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Catherine Lane

Jellyfish Stings At North and South Carolina Beaches and How To Avoid Them

Author Catherine Lane

It’s that time of year. Time to make those summer plans to head to the coast. Don’t forget your sunscreen, umbrella and bathing suits. And don’t forget your awareness. Here’s some information on jellyfish stings at North and South Carolina beaches and how to avoid them.

Jellyfish Stings At North and South Carolina Beaches

Ah yes, before we get into the facts and figures. I have a personal story. My husband and I were in Surfside Beach, South Carolina a few years ago and I was stung by a jellyfish or perhaps a Portuguese Man-Of-War. Now, here is the part I’m not proud of but it may help you.

My Close Encounter With A Jellyfish

Jellyfish Stings In North and South Carolina and How To Avoid Them
(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

We were chest deep in water in July and the waters were very warm. Prime time for jellyfish stings on North and South Carolina beaches. All the sudden I felt something bump my lower leg. I honestly thought it was a shark. My husband and I go running, as fast as we could in water, towards the beach. When I got out I had welt marks on my right calf. They were red and inflamed. I knew it was some sort of creature in the jellyfish family. Luckily we located a lifeguard and he sprayed vinegar water on it which immediately took away the sting.

How Common Are They?

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, jelly fish and their cousin the Portuguese Man-of War are fairly common in the ocean waters of the Palmetto State. To learn more about the different varieties check out the SCDNR website right here.

The good news is, the jellyfish stings you may get in the waters off North Carolina and South Carolina will most likely be a nuisance. As I said earlier, I know this from personal experience. The sting is painful, don’t get me wrong but it is survivable.

Here’s What You Should Do About A Jellyfish Sting

I consulted with the Mayo Clinic website on what to do about jellyfish stings. And here’s what they say. I can add that in my experience, I will never get in the water without a spritzer bottle of vinegar. That took the pain away immediately for me and the swelling went down. But you should consult the experts should you be so unfortunate as to be on the business end of a jellyfish.

Catherine Lane is the morning show co-host and midday host on Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for the past 24 years and is a recipient of the Academy of Country Music Major Market Personality of the Year award. Catherine has been on air in both radio and television in the Queen City for 38 years. As a content creator for Country 1037, Catherine writes blogs on local events and restaurants. She also writes about great travel spots and out of the way places in the Carolinas. Anything outdoors, travel, food, animals or the many country artists from the Carolinas.

South Carolina Named One of World's Most Dangerous Places for Shark Attacks

If you’re like me, then when you go to the beach there is only one thing you think about, SHARKS! If it is one thing we have learned over the years, shark attacks can happen at just about any moment. From movies like Jaws to memorable shark attacks over the years, it’s the one thing we fear at the beach. While there are tons of precautions people try to take out nowadays, there are still some areas that are just known for high amounts of shark attacks.

How Stuff Works went through to determine which places are some of the most dangerous for shark attacks. From other countries like Brazil to U.S. spots like South Carolina, attacks happen worldwide. Although shark attacks are rare, it is good to know a bit about the beaches you may visit this summer or in the future. Here are How Stuff Works top 10 most dangerous places for shark attacks. Beware!

  • 10. Papua New Guinea

    Welcome to the world’s largest tropical island. In the Pacific Ocean, this area has had a record of 48 shark attacks since 1848, according to How Stuff Works.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFS3hzlBtW7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • 9. South Carolina

    South Carolina has had a record of 107 shark attacks since 1837, says How Stuff Works. With a long stretch of coastline, 37 of those attacks occurred in the Charleston County coastline.

    @_iamjenniferwade

    #saltlife #shark #gator #alligator #ocean #lake #fyp #southcarolina #wow #viral #viralvideo #dontletthisflop

    ♬ original sound - Jenn

  • 8. Brazil

    Brazil is home to most shark attacks throughout South America. According to How Stuff Works, they have had 107 attacks since 1931.

    @jr_galego

    Shark Recife Brazil

    ♬ original sound - Junior_miranda_usa.

  • 7. California

    Since 2012, California has had a record of 29 shark attacks. How Stuff Works says they have had nearly 130 attacks since 1926.

    @cbsmornings

    A surfer suffered “significant” injuries after he was bitten by a shark at a California beach. #news #sharkattack #california #surfer #pacificgrove #climatechange #sharks

    ♬ original sound - CBS Mornings

  • 6. Brevard County, Florida

    Florida is undeniably one of the most known places for shark attacks. The state has had so many multiple areas within Florida made the list. Brevard County specifically has had 155 shark attacks since 1882, according to How Stuff Works.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@baileyf02/video/7095024763105529130?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7070921411158410798

  • 5. Hawaii

    Headed to Maui or Oahu? Beware of the possibility of a shark attack. 159 of shark attacks in Hawaii have occurred at one of those two islands since 1828, says How Stuff Works.

    @siraniareid

    #oahu #hawaii #honolulu #sharkattak #sharks #northshoreoahu #northshoresharkadventures #vacation #adventure #fyp #fypシ

    ♬ Shark Attack - Hunncho Gee

  • 4. Queensland, Australia

    Since 1700, Queensland has had a record of 199 shark attacks. Australia is home to over 150 shark species and the attacks range from all different types of sharks. How Stuff Works reports that some of Australia’s beaches are protected by drumlines and baited hooks to help keep beaches safe from sharks.

    @jjemerson_wild

    This Blacktip Reef Shark swam right up to my camera!! 😯🦈 #shark #reefshark #snorkeling #australia #greatbarrierreef #queensland #fyp #animals @thisisqueensland

    ♬ Lights Are On - Tom Rosenthal

  • 3. New South Wales, Australia

    Another spot in Australia you may want to be cautious about is New South Wales. They have had over 250 shark attacks since 1700, says How Stuff Works. That includes five attacks and one fatality in just 2021.

    @nbcnewyork

    Fatal shark attack in Australia 🦈 #shark #sharks #attack #australia #syndey #swimmer #nbc4ny

    ♬ original sound - NBC New York

  • 2. South Africa

    South Africa has had over 200 shark attacks since 1905! WOAH! How Stuff Works reports people tend to flock to South Africa beaches to dive with sharks, but that can be highly dangerous for many obvious reasons. The country is the first to formally protect Great White Sharks leading to their population to grow tremendously. Yeah, sounds like I will not be in the waters of South Africa no time soon.

    @itaintjana

    africa i love u #travel #greatwhite #shark #animals #africa #southafrica #fy #fyfyfy #foryou

    ♬ Originalton - J🧚🏼

  • 1. Volusia County, Florida

    Coming in at the No. 1 spot for the most dangerous place for shark attacks, of course, Florida. Volusia County to be specific. This area has had over 300 shark attacks since 1882. Not only is it the highest for the state, but this one county beats out multiple countries as well! This area is considered the world’s shark bite capital! How scary is that!

    https://www.tiktok.com/@georgeawood/video/6926889913736498438?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7070921411158410798

  • Source

    For the full article and more information on each location, click here. 

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