Swim with the Jellyfish

Amazing Footage of a Swim through Jellyfish Lake in Palau | Colossal

Snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake, a small body of water inhabited with an estimated 13 million golden jellyfish, a small body of water inhabited with an estimated 13 million golden jellyfish.

Every morning the entire jellyfish population migrates from the east side of the lake to the west side, and then back again in the afternoon, causing a near constant flurry of activity as seen in the video. Unlike most jellyfish, this particular species has such a mild, almost undetectable sting that it can’t be felt on human skin, making it possible to swim through the school without being harmed

More Facts about these Jellyfish: http://www.coralreefresearchfoundation.org/CRRFassets/Reports/OTM_FactSheet.pdf

Why call it Jellyfish Lake?

• Two species of jellyfish inhabit the lake: 
• The golden jelly, Mastigias papua etpisoni
• The moon jelly, Aurelia sp. 4.
• They generally spend the day at ~ 5m (15 ft) below the surface eating plankton. 
• Their stings are mild and often undetectable. This has given rise to the myth that the jellies have lost their ability to sting due to isolation in a predator-free lake [The lake isn't really predator-free]. 

How and why do the golden jellies migrate?

• The golden jellies migrate1 km, daily, in the direction of which helps them avoid by the predatory sea anemone Entacmaea medusivora. 
• They swim east in the morning and west in the afternoon to always stay out of the shadows and within the light. - This also helps up stay away where major predators hide. 

How do the jellyfish reproduce?

• The fertilized eggs of a female medusa develop into free-swimming larvae that eventually attach to the bottom and grow into polyps. 

• Polyps are generally found between 7-12 m (20-40ft) in the lake. It is the polyp that buds off a new young medusa (anephyra) to complete the life cycle. Over a period of months, the ephryae grows and matures into a jellyfish.

What to do when swimming with the Jellyfish?

• Avoid damaging the jellyfish by wearing floats to maintain control. 
• Do not kick among the jellies with your feet to maintain control without floats. 
• Use slow, gentle strokes. 
• Wear only clean snorkel gear (check your pockets for any organic materials including dead shells) and do not apply sunscreen directly before entering the water.