Lorraine Williamson
The August heatwave has brought more than warm seas and crowded beaches to Spain’s holiday hotspots. From the sunlit shallows of Ibiza to the surf of Galicia, swimmers are finding themselves sharing the water with a growing number of jellyfish.
Lifeguards are posting warnings, beachgoers are checking apps before wading in, and marine scientists are sounding the alarm over changes to the sea’s natural rhythm.
Climate change fuels unpredictable blooms
Until recently, jellyfish arrivals followed familiar seasonal patterns. But this year, oceanographers say those timelines have shifted. In the Mediterranean, they appeared weeks earlier than expected, while on the Atlantic coast they showed up late — and in greater numbers. Warmer seas, altered currents, and fewer predators are all playing a part.
“The old rules no longer apply,” says Josep María Gili, a marine biologist who studies jellyfish distribution. “We are seeing patterns that make prediction extremely difficult.”
The ‘fried egg’ visitor
Among the most common sightings is the Cotylorhiza tuberculata, nicknamed the “fried egg” jellyfish for its sunny yellow centre and smooth, rounded cap. It is a native species, and unlike some of its relatives, its sting is mild — more irritation than injury. Even so, officials urge caution: numbers are higher than in previous years, and they are appearing in popular swimming areas earlier in the season.
Where the hotspots are now
This summer’s bloom has stretched along both coasts. In the south, jellyfish have been spotted off Málaga, Marbella and Almería, and inside Murcia’s Mar Menor lagoon. The Costa Blanca has seen swarms near Alicante and Valencia. Farther north, Catalonia’s beaches at Badalona and Mataró have reported sightings, while in the Balearics, swimmers at Ibiza’s Cala Nova and Cala Martina, Mallorca’s Caló de Sant Antoni and Cala Figuera, and several Menorca coves have all shared the water with them. In Galicia, on the Atlantic side, some counts suggest double last year’s numbers.
Staying safe in the sea
Authorities advise checking local alerts or apps like MedusApp before heading out. On many Spanish beaches, a purple warning flag is raised when jellyfish are present, signalling swimmers to take extra care or avoid the water altogether. If stung, leave the water, rinse the area with seawater, and remove any tentacles with tweezers or a stiff card. Avoid fresh water, vinegar or alcohol unless recommended by a medical professional. A cold compress can ease discomfort, but swelling, breathing problems or other severe symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Jellyfish on Spanish beaches and what you should know
A vital part of the ecosystem
Though they can spoil a swim, jellyfish also play a key role in the marine food chain. Their drifting bells provide shelter for young fish and serve as a meal for turtles and other predators. Conservationists warn against removing or harming them, stressing their importance to healthy seas.
What this means for the future
With weather extremes becoming more common, scientists expect jellyfish blooms to remain unpredictable — and possibly more frequent. For Spain’s beachgoers, it means adapting: keeping watch for warnings, swimming with awareness, and recognising that these blooms are another sign of how climate change is reshaping the coasts.
Source: La Razon