Mini trip report -- Garbage Beach -- Woods Hole

[large_diver]

First dive of the year for me on Saturday (wet suit). Nice day for diving, but a little windy (N-NW wind). Our plan was to dive straight out along the NOAA jetty (right side of Grabage beach). We walked the jetty before the dive and immediately noticed a TON of Lion's Mane jellies -- looked like they were being pushed in by the wind and high tide, which crested just about the time we arrived.

Underwater conditions were decent, with vis in the 20+ foot range. Max depth of 34 ft. Water temp was 46F. Lion's Mane jellies EVERYWHERE -- beautiful. I had a nice little stinging sensation around my lips at the end of the dive -- it was impossible to miss them there were so many.

Nudibranches were also everywhere. I think I saw about 8-10. Funny enough, one floated almost right onto the palm of my hand at the beginning of the dive; I saw quite a few more as the dive went on.

[Cigwin]

First dive of the year for me on Saturday (wet suit). Nice day for diving, but a little windy (N-NW wind). Our plan was to dive straight out along the NOAA jetty (right side of Grabage beach). We walked the jetty before the dive and immediately noticed a TON of Lion's Mane jellies -- looked like they were being pushed in by the wind and high tide, which crested just about the time we arrived.

Underwater conditions were decent, with vis in the 20+ foot range. Max depth of 34 ft. Water temp was 46F. Lion's Mane jellies EVERYWHERE -- beautiful. I had a nice little stinging sensation around my lips at the end of the dive -- it was impossible to miss them there were so many.

Nudibranches were also everywhere. I think I saw about 8-10. Funny enough, one floated almost right onto the palm of my hand at the beginning of the dive; I saw quite a few more as the dive went on.

I'm so new that I haven't dived yet, getting certified next week. So as a newcomer, I looked up the lion's mane jellyfish and found it to be venomous. Where you found so many, are they dangerous? Is there any special care that needs to be taken?

Thanks,

Den

[large_diver]

Den,

I guess the key is to avoid running into them...but there were so many, I just tried to stay out of the way of the largest ones. I definitely had a couple of surprising moments when I looked up from scanning the bottom and saw one in pretty close in front of my mask....

These guys apparently can reach huge sizes in the arctic -- 7-8 feet across and tentacles 120 feet long. Apparently at that size they could kill a human......

The good news is that I haven't run into this many before at one time -- they are usually easy to spot and avoid. Your exposure suit would help protect you....and the small ones seen close to shore wouldn't be lethal (the largest ones we saw were probably 5 inches across), but could still give you a nasty sting.

Bottom line -- they don't move fast and are easy enough to avoid...just look but don't touch ;-)

Perhaps others can chime in here....

-Chris

I'm so new that I haven't dived yet, getting certified next week. So as a newcomer, I looked up the lion's mane jellyfish and found it to be venomous. Where you found so many, are they dangerous? Is there any special care that needs to be taken?

Thanks,

Den