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Jellyfish

Marine life profile

Jellyfish

Recorded at 12 dive sites

Where divers encounter it

Explore Jellyfish around the world

Jellyfish, also known as sea jellies or simply jellies, are the medusa-phase of certain gelatinous members of the subphylum Medusozoa, which is a major part of the phylum Cnidaria. It combines gentle swimming pulses with currents, capturing small prey that contacts its tentacles.

Dive sites12
Countries12
Animal groupInvertebrates
Safety profileVenomous

Meet the species

What to look for

How to Recognize It

A translucent bell pulsing through the water with tentacles or oral arms trailing behind.

How It Behaves

It combines gentle swimming pulses with currents, capturing small prey that contacts its tentacles.

Special Ability

Microscopic stinging capsules fire like tiny harpoons when triggered by touch and chemistry.

Dive responsibly

Share the water well

How to Approach

Stay up-current and give every tentacle generous space, including strands that are difficult to see.

Safety

Assume an unidentified jellyfish can sting. Do not touch live or stranded animals, and follow local exposure guidance.

Worth knowing

The detail you remember

Interesting Facts

Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animals, although a few are anchored to the seabed by stalks rather than being motile.

Where to Find

Look closely on reef walls, coral heads, sand, seagrass, jetties and shaded overhangs.

Known countries

EgyptSint MaartenThailandSouth AfricaGermanyCzechiaCroatiaNetherlandsUnited States of America (USA)ChinaUnited Kingdom