The Mediterranean jellyfish, which can grow to over 30 centimeters in diameter, surprised swimmers this morning at Hawaii Beach on Verudela. Although not life-threatening, it can cause mild stings.
A morning trip to one of Pula's most beautiful beaches turned into an unusual sight for some swimmers. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, large jellyfish appeared right off the shore of Hawaii Beach on Verudela, astonishing everyone present with their size.
The jellyfish were spotted in the sea as early as the morning. Their appearance confused the youngest so much that some of them gave up jumping off the rocks after realizing they would land right next to these sea creatures. As the morning progressed, the jellyfish moved closer to the shallows, forcing some swimmers to cautiously go around them, while others tried to drive them away by waving their arms and slapping the water's surface.
These are Mediterranean jellyfish, a native species of the northern Adriatic that regularly appears during summer and autumn. They are easy to recognize by their light brown bell with a dark brown or orange circular bump in the center, beneath which are white, frilly oral arms with bluish or purplish hues. Adult specimens, like those seen at Verudela, can reach a diameter of over 30 centimeters.
Experts point out that this species can cause mild stings upon contact, but it is not considered particularly dangerous to humans. Nevertheless, the recommendation is clear: avoid direct contact and observe the jellyfish from a distance.
This summer has been marked by an unusually high number of encounters with this species. According to data from the platform Crafting the Sea, which collects citizen reports, as many as 175 sightings of the Mediterranean jellyfish have been recorded in the northern Adriatic so far. This morning's event at Verudela is just one in a series of confirmations of their abundance this season.
