Garie Beach

When do box jelly fish appear on Australian beaches ?

I'm interested in the area around Cairns

Public Comments

1. I think in late spring, like October & November. We were told to avoid that time of year when planning a visit there.
2. I have never seen a box jelly fish on the beach. How ever just off shore they appear when the water is warmer. The interesting thing about box jellies isn't the fact that they can kill you. Its the fact that they sleep 16 hrs a day. They lay on the bottom and go catatonic. This is after 3 pm. so if your that worried about them, swim after 3 pm and you will be fine. This was discovered only a few years ago and it is one phenomenon I have witnessed in 20 years of diving. The iirikanji jellyfish will kill you as well. They are very small and there is no real season for them. I have seen them as far south as Nth stradbroke Island and it was mid june. There is always jellies, and sharks and deadlies in our ocean. Thats not a reason to stay out of the water. If you let your fears run away with you then you are not going to have a good day at the beach. Just look for the signs that warn you when they are in the area, swim at a patrolled beach, carry white vinegar, and check the tide line on the beach before you swim. If there are any stingers being blown onshore than they will be on the tide line. Box jellies do not wash up often at all, but blue bottles and blubbers and other stinging plankton will warn you that the conditions are not favourable.