Plan a “jellyfish sting free” Hawaii vacation with our updated 2021 calendar of Hawaii Jellyfish sting warning dates and suggestions. You may want to keep this information handy when you are looking for cheap flights to Hawaii.
Jellyfish are fascinating and are themselves comprised of nearly 95% water. Their needle-like stingers are located on their tentacles. When activated, the stinger shoots into the victim, releasing the venom. This all happens in a millionth of a second.
Jellyfish Sting Tips
Location. South facing Hawaii beaches are most impacted by jellyfish eight days after a full moon. These include Waikiki, Ala Moana Beach Park, Hanauma Bay, and the Waianae Coast on Oahu. Kauai can have warning signs posted at Poipu Beach and even Salt Pond. Maui beaches and Big Island beaches are also affected but typically have fewer problems.
Timing and awareness. You’ll usually find jellyfish on impacted beaches eight days following a full moon. The problem can persist for three days. If you’re here during a jellyfish invasion, talk to the lifeguard for advice. Also, check the beach to see if any jellyfish are present on the sand.
If you are stung, first, you’ll find some good news below. There is much ongoing research in jellyfish stings, and the University of Hawaii has developed a topical treatment in the works. Jellyfish have long been a problem in Hawaii, and they only seem to be getting worse here and globally.
Jellyfish in Hawaii. Here in the islands, jellyfish types seen include the box, moon, and lagoon varieties.
2021 Hawaii Jellyfish Sting Warning Dates
While a jellyfish sting can happen at other times, these are the most likely dates when problems may occur. Also, be on alert the days immediately preceding and following the caution dates.
2021
February 5 to 7
March 6 to 8
April 5 to 7
May 4 to 6
June 3 to 5
July 2 to 4
August 1 to 2, 30 to 31
September 1, 28 to 30
October 28 to 30
November 26 to 28
December 26 to 28
Jellyfish Treatments and Prevention
Searching online will yield a wide range of suggestions for what to do in the event of a jellyfish sting. Some of the best suggestions we’ve seen include the following:
1. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if in shock or if you have any complications.
2. Rinse the site with vinegar to deactivate the toxins and remove the remaining tentacles and nematocysts. Others say to wash the area with seawater to deactivate stinging cells. Or you can remove tentacles by scraping them with a credit card or other plastic object.
3. Use hot water or ice packs to reduce the pain duration and intensity. Others suggest after removing the tentacles, immerse the affected arm or leg in hot water of 104 to 113°F for at least twenty minutes. If other body parts are impacted, a hot shower can be used instead.
4. Friends recommend, and we have used After Bite itch eraser for years
5. Read over 100 comments below for others’ recommendations.
Another Point of View From Mayo Clinic.
1. Carefully pluck visible tentacles with fine tweezers.
2. Soak the skin in hot water. Use water that’s 110 to 113 F (43 to 45 C). If a thermometer isn’t available, test the water on an uninjured person’s hand or elbow — it should feel hot, not scalding. Keep the affected skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20 to 45 minutes.
3. Avoid the following: scraping out stingers, rinsing with seawater, rinsing with human urine, rinsing with fresh water, applying meat tenderizer, applying alcohol, ethanol, or ammonia, rubbing with a towel, or applying pressure bandages.
Have you been stung by a box jellyfish, and if so, what treatment has been most beneficial?
Beat of Hawaii photo at Waikiki Beach.
Updated 1/19/21.
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harper says
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?
Kennedy says
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
Cindy says
About 30 min ago, a family got stung by jelly fish over at the Kolina Lagoon at Aulani.
John A says
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
Pamela says
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.
Amy says
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!
Jeff says
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.
Sarrah says
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.
Misty says
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?
Kris C says
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!
Drake says
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!
Angie D says
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. 🙁
Chelsea H says
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.
Gena says
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.
Jan says
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 🌴
Melissa says
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
Beat of Hawaii says
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.
Mischelle says
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.
Carlyn C says
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! 🙂
Dorian Williamson says
Thank you for this very helpful information!
Sandra says
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!
Catherine says
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
Jeff says
Is this as much of a problem in open waters (areas like Molokini) or is it confined closer to shore?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jeff.
We have heard of problems off shore although more than not we hear about beach related.
Aloha.
Anela says
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
richard says
those dates above are for 2017