flip

Thinking of going to Cairns area and Whitsunday islands mid December. Heard there are lots of jellyfish at this time. Suggested we go to Airliebeach to avoid this. Grateful for any feedback

chris_de

Hi

Have a look at this website. A number of beaches have stinger nets I didn't see Airliebeach on the list though.

http://www.qldbeaches.com/stingers.html

Also, have a look at other dangers. At the main entry areas (eg parking places) to each beach you will often see current beach information. This time of the season is simply difficult for swimming.

NickyC

You have to go a lot further south than Airlie Beach to avoid stingers at that time of year. I think the furthest south they reach is around Bundaberg. You'll should be OK out on the reef or on one of the islands - or just stick to swimming pools, instead.

steandleigh

Stinger nets are in place around this time of year on all the Northern beaches of Cairns and remain there until May time. The scientist bods count how many are up at Weipa (where the stinger season begins) and calculate the time it takes for them to swim around the cape and south. Lifeguards are dragging daily up here now.You can swim within the nets without a stinger suit ( or with one if you're feeling scared!) or outside of the nets like countless Aussies we've seen.

Personally, we don't bother at all.

Not too sure about the reef, I've heard they only inhabit coastal waters so you might be ok but best to get an 'official' go ahead rather than go by hearsay.

Del Boy

nah, its a tropical thing, Bundy's fine, just the few bluebottles and brown jellies, no boxies. South of Yeppoon is ok I think. I have seen a few victims being choppered in to Mackay base though from the Whitsundays.

steandleigh

Not to underestimate the bluebottles tho'. A friend of mines son ( 5 years old at the time) was caught by a bluebottle and the blood curdling screams could be heard from Trinity Beach, all the way to Cairns Base Hospital. No major after effects, just huge pain, red welts and fever. ( And of course, a fear of the sea - he was 5 tho').

Del Boy

True...painful but not lifethreatening.

steandleigh

Exactly. Only a minor break from your holiday.

debilloyd

We went to both last Xmas. When we went in any water where Box Jellies were likely, we wore these really flattering smurf like head to toe lycra suits. In Port Douglas, they had a stinger net on the beach and we had no problems swimming inside of it. The lifeguards just advise you to stay away from the edge of the net.

Debs