Ocean safety in Hawaii

Beaches and clear waters are two important reasons why people come to Hawaii for vacation. Almost everything can be found here: white sand beaches, impressive reefs, rocky coastlines and the best surfing waves.

While in Hawaii, you need to consider accommodation. After all, the quality of your vacation will depend on where you live. To choose good accommodation you can turn to the service hawaiitrustedrealty.com, which presents a great range of accommodation in Hawaii, both for rent and for purchase. On the website of this service, you can find a suitable housing option for you.

But in order to truly enjoy swimming in the open ocean, you must constantly keep your own safety in mind.

Ocean currents

Tourists often underestimate the strength of currents and waves off the coast of Hawaii.

Rule number one: never turn your back on the open ocean. There are waves that occur almost instantly, and you never know when they will come to you. If you are near water, keep the ocean under constant supervision!

Never kayak alone. There are currents in the ocean that remain invisible from the shore, but can be dangerous to your life if you get caught in them.

If in doubt, ask lifeguards about the current weather and ocean conditions. Lifeguards are on the beach to look after you, but even they cannot always come to the rescue on time. Do not tempt fate in vain.

Ocean dwellers

Jellyfish. You can bump into it especially often after a storm and in the interval between 9-12 days after the full moon. The most common type of jellyfish is the Portuguese boat. This type of jellyfish is small in size, but their venom is dangerous to humans. The Portuguese boat can be recognized by its long, blue filamentous tentacles. Often found on the beach, these jellyfish look like a bubble of jelly with blue veins. Never go into the water if you spot these jellyfish nearby.

If you are stung by a jellyfish, a local remedy is a meat tenderizer applied to the affected skin. An emergency remedy said to be used by the locals is urine. It doesn't sound very pleasant, but you shouldn't shy away from this remedy, especially when your skin is burning from the bite.

Don't use vinegar as it can only make your pain worse. And in any case, don't comb the bite. We recommend that you rinse the bite with plenty of ocean or fresh water. If after a bite you have an allergic reaction or difficulty breathing, then call an ambulance immediately.

Sharks. As soon as you step into the water, your place in the food chain instantly changes, and not in your favor. But don't worry, it is very rare that a swimmer, diver, or surfer is bitten or eaten by a shark. In reality, you have a better chance of being hit by a car in Waikiki than being eaten by a shark. Just follow common sense when you are in the ocean.

Most shark attacks are due to the fact that sharks confuse humans with their usual prey. When you are on the surfboard, you may appear to be a seal to the shark. Therefore, it is surfers who are more likely than others to be attacked by sharks, although the number of attacks is negligible compared to the number of surfers who go out into the ocean daily. Try to ride in groups, avoid surfing at dawn and dusk, and always keep an eye on what's going on around you. Some attacks take place in troubled waters as sharks don't see very well and are just trying to figure out the source of the movement.

Avoid swimming or diving in the bay or in an area where there are many ships, as well as in river estuaries. If you are snorkeling, then avoid being in a school of fish and watch the movements of the marine animals around you. If you notice fast and chaotic movements, then you better return to the shore.

Don't assume that dolphins can protect you. They usually swim away when they sense the approach of a shark and will never attack it. Always swim close to your boat and stay alert when swimming with dolphins.

Other marine animals

Acne is usually harmless to humans as long as they don't feel threatened. Eels live in reef caves. If you see a hole in coral or rocks, never put your hand in it, or even bring it close. If an eel is swimming near you, just stay calm and stay away from it. Let him go and he won't touch you if you don't try to touch him.

The honu turtles are very numerous in Hawaii, but they are endangered nonetheless. They do not pose any danger to humans, and even vice versa: they themselves need our protection. But they can also bite if they feel threatened by you. Use caution and caution when meeting these ancient inhabitants of Hawaiian waters. Don't get close to them and just enjoy their presence. In some places, such as Lanicaea Beach (northern coast of Oahu), turtles are accustomed to the fact that people feed them on seaweed and therefore are not afraid of people. And if you are in the water, you may find that you are surrounded by a group of turtles who are studying you with curiosity. This may sound intimidating, but don't panic or make sudden movements towards the turtles.

Sea urchins. Their sharp needles and the poison inside the needles can be very painful to humans. Hedgehogs live in reefs, sometimes they can be seen, and sometimes they hide in secluded places. Don't touch them and watch where you step in the water.

Corals. Their appendages can be sharp enough to cut your skin without being aware of you. Watch where you step in the water and be extremely cautious when surfing and boogie boarding in the shallow coral reef.