Croatia is rich in a wealth of history and architectural beauty, and there’s no denying that photos of the crystal blue beaches entice tourists to the country every year. Should one want to venture into Croatian waters, one might worry about what’s looming under the sea. Are there lots of jellyfish in Croatia, or any other dangerous sea creatures?
As beautiful as Croatian waters are, one must be careful going in as there are lots of jellyfish in the water. In fact, some of the largest jellyfish that some experts have seen were found swimming around in the country much more often than they used to. Since jellyfish are good at hiding and sneaking, you should exercise some caution when heading to a Croatian beach.
This doesn’t mean you should stray from your desire to visit Croatia, as it’s a very lovely country to explore.
Jellyfish can be found within the Adriatic Sea which runs along Croatia among other European countries. The sea sees a lot of wind and the subsequent waves can push the jellyfish all over the place. It’s not uncommon to see some of these fish hanging out along the shores after an especially strong current pushes them in that direction.
Even though there are jellyfish present in Croatian waters, you’re not guaranteed to even encounter one if you spend time on the beach. There are, unfortunately, other sea creatures that are much more dangerous than jellyfish in the waters, though you may never encounter those either.
Are The Jellyfish In Croatia Poisonous?
Most jellyfish are not inherently poisonous to humans, and they typically don’t swarm humans when they notice them in the water. In fact, jellyfish are actually terrible swimmers. They typically only get close to humans by happenstance due to the motion of the water.
There are some types of jellyfish that do produce lethal stings, such as box jellyfish. This jellyfish is a very rare sight outside of Australia, and there are no known box jellyfish living in Croatian waters.
Do The Jellyfish In Croatia Sting?
Jellyfish in Croatia are stingers, and their sting is known to hurt a lot. Some people are allergic to jellyfish stings, but otherwise, they will only end up causing you some distress. That said, if you ever find yourself stung by a jellyfish, you should seek out medical assistance when you can.
If you happen to be in the water with jellyfish and brush up against their tentacles, there are millions of stingers inside and multiple stingers can penetrate your skin. You’ll likely feel sharp pain very shortly after. It’s also possible that you could experience shortness of breath and might even pass out, so you should get out of the water immediately and get help.
Of course, if you notice any signs saying that you should stay out of the water, be sure to abide by them. Occasionally you might see some kind of alert if there have been certain creatures spotted close to shore or if the weather is going to be turbulent that day.
If the thought of swimming in the Adriatic Sea makes you nervous because of jellyfish or other sea creatures, you’ll be pleased to know that Croatia offers a plethora of other swimming destinations that aren’t sourced from this sea. It happens to be one of the top countries for swimming enthusiasts in Europe for a reason; you have a lot of options.
How Clean Is The Sea In Croatia?
Croatian waters are known for being in pristine condition, especially the Adriatic Sea. The temperature of the waters also tends to remain very comfortable throughout the year, making it an enjoyable experience for all kinds of swimmers. Overall, the waters tend to remain calm, so they are easy to swim in or even just wade in.
The Adriatic Sea water gets tested pretty frequently by the European Environment Agency, which aims to detect any signs of pollutants that can be harmful to people or the environment at large. The tests come back free of anything alarming in any large enough quantity to do any potential damage to humans who want to go swimming while in Croatia.
How To Swim In Croatian Waters Safely
It is highly recommended that you bring water shoes to the beach and wear them into the water. Not only can this help you avoid getting a bad jellyfish sting by accidentally stepping on one – which happens more than you might think – but it can also make walking into the water much easier on the bottom of your feet.
Even if you only want to dip your toes in the water, water shoes are a very good idea. It’s also advisable to wear a wetsuit if you’re planning on doing a lot of swimming or want to go on any dives. The material of a good quality wetsuit can protect your skin from the tentacles of a jellyfish where all their stingers are located.
Final Thoughts
Croatia does have its fair share of jellyfish floating through the water, but that doesn’t mean you will encounter one if you go into the water. The water is kept in very good condition and is monitored, and you’ll be warned about getting into the water if there are identified danger of encountering a jellyfish.
If you do manage to come into contact with a jellyfish in Croatia, do your best to avoid panicking and get help as soon as you’re able to. You’re likely going to be uncomfortable as your stings heal, but it’s very unlikely that a jellyfish will cause you permanent harm.
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