Of purple and blue jellyfish, sea anemones, devil rays and porcupine fish.

Purple jellyfish in Greece

Increased Numbers of the Purple Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca), Known as the “Stinging Jelly,” Observed in Greek Waters.

The purple jellyfish—Pelagia noctiluca, or just “the stinging jelly”—lives naturally in the Mediterranean Sea. Greek waters have seen them for ages, and their numbers seem to rise and fall in these odd 12-year cycles.

For two or three years, their swarms get dense, then they disappear again. It’s a weird rhythm, but it’s real.

This jellyfish prefers the open sea, sometimes breeding as deep as 1,000 metres. It doesn’t really go for calm bays or shallow coasts when it’s time to reproduce.

People run into it a lot, probably because it’s so common and, well, its sting isn’t exactly pleasant. It’s one of the most abundant jellies in the Mediterranean—hard to miss if you spend time in the water.

Sea currents drive these jellyfish closer to beaches and harbors. Swimmers and fishers spot them most when the currents push them in.

Some folks think warmer seas lure these jellies to shore, but that’s not really true. Warmer water just speeds up their metabolism, so they reproduce faster—and then, naturally, there’s more of them along the coast.

Key points about the purple jellyfish:

• It’s not an invasive species—this jelly’s always been part of the Mediterranean scene.

• It breeds offshore, not in bays or near the coast, unlike some other jellyfish.

• Population spikes come in regular cycles, which can mean sudden swarms.

• Ocean currents decide where they’ll show up along the coast.

• Warmer water speeds up their reproduction, so you get more of them, but it doesn’t “attract” them to shore.

How to Identify It

You’ll spot the purple jellyfish by its pinkish-purple bell, which is umbrella-shaped. Usually, it’s around six centimeters wide, but sometimes it grows as big as 15 centimeters.

Look for eight thin, trailing filaments circling the edge. They can stretch up to two meters—pretty impressive for such a small jelly. There are also four thicker, longer tentacles mixed in.

It’s not always easy to see in the water, especially when it’s deeper. Those long filaments can drift out far, so you might run into them before you even notice the jelly itself.

Just brushing one of those filaments usually gives you a mild sting. The thicker tentacles, though, pack more toxin and hurt a lot more if you touch them.

Quick Facts

Key Points to Remember

• The bell’s color stands out and helps you spot it quickly.
• Those long filaments can reach swimmers before you even see the jellyfish.
• If you just brush a filament, it’s usually a mild sting.
• The main tentacles are the ones you really want to avoid—they hurt more.
• Goggles help—if you want to see and dodge them, wear a pair.

Where Are Most Purple Jellyfish Found?

Every summer, you’ll find purple jellyfish mostly around the Sporades islands, the Pagasitikos Gulf, and the northern Evoikos Gulf. Something about those areas just works for them.

The deep trench near the Sporades goes down about 1,000 meters, which is perfect for their life cycle. Plus, currents between Magnesia and Evia can push them into Pagasitikos or up into northern Evoikos.

Other islands in the Aegean Sea don’t see much of them. Their numbers there are low, maybe even dropping.

Honestly, nobody’s figured out a reliable way to predict exactly when or where these jellyfish will show up. It just depends on nature doing its thing.

Key locations of concentration:

Places like Chalkida and Crete haven’t reported many purple jellyfish this year. The big groups really stick to just a few areas, not all over the Aegean.

They’re more common in summer, when the water’s warmer and they multiply faster. Ocean currents move them along the coast, but they rarely end up far from their favorite spots.

How to Treat a Jellyfish Sting

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If you get stung by a jellyfish, don’t panic—there are a few things you can do right away. If you’re not allergic, some simple first aid usually does the trick.

First, rinse the sting with sea water. That helps wash away the stinging stuff without making things worse. Don’t use fresh water—it can actually make the pain worse by releasing more venom.

Next, take a plastic card and gently scrape off any tentacles or bits stuck to your skin. Go slow and careful so you don’t squeeze out more venom from the cells.

You can mix up a bit of baking soda with sea water and spread it on the sting. Leave it for a couple of minutes; it might help neutralize the toxins.

If it hurts, grab an ice pack or something cold and hold it against the sting for a bit. Just don’t overdo it with the cold.

Whatever you do, skip these:

• Fresh water
• Vinegar
• Sand

They’ll just make things worse or push more venom into your skin.

If you notice trouble breathing, swelling, or serious pain, get medical help right away.

See Jellyfish Locations Live

Wondering where jellyfish are right now in the Greek seas? Swimmers can check an interactive map, which gets updated by people reporting jellyfish sightings as they spot them.

This means you get real-time info on where jellyfish hang out along the coast. Check the map: CLICK HERE

The map’s handy, but it shows more than just jellyfish. Some marks represent other jelly-like sea creatures that might trip up anyone not familiar with what’s what.

For example, a bunch of red marks in the Gulf of Corinth? Not jellyfish—just salps, which are harmless and kind of weird, honestly. Over near Crete, some red dots point to a different jellyfish species, but those don’t sting and aren’t a big deal.

There’s even a blue mark near Thessaloniki for the blue jellyfish. It’s pretty easy to spot in the water, so you can just avoid it if you want.

Monitoring jellyfish helps people plan safer beach days. But the map depends on public reports, so it’s only as accurate as folks’ jellyfish ID skills.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, it’s smart to keep your distance and maybe skip areas with lots of sightings until things clear up. Sometimes, when people start seeing more of a certain jellyfish, it hints at changes in sea temperature or currents.

Live maps like this aren’t perfect, but they do keep beachgoers in the loop.

Source: Creta24

Arrival of the Blue Jellyfish after the Purple One – Key Differences and Where They Are Found

The blue jellyfish and purple jellyfish are back along Greek shores. They look pretty different, and knowing which is which can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Blue Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo):

• It’s bigger, with a dome-shaped bell that ranges from milky white to bright blue.
• The edge of the bell often glows with a purple shimmer.
• Forget thin tentacles—this one has thick, lobed oral arms.
• Its sting is mild, so most people don’t have major issues.
• It does produce mucus, so don’t touch your face if you’ve brushed up against one—swelling isn’t fun.
• People see them most from late June through mid-July.
• You might spot them on popular beaches, but usually not as many as purple jellyfish.

Purple Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca):

• Smaller bell, up to 12 centimetres, with bright spots.
• Colors go from orange-brown to pink and deep purple.
• Tentacles can get crazy long—over 2 metres sometimes.
• The sting packs a punch, more so than the blue jellyfish.
• They’re more common at beaches, especially when summer’s in full swing.

Beaches Where They Are Seen

You’ll find both types turning up at popular Greek tourist beaches. Warm coastal spots attract them during summer, and sometimes their ranges overlap.

It’s good to stay alert, but don’t panic. Updates from marine authorities and local observatories can help you avoid the worst areas.

How to Stay Safe

• Don’t touch jellyfish or swim too close.
• If you get stung by a blue jellyfish, rinse with seawater and don’t rub it.
• For purple jellyfish stings, see a doctor if things get bad.
• The blue jellyfish’s mucus can still irritate your skin or eyes, so be careful even without direct contact.
• Pay attention to beach warnings, especially during peak jellyfish months.

Source: Creta24

Sea Anemones: How to Stay Safe and Treat a Sting

Sea anemones look like little underwater flowers, but they’re actually animals. You’ll usually find them near the shore, stuck to rocks or hiding in seaweed, though some burrow in sand or mud, and a few hitch rides on other sea creatures.

They’re pretty—bright green or purple, mostly—but don’t touch. They won’t chase you, but if you touch one, you’ll probably get stung.

Swimmers and snorkelers should keep their distance, especially near rocks or seaweed. If you’re using a snorkel or mask, watch out for where you put your hands and feet. Kids especially need a warning: those “sea flowers” aren’t as friendly as they look.

Getting stung by a sea anemone usually just irritates your skin. You might feel burning or stinging, see redness, swelling, or a rash, or get itchy for a few hours.

Rarely, people with allergies might get dizzy or have trouble breathing. If that happens, it’s time for a doctor.

If you get stung, don’t rub the spot. That just makes things worse. Rinse with seawater—not freshwater, which somehow makes it sting more.

Also, don’t use your bare hands to clean the sting, or you might spread the toxins.

If you know where sea anemones like to live, you can avoid them. They’re usually in shallow water near rocks, shaded spots, or close to docks.

Just being aware makes a big difference—no one wants a surprise sting from something that looks like a flower.

Source: Creta24

Alert in the Mediterranean over the Arrival of the “Devils of the Sea”

Lately, people have spotted way more giant rays—Mobula mobular (Devilfish), or “Devil of the Sea”—along the Mediterranean coast. Usually, these massive rays stay in deep water, so seeing them washed up on beaches is, well, odd.

There have been about 20 strandings recently, mostly in Spain (14), with 6 each in Italy and France. Scientists honestly aren’t sure what’s going on or why these rays are suddenly showing up so close to shore.

Mobula mobular is the second-biggest ray on the planet. It can stretch up to five metres across and tip the scales at over a tonne. Despite their size, they’re gentle and don’t usually mess with people or hang out near beaches.

So, why are they showing up now? The Mediterranean’s been acting strange lately—currents, temperatures, and migration patterns all seem less predictable than before.

Scientists have a few guesses, but nothing solid. The strandings don’t follow any obvious pattern, which makes it tough to figure out. Maybe it’s environmental changes, maybe human activity, maybe something else—nobody knows yet.

A special team in Spain is now on the case. They’re tracking these rays, trying to figure out what’s driving this, and getting ready in case the strandings keep happening.

Key Facts about the “Devils of the Sea”

What Should People Do?

If a Mobula mobular or any large ray shows up near the shore or washes up, don’t disturb it. These rays are surprisingly fragile and really need professional help.

It’s best to call local marine authorities or a conservation group. They’ll know what to do and can make sure the animal gets proper care and maybe even some study time.

Possible Reasons for the Increased Sightings

• Changes in water temperature and currents
• Altered food supply or prey distribution
• Human impacts like pollution or fishing practices
• Natural behavioral shifts from environmental stress

Source: Creta24

Dead porcupine fish on Karteros beach

Some young people were out swimming at Karteros beach near Heraklion when they stumbled upon something odd. A dead porcupine had washed up on the sand.

The kids dragged the fish out of the water and quickly called over their parents. News of the find spread among the locals.

Porcupinefishs are considered invasive and have been a headache for fishermen for years. They tear up nets and gear, making it harder to get a decent catch.

Even worse, these fish sometimes wander into shallow water and might attack swimmers who aren’t expecting it. That’s a pretty unsettling thought for anyone hoping for a peaceful swim.

Spotting a porcupinefish this close to Karteros beach is worrying, but it’s not exactly shocking anymore. Their numbers keep climbing, and now they’re a real problem for local fishing.

Swimmers have even gotten hurt by porcupinefish or by rabbitfish, another invasive species that’s been causing trouble.

Why are they showing up so much? Warmer sea temperatures seem to be the main culprit. The heat lets these fish move into shallow spots where people like to swim.

So, more folks are running into frogfish while enjoying the water around Heraklion. Not exactly what you want on a summer day.

And it’s not just the fish—jellyfish have been popping up more often along the southern coast, especially near Matala and Kommos beach.

Lots of beachgoers have ended up at local pharmacies, looking for creams or something to soothe the itching and stings from jellyfish encounters.

Summary of Key Points:

Heraklion’s beaches are changing, and honestly, it’s hard not to notice. If you’re heading into the water, maybe double-check for unwelcome visitors—better safe than sorry, right?

Quelle: Creta Live

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