Velella Velella Everywhere, Including in the Bay
Rod Witel was sailing on the Bay recently when he was witness to an extraordinary display of nature.
“Sailing the central Bay last week, I literally ran into thousands of Velella velella floating in a swath approximately 1000 yards long. These three- to four-inch jellyfish-like creatures are also called ‘by-the-wind sailors.’ They rely on ocean currents and the wind to ‘sail’ themselves around.”
“Velella are not true jellyfish but are related to jellyfish, sea anemones, corals, and hydroids. I’ve seen them along the California coast but never such numbers in the Bay.”
Rod is a Club Nautique sailing instructor and charter captain. He recently sent us photos and stories of a flotilla charter in Croatia, and a second charter with friends in Sweden. Read here.
Great story. These guys drift onto our beach in Coronado once a year or so. Beautiful simple sailors like us.
A marine murmuration. Thank you for posting great pics and story. We saw it but didnt know what it was..
First saw them in a sea of blue upon blue somewhere between SF and Hawaii Beautiful and unique.
the first time i saw them was two years ago in Spring on the beach at Padre Island, TX. really enjoyed them