When do Portuguese Man O’ War appear in Phuket, and what to do if you come into contact with them?

The low season in Phuket is full of surprises. When the island is hit by the southwest monsoon (from May to October), the sea gets strong waves, along with dangerous marine creatures. During this period, swimming requires extra caution.

The Portuguese Man O’ War (Physalia) is the most venomous jellyfish in the world. You can encounter it in the sea, but sometimes they are also washed up on the shore. Yes, it looks beautiful, but under no circumstances should you touch it with your hands!

What to do if you come into contact with a jellyfish? Seek help as soon as possible. Lifeguards work on the beaches and are trained to act in emergency situations.

If there are no lifeguards nearby, you should:

• Carefully remove any tentacle remnants from the skin using tweezers or a flat-edged object like a credit card. Do not touch the tentacles with your hands!
• Do not rub the affected area to avoid spreading the venom on the skin.
• Take antihistamines.
• Seek medical help as soon as possible.

Usually, jellyfish stings are treated by rinsing the affected area with vinegar, but the venom of the Physalia (Portuguese Man O’ War) is different from other jellyfish, so it’s better not to self-treat and to see a doctor immediately.

Find hospitals in Phuket in the Hospitals section.

On Phuket, you can encounter not only venomous Physalia. Read the article Dangerous Marine Creatures of Phuket, where we talk about other unpleasant encounters in the sea. Forewarned is forearmed. Be careful and take care of yourself!