Men-of-war arrive on Hilton Head beaches. What to know about the bright, toxic creatures

Evan McKenna
·2 min read

Right on schedule, the vibrant but venomous Portuguese man-of-war are washing onto beaches in the Hilton Head Island area. Even after its death, a sting from the species’ barbed tentacles can induce excruciating pain and serious adverse reactions in humans.

Despite its translucent appearance and long tentacles, the Portuguese man-of-war isn’t a jellyfish — it’s not even a single organism. Each man-of-war is a fusion of individual polyps, each serving a specialized purpose. One polyp makes up the purple-blue, gas-filled float that bobs on the ocean’s surface, while others comprise feeding tentacles, defensive tentacles or reproductive organs, according to the South Carolina Department of Resources.

Islanders reported sightings of the purple-blue blobs on beaches around Coligny Beach Park, Port Royal Plantation, Folly Field and Hunting Island over the weekend. Erin Weeks, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Resources, said the shared photos appeared to depict Portuguese men-of-war, although the agency had not received formal reports of the sightings as of Monday afternoon.

Weeks said the animals are frequently found on South Carolina shorelines after being “pushed ashore” by strong winds. The animals can’t swim; instead, they move with ocean currents and winds as their main “float” sections bob above water.

“Fortunately, it usually occurs in the cooler months when there are few beachgoers and swimmers,” Weeks said of the men-of-war appearing on East Coast beaches.

Men-of-war were previously spotted last week on Tybee and Sullivan’s islands, suggesting that the visitors would soon come to Beaufort County as well. Dozens of the creatures were found on Hilton Head beaches in December 2022.

A Portuguese man-of-war was seen on the south-end beach of Hunting Island on Sunday morning as the species began washing onto shores in the Hilton Head Island area. Environmental officials remind beachgoers not to touch the colorful blobs, as their barbed tentacles can sting humans even after the creature has died.
A Portuguese man-of-war was seen on the south-end beach of Hunting Island on Sunday morning as the species began washing onto shores in the Hilton Head Island area. Environmental officials remind beachgoers not to touch the colorful blobs, as their barbed tentacles can sting humans even after the creature has died.

If stung, beachgoers should soak the affected area in hot water and seek further medical attention, according to Hilton Head’s beach patrol. Sightings should be reported to lifeguards or local officials.

A Portuguese man-of-war was photographed Sunday morning near Coligny Beach Park, with a long tentacle extending from the creature’s jellyfish-like body. The species often appears on beaches in the Hilton Head Island area in the winter months, when the free-floating creatures are pushed onshore by strong winds and ocean currents.
A Portuguese man-of-war was photographed Sunday morning near Coligny Beach Park, with a long tentacle extending from the creature’s jellyfish-like body. The species often appears on beaches in the Hilton Head Island area in the winter months, when the free-floating creatures are pushed onshore by strong winds and ocean currents.