Velella jellyfish at La Garita

Bathers have been advised not to swim at Playa de la Garita in Arrieta after the detection of various velella “jellyfish”.

The velella, or by-the-wind sailor, is a small floating organism that resembles a jellyfish which is often found washed up on northern coasts. It is smaller than the more dangerous Portuguese man o’ war, and is usually a brilliant sapphire blue.

Its sting is relatively mild compared to other jellyfish, such as the Portuguese man o’ war or the mauve stinger, but emergency services have advised bathers not to go in as the creature can still cause irritation.