A jellyfish sting in Menorca hurts, but in almost every case it can be treated on the spot with a few simple steps. As a skipper who is in the water every day, here is what to do, what not to do and how to avoid jellyfish.
Going out on a boat? On our private boat trips with a skipper we choose the coves every day depending on the wind and the sea. If a cove has jellyfish, the skipper looks for a cleaner one, and we carry a first aid kit on board.
In short:
- Get out of the water and rinse the area with sea water, never fresh water.
- Don’t rub the skin or put sand on it. Remove any bits of tentacle with tweezers or a card.
- Apply cold wrapped in a cloth or bag for about 15 minutes. If the pain is very strong or you feel unwell, call 112.
What to do if a jellyfish stings you: step by step
- Get out of the water calmly and tell the lifeguard if there is one on the beach.
- Rinse with sea water. Fresh water, from a tap or a bottle, can make the stinging cells that are still on the skin release more venom.
- Remove any tentacles with tweezers, gloves or the edge of a card. Don’t touch them with bare hands.
- Apply cold for about 15 minutes, always wrapped in a cloth or plastic bag, never ice directly on the skin.
- Calm the pain: a pharmacist can recommend a painkiller or an antihistamine cream.
- Keep an eye on it over the next few hours. If redness, swelling or itching gets worse, see a doctor.
What NOT to do
- Don’t rub with a towel, sand or your hands: it spreads the venom.
- Don’t rinse with fresh water.
- Don’t use urine, alcohol or home remedies. They don’t help and can make it worse.
- Don’t put ice directly on the skin.
When to get medical help
Call 112 or go to a health centre if there is difficulty breathing, dizziness, chest pain, a very large affected area, a sting on the face or eyes, or if the person stung is a small child or has allergies.
- Emergencies: 112
- Hospital Mateu Orfila (Mahón): Ronda de Malbúger, 1. Tel. 971 48 70 00
The most common jellyfish in Menorca
- Pelagia noctiluca (mauve stinger): small, pinkish-purple. It is the one that stings most often in the Balearic Islands, and the sting is painful.
- Cotylorhiza tuberculata (fried egg jellyfish): large, yellow with a « yolk » in the middle. Very common at the end of summer, but its sting is mild or not noticeable at all.
- Rhizostoma pulmo (barrel jellyfish): large and whitish with a purple edge. Its sting is usually mild.
- Portuguese man o’ war: a blue float on the surface with very long tentacles. Rare in Menorca, but its sting is serious: don’t touch it, even if it is on the sand.
How to avoid jellyfish in Menorca
- Check the beach flags and lifeguard notices before swimming.
- After several days of wind blowing onshore, jellyfish tend to collect on that coast. The opposite coast is usually cleaner.
- Have a look at the water before jumping in, especially in the first metres.
- A thin swim shirt or long-sleeved lycra helps a lot, especially for children.
Skipper’s tip: the advantage of a boat is that if a cove has jellyfish, we simply move to another. We check the wind every morning and know which coast will be cleaner that day.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rinse a jellyfish sting with fresh water or sea water?
With sea water. Fresh water can make the stinging cells left on the skin release more venom.
Is vinegar good for a jellyfish sting?
Not for all species. With some Mediterranean jellyfish it can make the sting worse, so the safest thing is to rinse with sea water and apply cold.
How long does the pain of a jellyfish sting last?
The strong pain usually lasts from a few minutes to an hour. Redness and itching can last a few days.
Are there many jellyfish in Menorca?
It depends on the year and the wind. Most days there are none, and when they appear they usually collect on the coast the wind is blowing towards.
What do you do on the boat if there are jellyfish?
We change cove. We check the AEMET marine forecast every morning and carry a first aid kit on board.
If you want to enjoy the coves of Menorca with a skipper who chooses the cleanest water every day, check the available dates for the Karnic SL601 or the Beneteau Flyer 7, or write to us on WhatsApp.
