Jellyfish in Malta: A Guide to Safe Beach Holiday

This guide outlines the species, when they appear, how to choose a safe bay, and what to do if you get stung.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quick answer: Are there jellyfish in Malta?

Yes, but not every year and not on every beach. Jellyfish season runs from April to September, with the painful Mauve Stinger most common in June. Where they end up depends on wind direction and current, so check the beach on the day and swim with a mask. Most Mauve Stinger stings hurt for some minutes and pass. Rinse with seawater, never fresh water, and see a pharmacy if the area gets larger or infected.

Jellyfish in Malta: The Species

Jellyfish have been part of the sea for millions of years, and they play a vital role in the food chain. Here are the ones you might meet while swimming in Malta’s warm waters.

The Mauve Stinger is the most common, with a pink mushroom-shaped head and long tentacles. It arrives with the warmer water in spring and summer, and it is the most painful of the lot.

Credit: Photo by Jane Ta on Unsplash

The Compass Jellyfish is easy to recognise by its yellowish head with compass-like markings.

As summer ends in September, keep an eye out for the Fried Egg Jellyfish. It looks just like its name; its sting is mild and barely affects people, and you might see small fish sheltering underneath it.

The By-the-Wind Sailor is a blue, oval jellyfish that floats on the surface, pushed along by the wind. Storms often wash them ashore between January and May. Their sting is only mildly irritating.

The Upside-Down Jellyfish lives inverted on the sea floor. Its blue tentacles look like flames, and it has a mild sting.

The one to respect is the Portuguese Man o’ War. It looks like a By-the-Wind Sailor, but its venom stays potent even after it dies. If you see one, keep your distance and tell the authorities.

Is the beach safe today? Choosing jellyfish-free bays

You can plan beach days without stress. Malta’s coastline faces different directions, so on most days at least one beach is clear. Jellyfish end up where the wind and current push them, so it is mostly about being in the right place on the right day. Browse my Malta beaches map guide for options on every coast.

Locals check online before they go, and so do I. I use the “Recommended Bays” section on malteseislandsweather.com, which is updated daily. One thing to know: the recommended bays are worked out from wind and current, not from jellyfish sightings. A beach on the list is a good sign, but it doesn’t prove jellyfish are there or not.

The most common mistake I see is people swimming without goggles, so they don’t know jellyfish are around until they touch one. A snorkelling mask lets you spot them and steer around them, and you get to see the fish too.

If you go out on a boat, a private trip helps. The skipper knows where the jellyfish are on the day and can suggest another bay. Charter boats usually go to the same places every time. A well-reviewed private option is this private boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Gozo (up to 7 people).

Travel timing: jellyfish seasons in Malta

Jellyfish season in Malta starts in April as the water warms and lasts until it cools down in September. The Mauve Stinger peaks in June. Each summer is different, so the numbers change from year to year.

In 2022 there was a marked increase in jellyfish, which I think was linked to cooler sea temperatures in March that disrupted their growth and reproduction cycle. 2025 and 2026 have been quiet; actually, almost no jellyfish were near the Maltese coast.

Jellyfish in Malta: Staying safe

Preparation goes a long way. Check the beach online, bring a snorkelling mask, and read the wind before you choose a bay. For general advice, see my guide to staying safe in the Maltese islands.

A Mauve Stinger sting has happened to me a few times, and the pain was gone after 5 to 10 minutes. Some people get a larger area affected, and the sting can become infected. If it does, talk to a pharmacist. If you do get stung:

1. Get out of the water and onto dry land.
2. Rinse the area with seawater. Do not use fresh water. It can make the sting worse, and it is the mistake I see most often.
3. If you have it, apply vinegar to neutralise the venom.
4. Remove any tentacles with tweezers and rinse again with seawater.
5. For itching and swelling, hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine can help.
6. If there is an open wound, keep it clean, apply antibiotic ointment and cover it.
7. See a pharmacy if the sting spreads or looks infected. Get medical help straight away for a severe allergic reaction, a sting covering more than half an arm or leg, or any Portuguese Man o’ War sting.

Jellyfish in Malta: FAQ

Planning around the season? My Malta travel guide for first-timers covers the best months to go, and the beaches of Malta, Gozo and Comino are all in one place. Happy beach hopping!