In the Far North Queensland waters, ocean swimming can be dangerous.
With lurking marine life like the irukandji jellyfish and the blue-ringed octopus in the waters, swimming can lead to some potentially fatal injuries. This is particularly during peak stinger season. But don’t worry! There are a lot of ways to avoid a sting whilst being in the water and snorkelling.
Getting a stinger suit is the best way to avoid a fatal sting.
Not only are stinger suits a great barrier for jellyfish and harmful marine life, they are also great for protecting against sunburn. The thickness of the stinger suits is a great protection of UV light.
Stinger suits are highly effective in reducing the risk of a jellyfish sting!
What are they made from?
Stinger suits are mainly made from nylon or spandex. Even though the material is skin tight, they are extremely comfortable and they feel breathable. They’re just like a wetsuit! The stinger material is lightweight and moves with your body through the water.
The suit fabric is tightly woven together to block out any of the harmful UV rays from the sun. This means that none of the sun’s rays can get through to the skin, through this thick barrier.
Stinger suits are treated with antibacterial treatments which help to repel any bacteria that might be present in the water.
Choosing your stinger suit
There is a spectrum of different UV protections across all stinger suits. How can you choose the sun protection you want for your stinger suit?
The UV and SPF rating you need will differ depending on the amount of time that you will be spending in the water.
As the UPF is lower, the less UV comes through here and causes a burn.
Wetsuits and stinger suits are ‘amphibious’. This means they are useful on both water and land.
If you are spending long periods in intense levels of sunlight, then your best option is a lycra suit with UPF of at least 50 to offer elite protection against a beating hot sun…and stingers!
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.