Jellyfish Lake
It's pretty hard to believe this picture is real. If you've ever been warned of the perils of swimming with jellyfish, you'd probably steer well clear of a lake infested with them. However, Jellyfish Lake in the Pacific Island of Palau is quite the tourist attraction.
The lake, known as Ongeim'l Tketau locally, contains over ten million jellyfish that evolved from one common ancestor, a spotted jellyfish that wandered in from the ocean many, many years ago. When access to the sea was cut off, the population was isolated.
Over the years, with a constant supply of algae and no predators to fend off, their stingers sort of devolved. And that's the reason it's possible to swim with them. They do still have stinging cells, but they're so small that their touch isn't detectable by human skin.
So much so that snorkelers descend on the lake regularly to attempt the bizarre feat. The jellyfish have even been featured on reality TV, with contestants on Survivor: Palau treated to a swim as a prize.
Far riskier than their stingers is the layer of hydrogen sulfide 15 to 20 meters below the surface. Humans are strongly discouraged from descending that far, and scuba diving is prohibited, due to the risk of hydrogen sulfide poisoning. (Think about swimming in sulfury, stagnant pond water, and you'll get the idea…) However, the jellyfish love it there, and that's where they spend their nights. Check out this link to see what it's like. RM
2009 Mar 31
10 responses.
10 COMMENTS
sir jorge
April 28, 2009
I really need to get out of this cubicle and see these things in person.
Michael Schmid
May 11, 2009
While scuba diving in the ocean nearby, I did stop and hike up here to cuddle with the jelly fish. Once you got used to that fact they couldn’t sting you it was pretty amazing. I wore a dive skin and snorkel even so. There were so many jelly fish in places it was hard not to push them aside as you swam. We divers are taught not to touch stuff, but it was somewhat unavoidable. While in that area (Palau) do also check out ‘Blue Corner’; one of the best scuba diving spots in the world.
Brett S.
June 1, 2009
Been there it is amazing, just don’t swim to the bottom.
Hugging the Coast
June 22, 2009
I’ve seen this lake in Youtube videos. If you haven’t seen it…it’s amazing!
I hope one day to experience it firsthand.
Jonathan Cox
July 9, 2009
A layer of poison water and a lake full of harmless jellyfish…sounds like fun. Beautiful pictures, though.
Nestor
July 9, 2009
That looks awesome though it could get a little creepy.
gary
July 11, 2009
I don’t know why but these pictures give me a huge boner.
Sarasota Florida Area Guide
August 19, 2009
Cool, but in an M. Night Shyamalan kinda way !
Daniel W. Stafford
October 21, 2009
it must be relaxing to be floating there
Jeff
February 19, 2010
Very interesting and excellent photos.