Tiger Shark and Portuguese Man o' War Spotted on Same Day in Kauai; Officials Close Beaches

Dashel Pierson
·2 min read
1

It was a double-whammy of dangerous ocean creature sightings on Monday in Kauai.

First, there was a large tiger shark spotted at Hanalei Bay, near the surf spot called “The Bowl,” which prompted officials to close the beaches until further notice.

Then, there was a Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish off the coasts from Poipu to Kekaha, which also led officials to advise against swimming and surfing in those areas.

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

“Kauai County officials have posted warning signs at Hanalei Bay after a large tiger shark was spotted at a surf spot commonly known as “the bowl” on Monday afternoon.

“Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau officials are advising that the public avoid swimming or other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay until further notice. No injuries have been reported, but officials are posting the signs as a safety precaution and will continue to monitor the area.

“Lifeguards will reassess the area on Tuesday, and if there are no other sightings, Hanalei Bay will reopen to ocean activities at noon on Tuesday.”

Ironically, and eerily, it was the same spot where a surfer was attacked by a 12-to-15-foot tiger shark just days ago. Hence, the extra precautions.

As for the Portuguese Man o’ War, according to NOAA:

“The tentacles contain stinging nematocysts, microscopic capsules loaded with coiled, barbed tubes that deliver venom capable of paralyzing and killing small fish and crustaceans. While the man o’ war’s sting is rarely deadly to people, it packs a painful punch and causes welts on exposed skin.”

Yeah, you don't wanna get stung by one of those bad boys...or bitten by a tiger shark for that matter.

***

Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.

Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.