USVI-On-Line

From Reef Check BVI: WARNING!! BOX JELLYFISH have been sighted in The BIGHT and the CAVES at NORMAN Island today. VISAR said they have also been seen them from Virgin Gorda all the way down the channel. We personally saw dozens at the beach at PIRATES. They are 3 - 4 inches long, not including tentacles and very very difficult to see. Please be cautious when swimming or snorkeling. Captain O'Donnell, S/Y Sea Chateau

Not good news but I've read that while definitely something to avoid the Caribbean box jellyfish is not the same as the deadly Australian box jellyfish. Can anyone confirm or refute. Thanks.

We were at Salt Pond Bay today, and I felt a sting on my arm. Not a minute later, my daughter pointed to a small, clear jellyfish. It did not leave a mark, and it did not hurt very much and does not hurt at all now.

I am guessing that the jellyfish that are present are the sea wasps (Carybdea alata, according to my reef guide). They are in the box jellyfish Order, but not as terribly toxic as the horrible Australian box jellyfish, which can be fatal if you run into one.

I was stung a couple of years ago at Haulover North by what I was told was broken up sea wasp tentacles--awful--you could not really see anything in the water but I got stung all over my face and on my hands and wrists, as well as the back of my neck. John was stung too. I got raised welts and it was very painful. It was especially bad because it happened a ways from shore. I will say that applying vinegar helped a lot! I had marks for a day or two but the pain only lasted a couple of hours after I started soaking the welts in vinegar.