jellyfish at Vero beach? Tell me it's not so!!

[D L and K's Mom]

YIKES, I read somewhere about jelly fish at Vero beach? We will be there in Aug do I have to worry about the kids and jellyfish? We had to bring special creme on the Disney cruise a few years ago for "baby jellyfish" but this was becasue it was the to the Bahamas. Are there really jellyfish? YUCK!!!!

 

[Bill K]

Hey ! Its the Atlantic Ocean, I would'nt let it ruin your vacation!

 

[marymrg]

Didn't see any on this past trip or last year but two years ago (March) DS was stun on the hands and foot. He picked it up, got stung and then dropped it on his foot. We do take blame though because we hadn't warned him about it. The lifeguards at the pool gave us some ointment and then we made a trip to the drugstore. He was in pain for a few days - so be careful!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

We used to live in Vero, and about twice a year, because of the currents or Gulf Stream or something, we'd have a perfectly horrible infestation, to the extent you couldn't/shouldn't get in the water. These were those infernal Portuguese Man-o-Wars, and if you've ever been stung by one of those, you'll not soon forget it. It actually causes the skin to turn dark and eventually flake off. Ack.

Having terrified you, I'll say that the REST of the time, you'll see the occasional jelly, but they're no worse than they'd be in any other coastal location. I have the hardest time convincing DD that it's just the nature of nature ... the ocean is full of critters.

Don't let worrying about the little buggers spoil your vacation!

 

[OneMoreTry]

In the Atlantic there are always the small, non-stinging ones shaped and sized like a kiwi fruit. Usually sparse. There are also occasional jellyfish like the ones in Finding Nemo. You don't see those. Man-of-War are the bad ones. If they're around there will usually be warning signs up and/or you'll see them in the sand. Don't step on them -- they sting after they're dead. Also, the tentacles can stretch 10 or 15 feet from the floating bubble -- I learned that the hard way.

Personally, I don't worry about jellyfish. My worst encounter at the beach was with a crab -- youch. Never saw the thing. Maybe it was a sting ray.

I never let these critters stop me from going in the water, though. Especially when there are waves and I have a boogie board.

 

[marymrg]

That's the kind that DS was stung by. I think he was just curious about it.....because it was purple. It was dead but it still stung. Luckily, his skin didn't flake off but I do think it was discolored.

 

[sgtdisney]

We were just at Vero last week for three nights and went into the ocean last Tuesday. I didn't see any fish or jellyfish, I was trying to keep my eye out for them. I did see one gull diving for fish out a little further but that was it.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thanks for the info. I can handle the occasional floating by friend of a jellyfish but, I really don't want to have to worry about a huge infestation of them. Thanks for the info.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I've swam at the beach and have gone barefoot several times and have not had a problem...

That being said that though, I went on the Beachwalk with Mike last year, and he must have pointed out 5 or so Man of War that were lying dead on the sand... (The was in mid December..)

Now that I know what they look like, I don't expect to have any issues in trying to avoid them....