Those who do not want encounters with jellyfish on Spanish beaches or in the sea this summer can check the situation at various locations in real time.
A website and an app provide information on whether there are jellyfish in a particular area, what species they are, how dangerous they are and whether they sting.
Such infestations are becoming increasingly common. Whether on a beach in Almeria, in Ceuta, Valencia or in the Mar Menor in Murcia. The rise in water temperatures, especially in the Mediterranean, and the absence of their natural enemy mean that these molluscs can spoil the fun of a dip in the sea.
With the MedusaApp, before heading to the beach, real-time information allows you to find out if there are jellyfish. And not only whether they are there, but also whether they are harmless or viciously biting. You can download the app from the Appstore or GooglePlay.
Traffic light
Green dots indicate areas or beaches that are jellyfish-free. Furthermore, if there is an uncoloured warning, it means jellyfish that do not sting have been found in that area. Moreover, a risk traffic light has been set up for areas where there are stinging jellyfish:
Yellow – lightly stinging
Orange – painfully stinging
Red – very painfully stinging
There is also the option to filter the jellyfish map of Spain’s beaches by dates. This allows you to see in which areas you are most at risk, where they are more common and which are involved. Useful if you want to avoid jellyfish at all costs during your holidays. This practical warning system was created by the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
These species are the most common in Spain
According to data from the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, these jellyfish species are the most common on the Spanish coast:
Portuguese man o´war
The most dangerous of all, It can have tentacles up to 20 metres long, and can be recognised by its violet colour above the surface of the water. Fortunately, it is rarely found on Spanish beaches or in Spanish waters.
The pearl or luminous jellyfish
A sting from the luminous jellyfish stings very badly. The species is common in Spain. They are brown when young and pink when mature. It can be up to 20 centimetres in diameter.
Compass jellyfish
These are rare in Spain. A sting from the compass jellyfish stings very badly and can be painful. They are yellowish in colour with brown stripes, and resemble an umbrella.
Cross jellyfish
Can sting viciously. The good news is that it is rare on Spanish beaches. It is translucent, with purple tentacles.
Cube jellyfish or sea wasp
This species is not common in Spain, however, it can sting viciously. It is cubical, translucent, bluish or whitish in colour and has four long, well-marked tentacles.
Blue jellyfish
Is common and stings. Grows up to 40 centimetres and is bluish-white in colour.
Giant jellyfish
Rare on Spanish coasts, but it stings. It is very large, up to 60 centimetres. It is bluish-white in colour.
Mud jellyfish
Common in Spain. There is currently an infestation in the Mar Menor in Murcia.
Still bitten?
If you do get bitten, keep the bite site under salt water and sand. Vinegar on the bite can also help make the venom less active. Do not rinse the bite with fresh water or alcohol, this can actually speed up the spread of the venom!
Read more about jellyfish in Spain