Deadly Jellyfish in the South Pacific...

Box Jellyfish in Thailand...

I always was under the understanding that the various species of the deadly box jellyfish were confined to the shores of Australia... This is not the case as they are also a problem in many SE Asian country's waters as well.

Does anyone know if these jellyfish have been reported on any of the Pacific islands and if they have caused any problems for those who enjoy water-based activities?

No box jellyfish in the Cooks that I have ever heard of. In fact, in the last 20 yrs or so, only about a dozen small bluish jellyfish----all dead---were found in the lagoon at Muri, all washed up after a heavy gale offshore.

I'd think they night be more of a problem in islands that are closer to Australia (N. Queensland in particular), but not sure.

Box jellyfish were never mentioned to me as a potential water risk in Fiji. People running dive shops were quite open about other risks/hazards, and I see no reason why they'd not be telling the truth.

David Stanley does not mention them as a risk in his South Pacific guidebook.