bonaire box jellyfish in May

[DivingKDawg]

My wife and I are planning a dive trip at the end of May and considering Bonaire. I've read a bit about deadly box jellyfish in Bonaire and that gloves are necessary to avoid stings. I don't think they are busiest in May but any advice would be great.

 

[deedeediver]

HI Dawg, I am not sure if you have been to Bonaire before or not. Bonaire does not allow gloves while diving unless you have a written doctors note. I havent seen any box jellies in May. Check CIEE Bonaire to see if they have any additional information or Stinapa. Happy Diving in May.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Box Jellyfish?! I thought their habitat was limited to Australia and Asia. Am I misinformed?

---------- Post added April 22nd, 2015 at 03:28 PM ----------

Aha. Look, I can use Google: New Caribbean species: the Bonaire banded box jellyfish, aka Tamoya ohboya | Green Antilles

Is this what you're referring to?

 

[Steve_C]

Most jelly fish cannot sting through even thin neoprene. Is that true also for the box jellyfish? Argument for at least a dive skin.

 

[jimw]

The BBBJ offers a serious sting, but fortunately can be avoided. They come up from the deep so many days following a full moon so check the full moon for when you visit Bonaire. I think you will find the info in the Tamoya Oboya story above..........We are going in August, so I looked up the full moon date and figured we should NOT see any on our night dives that week. Their 4 tentacles are short and I have simply swam around them--I have also heard people screaming in pain.

Anyway, they tend to show up on night dives attracted to lights onshore or docks, etc. and I've seen them during the swim out or back and in shallow water. If you watch and are covered--there should be less of a problem.

I looked and the story above only has some proof of life info--Google "Bonaire Banded Box Jelly Tamoya Oboya Bud Gillan" and you will fine a 2014 Reef Traveler interview with Dr Gillan the Tamoya Oboya expert of experts!

 

[Doctorfish]

Not a big concern. On night dives, if you are worried about jellyfish, just blow some air out through your reg before you ascend.

Been to Bonaire May, June July and August and never had a problem. Agree with Steve C re a full suit on any dive.
Gloves are a no no on Bonaire.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I learn something new every day. Seems this species wasn't even known until the last couple of decades. Is it becoming more prevalent, or is it just that divers are more numerous and observant these days? I had never heard of box jellyfish outside of Australia. But this is not just the box jelly (BJ) but the "BBBJ"!

 

[wildbill9]

Not a big concern. On night dives, if you are worried about jellyfish, just blow some air out through your reg before you ascend.

Been to Bonaire May, June July and August and never had a problem. Agree with Steve C re a full suit on any dive.
Gloves are a no no on Bonaire.

Ummmm.....did I miss something? Who doesnt blow out on accent? B

 

[drrich2]

The so-called box jellyfish you will find in Bonaire is not what you'd find in Australia. And not all 'sea wasps' in Bonaire are the banded type. I've gotten nailed a bit by the non-banded version. Tonight's the night for Bonaire Sea Wasps! is a thread on that, that discusses the issue more broadly.

Richard.

 

[darook]

I have been there 5 times and have seen one total. It was swimming next to Buddy's dock one morning.