Plan your Jellyfish sting free 2022 Hawaii vacation now. Keep these tips in mind before booking cheap flights to Hawaii.
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146 thoughts on “Hawaii Jellyfish Sting Warnings | Important For Your 2022 Vacation”
Hi I visited Hawaii last year. When I went to a beach that was kinda sketchy I was stung by a man o’ war. Though I was not allergic I still was all swollen. I went to a place right across the street called the ranch they were super kind but they told us to pour cold clean water on it. People say that you should not put clean/clear water on it is that true or is it something people just say?
Last night I had a dream of being stung by a jellyfish and I’m really scared and I know that it’s not going to happen
About 30 min ago, a family got stung by jelly fish over at the Kolina Lagoon at Aulani.
Aloha ..my mom and dad and i were at Kaaawa walking and playing on the beach, it was about 1962 or ’63 I was around 4 or 5 mom stepped on a man o’ war jellyfish her breathing became almost non existent, the tentacles wraped all around her leg so my dad peed all over her leg, well that released the grip but did nothing for her breathing, I was so scared my mom was dying right before my eyes, we managed to get her to the car and sped off to the area Fire Dept, one of the firemen said to put her under that tower they have (its still there by the way💖) they did that and dumped the ice cold water all over her ..well she took in this huge!! breath of air – a gasp like unreal man! and was again breathing and not all blue in colour…my mom had been saved by the firemen and that suggestion it may shock her back to life! Mahalos to those firemen🌴🌴👍👍💖
John Ambrose
My son got stung once in Florida. The lifeguards told us to make a paste using alcohol and meat tenderizer. We did that, and it seemed to relieve the pain. Thank you for giving tourists a warning. We would have appreciated a heads up.
Our 4 year old was stung at Punaluu. She was just swimming in shallow water and started saying…. ouch ouch ouch. A dead (maybe) Manowar was floating in the water and had touched her ams and legs. She has red lashes all over. We peeled the stringy blue tentacles off and quickly applied Doterra Lavender essential oil and after about an hour and a couple applications she was feeling pretty good. The red marks remained for a few days but she said it didn’t hurt. Needless to say she was reluctant to get bag in the ocean!
Just saw a man of war in the water just off shore on Kahekili beach here in Maui. Needless to say I got back on shore and not going back in there today.
Tonight around 7:45 pm my daughter was stung by a jellyfish on her right ankle. I got help from a staff member who immediately put vinegar drenched paper towels in her legs and ankle. It took about an hour to be less painful and then had her take a bath. She’s doing better and seems to have no itching just was really painful for her for a bit. We are at Waipouli Beavh Resort, Kauai, today is Friday August 11th.
Hello! I am traveling to Hawaii on Thursday, July 27th. Do you have a percent of getting stung? How often do people die from stings?
I’m not a hawaii’n local but i know a lot about jellyfish and have been stung a few times. People don’t usually die from stings unless they are box or man o war jellyfish which are very uncommon/rare in hawaii. usually you will only get a nasty sting which is quite bearable for most so don’t panic if stung. I’m in hawaii right now and so far no jellyfish!
Ive been in the island for six years I haven’t seen one person die from a sting but on the other hand some can get really bad and you may have to go to the hospital but I’ve been stung and I just sat it out but people rarely get stung by jelly fish here so I don’t think you have anything to worry about. And if you get stung just don’t panic find a life gard and you should be good and just have fun!
I was just stung by a jellyfish while kayaking to the Kaneohe sanbar (7/17/17). I must have scooped it up with my paddle and the dang thing landed on top of my leg. I had no choice but to grab it off me but the tenticles wrapped around my hands and arms. That was the most intense burning and stinging I’ve ever felt. Here I am 6 hours later and I’m still in intense pain. 🙁
I was stung last night in Hawaii, just outside the Sheraton while doing the Manta Ray dive in open waters around 930pm. 7/10/17 My left hand was stung and the pain traveled up my whole arm. Nobody i was with seemed to believe me when i said my hand stung but i had a swillen hand and welts. The crew i was with has vinegar but it didnt seem to help. The pain is gone now. 12 hours later.
My son got stung today at Polo Beach. The hotel’s beach station had vinegar on hand and ready. (Fairmont Kea Lani) Even though we weren’t staying there, the staff was super friendly and helpful.
I’ve lived in Honolulu for six years, swim regularly at a beach near Diamond Head. I always check jellyfish Hawaii (aquarium calendar) for days when jellies are in. If you’re visiting try to book your trip avoiding the monthly influx — usually lasts four days. Good luck and enjoy. Aloha 🌴
Good day
We are traveling for the first time landing March 23. We never thought to think about these little critters or even any other potential dangers. I’m not a risk taker and the idea of being stung by a bee scares me so this is freaking me out ! According to the calendar there will be an infestation the day we land. This would be the last day of the infestation. Any and all advice is great…thank you
Hi Melissa.
We’ve given all the suggestions we know of. Ask a lifeguard before going in the water and be prepared to avoid south shore beaches during those dates.
Aloha.
Today my 12 year old daughter was stung by a Man o War while snorkeling off Ka’anapali beach. She did not have any allergic reaction but it left a long tentacle burn mark across her hand. Hotel staff reacted qucikly. Soaked it in hot water, removed the tentacles, and she continued normal activity all day. Hotel staff said they were seeing more stings as the moon was nearly full. She is fine this evening, just slight itching.
Hi! I live on Oahu and was stung by a box jellyfish while swimming, about 100 yards out, on the west side where there were no lifegaurds. It wrapped around my mouth, down my chin, neck, and onto my back! I had a pretty bad reaction and by the time I reached the beach I was having trouble breathing, violent shaking, etc. My sister was quick to get benadryl down my throat, we really struggled with it though! Emergency room put hot cloths on the sting to ease my pain which helped a TON. Doctor said if it ever happens again and I can’t swallow a pill, to break the capsule open, and put the powder/liquid under my tongue. Good to know for the future! Thought I would share with others what helped me! I always keep benadryl, vinegar, and a product called “Sting no more” in my car. Those have helped with the Man-of-War jelly stings also! 🙂
Thank you for this very helpful information!
Many years ago, I took a charter snorkeling trip that brought us out from Ala Moana beach in Waikiki. While snorkling, I was stung by a jellyfish on the back of my thigh, right under my butt cheek! I went back on the boat and was given some ice for it. Within MINUTES things went very bad. I went into full blown anaphylactic shock and couldn’t breathe and was thrashing all over. I could feel it invading my entire body. The boat put the sails down, put the engines on, while calling the paramedics to meet at the dock. My temperature was dangerously low in the ER where I was given medicine to reverse the reaction. The boat owners had NOTHING on board to remedy a situation like this (hopefully they learned from this). I’ve never been so scared to die! My son and I are going to Kauai in January — I want to take him snorkeling so I am being very paranoid and precautionary to make sure I snorkel in a full body wetsuit and make sure the boat owners are trained and prepared for an emergency like this. If you go on such an expedition, I would advise doing the same. Obviously in advance there is no way to know if this would happen to YOU or YOUR KIDS so be prepared!
While visiting Australia’s beaches in Queensland, I noticed
2-liter bottles of vinegar placed along the beaches every few yards. As a Hawaii resident I’d love to see this here or make certain that every lifeguard stand has a supply of vinegar
Is this as much of a problem in open waters (areas like Molokini) or is it confined closer to shore?
Hi Jeff.
We have heard of problems off shore although more than not we hear about beach related.
Aloha.
Just got stung at Palauea beach on Maui. Not within those most common dates. Small jelly fish with blue edge. Had long fishing line tentacles. We thought we were walking through fishing line till we grabbed it and realized our legs and hands were burning. Just FYI
those dates above are for 2017
I distribute the World’s Only Jellyfish/Man-o-war Sting preventive FDA approved and patented Sunscreen for Hawaii and Guam. Refer to Guy Hagi’s Pacific Pulse on 9/ 22 and my full youtube video Safesea jellyfish at Waikiki. It is sold in waikiki now. Mahalo. Wink
Wish I had consulted this site before my Hawaiian visit! I booked a trip to swim with the manta rays last night in Kohana, on the Big Island and was stung badly by a box jellyfish. I have sting marks on my face, neck, chest and arms. Have tried hot baths, Benadryl, neosporin and pain killer. Anyone have advice on what else I can do? The sting marks alternate between burning, stinging, and itching. Do I need to worry about scarring?
Hi Drea.
We don’t have any further advise beyond what we’ve tried and others have suggested. Hope you heal up soon and that your memories will more about the manta rays than about the jellyfish. We have also done that near the old Kona airport and it was incredible.
Aloha.
It might be a good idea to post something about the difference between regular and box jelly fish and man o’war as the treatments for one are very different for the other. You won’t want to exacerbate an already bad situation by applying the wrong treatment as well as either hot water-when it should be cold, and vice versa.
My son was stung severely on his abdomen arms legs and feet. After the initial sting, he rubbed it when he was trying to wash it off and spread it around further. I believe the vinegar works, but my son’s discomfort was severe. He took benadryl and the only thing that alleviated his pain was lavender essential oils or a blend of lavender chamomile massage oil from bath and body Works. My husband had a small sting the week before that went untreated and he ended up with a scar. My son’s marks were gone in a week with this treatment.
I got stung today at black sand beach (beautify btw) in Hana!!! Did it ever hurt. I think I was the only one in the bay. Local said to pee in it! Then we got vinegar from restaurant!!!
Do you recommend taking beach walks or playing on the sand during jelly fish infestation?
Hi Melissa,
As long as you are careful.
Aloha.
I was unaware of the risk and got stung on the morning of May 31 at Waikiki. It was not a pleasant experience. The discomfort lasted almost eight hours. At first I thought I was stung all over my body, but know now that it was actually just a couple of spots. A surf
I hope you post these dates annually. I arrange my travel to avoid being on the islands 10 days following a full moon. So far, this has been a successful plan!
My wife was stung on April 29th 2016 in Waimanalo beach, Oahu, few meters from the shore. The stings were all around her hands, arms and in her back. I helped her to get out of the water and tried to take out the stings as I could. She couldnt move her hands normally. The lifeguard came inmediatly, sprayed her with vinager and told her to take a hot shower. He explained her that in about 20 minutes the pain should start to reduce and in a couple of hours she would be fine. It took us about 40 minutes to arrive to the hotel, so it was a very painful trip for her until she was able to get the hot shower. That worked inmediatly but the painful sensation remained for a couple hours more.
Hi. Thanks for the information! And special thanks for including relief tips! I was stung once in Oahu, I think a small one, but wow! Those little suckers can pack a punch. We are traveling to Maui next week and I was wondering… What about Beginning of April? I noticed all months except April. I believe there’s a full moon on March 23.
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards. 🙂
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for pointing that out. We’ve updated the March/April caution dates.
Aloha.
I got stung at Kapalua Bay Maui, this afternoon on 3/2/16. I didn’t see the jelly fish but left the water after I felt a pricking feeling on my shoulder. It feels like a whole bunch of needles is poking in one spot. And it does continue to be painful. The lifeguard did not have vinegar. He suggested rubbing sand onto the spot. That actually felt better but only momentarily. I did not wash off with fresh water. Only salt water. So that sounded like a benefit.
The news stations should post and beaches should post these dates. Mine fell right into the predicted dates on this site.
I was stung around 2:00 pm February 5, 2016 while snorkeling on the south side of Po’olenalena Beach. We were about 100 yards offshore on the south end of the beach. Once I got back to shore I rinsed in cold water (I know now I shouldn’t have) and the pain continued to increase. By the time we found a place to purchase white vinegar the pain was deep and severe, I was nauseated. Rinsing the sting site with vinegar was helpful. It didn’t take the pain away but it lessened it. A hot shower helped with pain but it intensified when I got out. Rinsing with vinegar again decreased the pain somewhat. Advil helped with pain. By 7:00 the next morning nearly all the pain was gone to the point that I was fine to swim and snorkel again. It was a surprise, my family has come to Maui many times and we snorkel and swim for hours each day. None of us have been stung before.
Our 3 year old daughter was stung by a jellyfish today (Jan 31, 2016) at Kamole 2 beach on Maui, just sitting right where the water barely reaches the sand. Poor girl was sitting there and started suddenly screaming in pain. Had her stand up and there was a quarter sized jellyfish stuck to her butt cheek. Hubby got it off and got stung too but she must have reached for it because it got both her hands too. Thankfully we went over to Scuba Shack across the street and the girl there poured vinegar on it, which seemed to help the swelling quite a bit pretty fast. GAve her some children’s ibuprofin and about 2 hours later she finally seemed to be feeling better. Hit her while at dinner tonight again though. Really put a damper on day 1 of vacation! Don’t like seeing that we can expect that the next few days possibly! May take a few pool days just to try to avoid it so she doesn’t get it again. Poor baby.
Signs were up warning at Waikiki Dec 3-8th we were there and also went up to Wainae on dolphin snorkel too…someone I got a small sting on my leg above knee….never felt the pain, just had a round like a nickel size issue on my leg…came home and started to apply hydrogen peroxide and fissed up some …..then read about the vinagar, applied some of that…mainly the peroxide to kill the bacteria and then used neosporin antibiotic, anti scar cream….and that helped, can still see the spot, but getting better…I will be watching out for those warnings better and checking out the time schedule before next trip to Oahu…cause I love to live in the ocean there
My husband was stung on Christmas day by a jelly fish. He was snorkeling at Punaluu on Oahu. He didn’t even see the one that stung him. Felt a strong stinging and ran out of the water. He has the marks now from his belly up his chest around his shoulder and down his back. Over a week later and you can still see it. Put vinegar on it immediately and soothed the stinging.
Just went swimming on Mahalap’u Beach on Kauai. It was a LONG like back after my son was stung by a blue jelly. Dec. 20, 2015
Hi Carrie,
Sorry to hear that. What seems most unusual is the timing inasmuch as jelly fish aren’t expected for another two weeks.
Aloha.
We were in Ka’anapali for 10 days in early November 2015. I spent a lot of each day in the water snorkelling and swimming, both along Ka’anapali Beach and at Kahekili Beach,including the “jellyfish days”. Lots of people in the water; I didn’t get stung, and I didn’t see anyone else get stung, so I guess the risk is pretty low. Probably a good idea to bring vinegar with you to the beach, just in case.
Never hurts to walk the beach you are going to swim/snorkel and look for jellyfish on the sand. The PMW will show bits of blue amid a clear jelly body. Don’t go in if you find any of these and be sure to warn others on the beach. If it is a lifeguarded beach, be sure to let them know so they can put up signs. I have come across these quite a few times as stated in this article- about a week after a full moon- and made sure everyone was warned. If they are on the beach, they are in the water, so take a few moments to check. Could save a vacation!
I got stung by a Portuguese Man o’ War last night off the coast by the Sheridan hotel while watching the night Manta Rays. It wrapped around my right arm and left leg. The diver in the water with us pulled me to the boat and the captain was working to locate the PMOW. He spotted it and 2 more and ordered everyone out of the water. It was searing pain that almost made me pass out. One of the crew had me flush out the stings with warm water for about 5 minutes. That helped ease the pain. Today they are red welts that don’t hurt much. But hey, the Manta Rays were spectacular and beautiful! I don’t regret going 🙂
My grandma was stung today on Kailua beach. I saw a different jellyfish in the water and I had no idea what it was. She got stung while boogie boarding. She want back to the sand and we all went back in with her. Before that we had never seen one on the beach. Then, after that we saw the jellyfish that stung her and a few other. We bought some medicine or something from the store.
My wife and I are traveling to Hawaii from Sept 25 through Oct 12. We will likely be doing some snorkeling and maybe a dive near Waikiki on Oct 1st or 2nd. Then, we are already booked to go on two dives in Maui ( Molokini Crater and Turtle Arches ) on Oct 5th and then two in Kona on Oct 7th. Should we be concerned with jellyfish in these locations and on these dates?
Are there any extra precautions that we should take ( I’m definitely wearing a long sleeve rash guard now ) or is there anything that we should pack in our dive bag to potentially help if we do get stung? ( please do not tell me to put a bottle of pee in my bag )
Thanks!
W
Hi Wilks,
Probably best to check with the tour operators regarding Jellyfish although it is highly unlikely.
Aloha.
Went snorkeling on September 7th in Maui and Lanai. Several people on the tour were stung by jellyfish near the west coast of Maui. After the trip I looked up jellyfish in Hawaii and the dates mached up for jellyfish arrival. Nobody was seriously injured, good news, as we were all pulled out of the water.
My niece was stung by Portuguese Man O’War at Bellows Beach Aug.1. The beach is known for them, however it would have been nice to have extra notice that day (perhaps a board with number of stings next to warning sign that is always up), because according to the lifeguard, hers was the 16th that day. Scraped with credit card and vinegar applied. Jellyfish spray was applied after they were told it was on beach bag. She refused to go in the water the remainder of her vacation. Spotted a PMOW floating in Kaneohe Bay also.