How can I identify jellyfish found in South Carolina waters?

Look at the bell shape and color, the oral arms, and the number and length of the tentacles. These traits distinguish the local species in the guide above.

When are jellyfish found near the South Carolina coast?

Cannonball jellies appear during summer and fall, lion's mane jellies appear during colder months, and sea nettles are common in summer.

How can I avoid contact with jellyfish?

Use caution where dangerous jellyfish or many jellyfish are present. Give them plenty of room because some tentacles trail far from the body.

Can stranded jellyfish and detached tentacles still sting?

Yes. A jellyfish on the sand can still sting when its tentacles are wet, and a detached tentacle can sting too.

Jellyfish identification

Know which jellyfish need more space

Most jellyfish in South Carolina waters pose little risk to people. Learn the visible traits before you enter the water.

Sources checked August 21, 2026: SCDNR jellyfish guide (opens in a new tab) and NOAA beach dangers guide (opens in a new tab) .

Jellyfish found in South Carolina waters

Cannonball jelly

Stomolophus meleagris

Look for: A round white bell with a brown or purple band below, no tentacles, and a firm feeding structure.
Season: Summer and fall
Relative sting risk: Very low

Lion's mane

Cyanea capillata

Look for: A saucer-shaped bell with reddish-brown oral arms and eight clusters of tentacles underneath.
Season: Colder months
Relative sting risk: Low

Mushroom jelly

Rhopilema verrilli

Look for: A flat, soft bell without a brown band, plus fingerlike appendages below the feeding structure.
Season: SCDNR does not list a season
Relative sting risk: None identified

Southern moon jelly

Aurelia marginalis

Look for: A transparent, saucer-shaped bell with four pink horseshoe shapes visible through it.
Season: SCDNR does not list a season
Relative sting risk: Low

Sea nettle

Chrysaora quinquecirrha

Look for: A brown or red saucer-shaped bell with four oral arms and long tentacles that can trail several feet.
Season: Summer
Relative sting risk: Moderate to severe

Sea wasp

Chiropsalmus quadrumanus

Look for: A cube-shaped bell with long tentacles hanging from each of its four corners.
Season: SCDNR does not list a season
Relative sting risk: Highest

Portuguese man-of-war

Physalia physalis

Look for: A purple-blue gas-filled float with long tentacles below. It is a related colony, not a true jellyfish.
Season: Occasional visitor from tropical and subtropical waters
Relative sting risk: Very high

Avoid contact

In the water

Read jellyfish warning signs and ask a lifeguard about hazards before entering the water.
Give every jellyfish plenty of room because some tentacles trail far from the body.
Leave the water when you see a sea nettle or a jellyfish with a blue float.

On the beach

Do not touch a jellyfish washed onto the sand.
Keep away from wet tentacles and detached tentacle pieces because they can still sting.

Source: SCDNR jellyfish guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: NOAA beach dangers guide (opens in a new tab)

Jellyfish questions

How can I identify jellyfish found in South Carolina waters?: Look at the bell shape and color, the oral arms, and the number and length of the tentacles. These traits distinguish the local species in the guide above.; Source: SCDNR jellyfish guide (opens in a new tab)
When are jellyfish found near the South Carolina coast?: Cannonball jellies appear during summer and fall, lion's mane jellies appear during colder months, and sea nettles are common in summer.; Source: SCDNR jellyfish guide (opens in a new tab)
How can I avoid contact with jellyfish?: Use caution where dangerous jellyfish or many jellyfish are present. Give them plenty of room because some tentacles trail far from the body.; Source: SCDNR jellyfish guide (opens in a new tab)
Can stranded jellyfish and detached tentacles still sting?: Yes. A jellyfish on the sand can still sting when its tentacles are wet, and a detached tentacle can sting too.; Source: NOAA beach dangers guide (opens in a new tab)