Two kayakers were shocked after rowing into a jellyfish bloom off the coast of County Waterford on July 5.
IRELAND – Don’t be jealous of two kayakers floating in the Irish Sea, who stumbled upon an unforgettable spectacle as a massive jellyfish bloom turned the deep blue water into a sea of translucent drifters.
While filming the jaw-dropping spectacle from a kayak off the coast of Helvick in County Waterford, Ireland on July 5, Brendan Cosgrave could only sum it up one way: “That is bananas.”
Kayaking off the coast of Helvick in County Waterford, Ireland, two people were gifted front row seats to a jellyfish bloom.
(Brendan Cosgrave via Storyful)
The explosion of jellyfish was the result of a massive bloom, and the kayakers happened to be in the right place at the right time—and in the right kind of boat—to witness the natural spectacle up close.
A jellyfish bloom is a natural gathering of thousands of jellyfish in one area, fueled by warm water, abundant fuel to feed on and favorable ocean currents.
While spectacular to witness, some blooms can include species capable of delivering painful stings to swimmers.
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It’s unclear which species made up the massive bloom, but Lola O’Sullivan, a volunteer with Water Safety Ireland, told RTÉ that compass, blue and barrel jellyfish are among the species most commonly found in Irish waters this time of year.
Compass, blue and barrel jellyfish are among the species most commonly found in Irish waters this time of year.
(Brendan Cosgrave via Storyful)
“They’re the whole way over there,” Cosgrave shouted, pointing out just how far the jellyfish bloom stretched across the sea.
