Barrier or stinger nets are placed in the waters off many cairns beaches during the stinger season. Marine stinger information for australia and the great barrier reef. This is not to say you cant go there at that time, but you should be aware of the. Hi all, i am off to hamilton island in february and wanted to go snorkeling in the great barrier reef. Stingers love the tropical summer weather and can be found in the waters around cairns from november to may. This is jellyfish breeding season and many dangerous stingers are found in close to shore so you must either wear a protective stinger suit or. We get a lot of questions from out of town people, mr march said. However, if travelling out to deeper waters, make sure you know of the risks before getting in the water. Stinger season stinger season generally runs from november to may. Hi i will be staying in cairns at the end of february and was planning to do the. Net rollout will commence on friday in the cairns region with the port douglas net set to go in on saturday, weather permitting.
Irukandji stings rise as jellyfish season hangs around longer in. Departing from cairns marlin jetty, you will be whisked away to the aweinspiring and famous great barrier reef, where you will enjoy snorkelling amongst colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life, in two fantastic locations. Nov 09, 2017 from the period of november through may, youll be snorkeling during stinger season. The beaches of cairns are truly breathtaking with glorious stretches of white pearl sands and a bounty of blue stretching to the horizon, yet with the high season sunlight pouring down this is also the time for stingers. Stung by an irukandji jellyfish at the great barrier reef.
Diving the great barrier reef with prodive cairns in a storm and during stinger season. Swimming in the ocean stinger season queensland forum. Blue bottle jellyfish season queensland best pictures. Predominantly a problem along the coast and not usually affecting the great barrier reef, north queenslands marine and estuarine environment is home to many interesting animals, including some harmful jellyfish collectively known as marine stingers. If you book a great barrier reef tour during the stinger season, stinger suits will be handed out on the boat before your dive.
A lot of areas of queenslands set up stinger nets for popular beaches, making swimming a lot safer. In an average season, the eastern region has around four tropical cyclones any tropical cyclone in the eastern region has a one in four chance of crossing the eastern australian coastline. Stingers are of particular concern in tropical australian waters between november to mayjune. Protecting yourself from cairns jellyfish at the beaches and on the reef. These jellyfish pack a punch, with around 80 confirmed deaths since 1883, and countless injuries affecting both tourists and locals. Stinger season cairns and port douglas information. It is the period in the year when dangerous jellyfish are aplenty within northern australia. August 7, 2018 big sting 15 people seek treatment thousands stung in bluebottle jellyfish stinger season cairns and port douglas bluebottle jellyfish surge as in. Bluebottle jellyfish surge as in ons winds stinging.
Hi, was thinking of coming up for a holiday in may and staying in the vicinity of trinity beach, will it still be stinger season and is there anywhere there i can hire suits so. Out of the millions of people days each year in the great barrier reef waters, in a particularly. A lot of people also think they have to go to cairns to see the great barrier reef which is not quite so for the gbr is a series of reefsislands running from far northern queensland right down to several hundred kilometres north of brisbane so if you are looking at cairns because of mainly the gbr, you could get to see it by driving to 400 km. For the 201920 season, there is 40% chance of more than average or 60% chance of fewer than average tropical cyclones in the coral sea region. Tropical north queensland, home to some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet, yep thats right the planet. Stinger season and great barrier reef whitsunday island forum. We are now in stinger season so please ensure you talk to the duty life saver to discuss the stinger situation. Marine stingers box jellyfish queensland beaches australia. This mainly pertains to the irukandji and the box jellyfish, which are more abundant during the summer months. Stinger season cairns and port douglas and stinger season great barrier reef. Best travel time to cairnsavoiding stinger season cairns forum. From the period of november through may, youll be snorkeling during stinger season. Fitzroy island stinger season cairns forum tripadvisor.
January is, indeed, the wet season and stinger deadly jellyfish season for the cairns port douglas area. Stinger season it is good to know that stinger season generally runs during the warmer months of the year, and in the whitsundays this is from october to may during our summer season. Sun sets on a quiet cairns stinger season cairns post. I know most tour companies put you in a scuba suit but. Summer time in cairns brings with it the sweltering heat and high humidity which seems perfect for taking a cooling dip.
During this period, jellyfish are prevalent in the waters around the mainland, islands and have occasionally been found out on the reef. Stinger nets going in today cairns regional council. Briefings are provided on the way to the great barrier reef, giving you the information you need to be informed, and all operators offer guests a range of stinger. Discover all times top stories about cairns on medium. It is recommended that a fullbody lycra suit, or equivalent, be worn to provide a good measure of protection against marine stings, particularly during the stinger season, which generally runs from november to may. These jellyfish prefer the warm, tropical waters that summers on the great barrier reef can bring and its not unusual to see them while you snorkel throughout port douglas. Swimmers should exercise caution in the water during these months, and beaches may be closed if the risk of stingers is great. The summertime wet season in cairns is generally hot and humid, with an average. Fnq beaches closed due to extreme weather cairns post.
Stinger season in cairns taking the plunge stingers or jellyfish as they are more universally known tend to drift to shore. Oct 17, 2017 stinger suits are a great way to protect yourself. Keep an eye on the local weather forecast for cyclone warnings. Nasty aquatic pests that invade the coast line every year. The queensland government provides a number of boating facilities such as boat ramps, pontoons and jetties within the cairns regional council area. Next, well look at another type of stinger that, while very, very rare out at most reef locations, deserves a mention. Pools are as always your safest bet, though if you feel the need to venture out into the ocean, please make sure you swim within flags. From my understanding, even with lycra suits on, their. Stinger and croc information marine stingers are found in the warmer waters of tropical queensland year round with the highest occurrence in stinger season from october to may. Join compass cruises for the best value budget reef adventure in cairns. Some of my boys ages 9, 7, and 5 want to do the snorkeling. Fitzroy island stinger season cairns message board.
A stinger suit is an allover body stocking that can be worn while snorkeling or diving. There are simple precautions that you can take to minimise your risk and swim safely. Incidents involving serious marine stings in this area are becoming more common during the stinger season. Stinger season or jellyfish season is generally between november and may in cairns and port douglas. Does anyone have suggestions on the best snorkeling most colorful, most fish at the great barrier reef that isnt bleached. It is recommended that a fullbody lycra suit, or equivalent, be worn to provide a good measure of protection against marine stings, particularly during the stinger season, which generally runs from november to march. Your plan though does have other potential difficulties for mid march is not really a great time to be in northern australia because of weather, be it cairns or darwin as you would be there at pretty close to what may be the peak of the wet season and so you can expect to get hot humid and wet days with the possibility of severe storms and even. Stinger nets will be installed today monday 4 november at eight cairns regional council beaches, to help protect swimmers against potentially deadly jellyfish stinger season traditionally starts in november across northern australia, and lasts until mayjune. Swimming at beaches is one of the most popular things to do in cairns, simply because there are so many beaches to choose from, many uncrowded. There are no set dates for stinger season but they are more prominent in the summertime wet season. For the current status at the beaches, view surf lifesaving queenslands north queensland marine stinger season update website. We are doing a reef trip with quicksilver in november. The bureau of meteorology has issued a strong wind warning for townsville waters today and that will extend north to cairns tomorrow with 2530 knots expected. All queensland beaches north of town of seventeen seventy near gladstone can attract the marine stingers during the summer months of the year.
If you are used to cold water then you will be fine. For half the year, it is advised to swim in the whitsundays waters with a stinger suit, unless swimming in freshwater. Around auz, we plan to embark on an ultimate roadtrip, buying our own campervan driving a huge circuit around the country, over around 3 months, returning home around midjune 2018. Port douglas jelly fish an email interview by christina james from the cairns holiday specialists with senior marine stinger advisor dr lisaann gershwin curator from the natural sciences queen victoria museum and art gallery in launceston tasmania a discussion on jelly fish and the chances of ever being stung by a jelly fish whilst swimming on. Stinger season normally runs between november and late may. Jellyfish we often receive phone calls from concerned travellers regarding the jellyfish.
So therefore, the further north you go, the longer the season. This means you may get up close with cairns jellyfish. Island day trip, as it is stinger season will it be worth doing it, i realise i will need to wear a stinger. There is a reason why no one is swimming in the waters, at least without proper protection. Donning the stinger suit whilst the stinger nets are out in full swing in many beaches. The marine stinger season will officially begin this weekend as surf life savers begin to roll out the stinger nets. As i said earlier, this is no joke and you must take this seriously. I had heard that cairns port douglass were great, but then saw reports that there has been significant bleaching. If by soon, you mean the next few months then yes its stinger season. May 21, 2018 sun sets on a quiet cairns stinger season. Cairns weather has 2 distinct seasons a warm dry season from april to november and a wet season from november to march with tropical monsoons that includes tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclone seasonal outlook for the coral sea. People who trip to the great barrier reef often visit kewarra beach.
Please remember that during stinger season you must stay in the net and a stinger suit should be worn. Opportunity to travel to cairns for a week or 2 january, february or march 2014. Every year the beach hosts thousands of visitors from around the world. The most notable concern when swimming at beaches in queensland is marine stingers. However, one of the downsides when you live in cairns or are visiting cairns is having to put up with. Stinger nets out in style from the first of november until the haze of may. I know it is stinger season at that time how safe is it to snorkel during this time. Cairns jellyfish information for snorkellers and divers.
I was unfortunate to get stung by one of the worst jellyfish on the planet which gives an excruciating pain, the irukandji. If you are unable to wear a stinger suit, a rash vest is advisable. There are many different kinds and they are usually most prevalent during the cairns jellyfish season, which is generally from november to may. At last count, there were approximately 20 such cairns jellyfish nets in the waters across north queensland. Mar 07, 2018 the bureau of meteorology has issued a strong wind warning for townsville waters today and that will extend north to cairns tomorrow with 2530 knots expected. Mr march said information from resorts and lifeguards kept people aware of the dangers of box jelly fish and irukandji. Due to increased temperatures, there is an increase in marine stingers that can be harmful and potentially deadly. Im a little concerned about the stingers, especially in stinger season. A swimming enclosure located at four mile beach, port douglas is in the water to provide safer swimming conditions during the dangerous marine stinger season. Reef experience is cairns only inclusive day tour to the outer great barrier reef. Cairns reef day tour operators take all necessary precautions to protect their guests from the effects of cairns jellyfish.
While it is not technically stinger season, its always a good idea to swim where lifeguards are watching. Most jellyfish are harmless to man, however certain varieties may cause a serious reaction. Avoiding jellyfish season australia queensland australia. Although they can be seen in parts of the reef all year, some jellyfish significantly increase in number during stinger season, due to the warmer water temperatures.
Its no wonder the cairns region continues to be one of the countrys most visited destinations, given its proximity to some of australias most incredible natural attractions, including the world heritagelisted daintree rainforest and of course, the great barrier reef. Will we not be able to swin in the ocean at places like cairns, port doug, barrier reef, whitsundays, magnetic island due to. Stings from any kind of jellyfish are extremely rare during the socalled stinger season and blue bottles make up the majority of instances out at the reef. The stinger resistant swimming enclosures at local beaches give a high degree of protection against box jellyfish but are not 100 percent stinger proof. There isnt a fixed date for stinger season, but it is usually during the warmer aussie months of november to may. Stings have occurred at all times of the year, however are more prevalent during the months of november to may. Stinger information marine stingers may be present in the waters of tropical queensland year round, with the higher risk season during october may. You are here home living in cairns cairns beaches stinger season swimming at beaches is one of the most popular things to do in cairns, simply because there are so many beaches to choose from, many uncrowded. Great barrier reef snorkeling 1 spence st, cairns, queensland, australia 4870 rated 4. Journey on our fast catamaran to the outer great barrier reef for up to 6 hours of water activities including scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming at 2 reef locations.
Swimming in north east queensland during stinger season. However, one of the downsides when you live in cairns or are visiting cairns is having to put up with stingers. Again, you need to speak with the local lifeguards to be sure. You should never enter the water if the beach is closed. So expect very high humidity and the odd tropical downpour. From november it is sensible to wear stinger suits in the water, as box jellyfish and irukandji the smallest of the box jellyfish family can be deadly. Cairns beaches stinger season cairns life information. Want to visit cairns but not sure when the best time of year is. Its comfortable, flexible and ensures 100% protection from a sting. Hi i will be staying in cairns at the end of february and was planning to do the fitzroy island day trip, as it is stinger season will it be worth doing it, i realise i will need to wear a stinger suit to go in the water for snorkeling and doing sup. Stinger season cairns down under tours down under tours.
There have been clusters at fraser island, there have been clusters at the whitsundays, there have been clusters in cairns region, and stings in. But they may be present in the waters of northern australia. Now we must consider the impact of jellyfish on our enjoyment of the sea, after reading extensively it appears stinger suits are recommend year round. Stinger season and great barrier reef whitsunday island. However they are not alone in these coastal watersnot at least in february to march. The stinger season varies, generally speaking the warmer the water the longer the season.
Hi i am visiting from england in december and i will be driving from brisbane to cairns over the course of 2 weeks. What are my chances of getting stung by an irukandji. Jan 29, 2018 this is my little montage video of my trip to cairns australia with my boyfriend and his family during january 2018. While it is not technically stinger season, its always a good idea to. That being said, jellyfish can be present year round. November to may is therefore termed high season or peak season for marine stingers as they are more active and more numerous during this time. The kewarra beach is located at the coastal suburb of cairns, australia. Best snorkeling great barrier reef that isnt bleached.
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