and now....nothing to countdown to! haha.

I do still have sea legs tho, so that keeps me thinking of the Magic

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I feel for you, I really do!

I think that for a lot of us, anticipation and planning is a lot of the fun. But I guess that's what makes us weird to the "outside world!" LOL!

Well at least you can continue to visit Castaway Cay in your mind and offer all of the rest of us your seasoned veteran tips!

Can't wait until January!

 

[3redheads]

I found it a little less expensive at this site:

http://www.safesea.net/order.cfm?cfid=5840914&cftoken=58265492

I'm ordering some today

Kim