Are Irukandjis and Box Jellyfish found at the Reef and Islands?
Some species of Irukandjis may be found at the reefs and islands; however, Box Jellyfish are not typically found off the mainland. They may be found on a couple of the near-shore islands. Can I get stung out of season? It is possible, though lower risk. Stings and specimens of Box Jellyfish and Irukandjis have been recorded all months of the year. Why use vinegar? Vinegar disables the sting mechanism of un-discharged stinging cells which may remain on the skin after a sting, and thus prevents additional stinging. Where does the name Irukandji come from? Irukandji is the name of an Aboriginal tribe native to the Northen Cairns Beaches region, where Irukandji syndrome was discovered. What are the odds of getting stung? Quite unlikely. Of the 8 million users of the Great Barrier Reef/North Queensland region each year, only about 40-50 Irukandji stings occur. And far fewer Box Jellyfish stings occur. However, both are extremely painful and may have long-term effects, so it is worth taking
