Attention holidaymakers! Toxic Portuguese galley blocks beach in Menorca

Attention holidaymakers! Toxic Portuguese galley blocks beach in Menorca

On June 6, 2025, a Portuguese galley (Physalia physalis) was spotted on the beach at Cala en Porter in Menorca, putting local vacationers on alert. Considered one of the most venomous species in the world, this jellyfish has tentacles that can grow up to 50 meters long, posing a serious risk to swimmers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as authorities responded immediately and closed the beach when a vacationer spotted the jellyfish and alerted lifeguards. These ensured that the animal was safely taken out of the water and secured in a bucket of water. The specimen measured about 15 centimeters.

The Portuguese galley belongs to the genus of state jellyfish and, despite its dangerous nature, has recently been spotted repeatedly in the Mediterranean. In recent years there have been repeated temporary swimming closures in the Balearic Islands due to such sightings. This species of jellyfish is especially common in the warmer months, from May to October, making it a constant threat to summer vacationers looking to relax in the Mediterranean. Their presence can vary greatly and depends on various factors, including water temperature and sea conditions.

Health risks of the Portuguese galley

The tentacles of this dangerous jellyfish can not only cause severe pain and skin irritation, but can also lead to more serious health problems. Allergy sufferers or sensitive people can also experience muscle cramps, breathing problems and heart problems, and in rare cases, contact with the toxic stinging cells can even be fatal. This makes it all the more important to provide first aid if a sting occurs. Recommendations include:

• Tentakelreste vorsichtig mit einer Pinzette oder einem harten Gegenstand entfernen.
• Die betroffene Hautstelle nicht mit einem Handtuch abreiben.
• Badebekleidung auf Tentakelreste überprüfen.
• Die betroffene Hautstelle mit Salzwasser abspülen (kein Süßwasser verwenden).
• Die Stelle mit Eiswürfeln, die in ein Tuch gewickelt sind, kühlen.
• Bei schweren Reaktionen ärztliche Hilfe in Anspruch nehmen.

These precautions are especially important because not only can jellyfish be dangerous, but they are also commonly found in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean. In addition to the Portuguese galley, there are a variety of other jellyfish species in the region, including the glowing jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca), which is also known to be a very painful swimmer. The abundance of jellyfish can fluctuate greatly, making timely information and attention from the authorities essential.

Given the dangers posed by jellyfish, holidaymakers in the Mediterranean should exercise caution and inform themselves about local conditions and potential risks. In particular, children should avoid any contact with jellyfish, including dead specimens. Information about jellyfish and their abundance can be obtained from local authorities or special apps such as the Ibiza Jellyfish app to make your stay at the beach safer.