Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Kooky Purple Creatures Return to Oregon Coast: Velella Velella

Published 04/23/2019 at 4:53 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Kooky Purple Creatures Return to Oregon Coast: Velella Velella

(Oregon Coast) – Theyyyyy’re baaaack.

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter

The infamous (and famously beautiful) velella velella are starting to hit the Oregon coast again. Also known as Purple Sails or By-the-Wind-Sailors, the freaky little fishy-smelling creatures aren’t showing up in great numbers, not like many years in the past when the beaches have been carpeted with them. (Photo above: a washed out velella velella, courtesy Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium).

So far, Seaside Aquarium and the Friends of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach have noticed them, and a member of volunteer organization CoastWatch spotted some in and around the Fort Stevens area. They’ve been documented at Hug Point in recent days as well, and Oregon Coast Beach Connection readers are chiming in and reporting them at Lincoln City and Newport recently.

It is now a good opportunity to start looking for them on any beach.

These creatures begin popping up when west winds kick in and the right currents have brought them closer to shore. They have no real means of propelling themselves, so they are at the mercy of the winds. If it's westerly winds pushing onshore for awhile, the seas draw them onto the sands of the Oregon coast.

Velella velella are closely related to salps, which are gelatinous in texture as well – but it doesn’t mean that either creatures are related to jellyfish. They’re biologically more connected to mammals, strangely enough.

They are, however, closely related to the Man-O-War, which is a larger salp that can sting and poke humans. Luckily, those don’t exist on this shoreline. Velella velella do not sting or prick humans in any way. While they do have that capability for smaller organisms, they’re sting isn’t nearly strong enough to be felt by humans.

Even so, Oregon officials say you should not walk on them barefoot or touch them. The issue there is that they are a rotting organism on the beach which can carry infection.

Purple Sails popped up on and off in the years just before and after 2000, really making a striking display at times. This was just as the Internet and Oregon coast publications began paying attention to them, so they really only became somewhat known then.

In the early 2000s through to almost 2010, they mysteriously stopped showing up. Since then they’ve appeared rather regularly, sometimes in more enormous numbers than usual. By this time, cellphones and other media formats on the Net turned them into a well-known sensation.

Only when they’ve first washed up do they have that distinct purple color, but after a day or so on the beach they lose their hues and become translucent. Another characteristic of their manifestation: they unfortunately begin to stink really badly if they’re lying around in the sun for more than a day or two and the tide hasn’t washed them away. Velella velella are notorious for occasionally stinking so bad that motorists driving by the beaches have to roll their windows up. Photos below courtesy Seaside Aquarium:

Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours










More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 



Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Oregon Coast Whale Watch Week May Bring More Whales for Variety of Reasons
Spring Whale Watch Week to the region March 23 - 31. Newport events, Lincoln City events, Pacific City events, Rockaway Beach events, events, Seaside events, Astoria events, south coast events, Florence events
The 'Orphan' of Neskowin on N. Oregon Coast
Underneath that looming presence of Cascade Head an ancient geology tale
Razor Clamming Reopens on Central Oregon Coast: Lincoln City to Seal Rock
Open from Lincoln City down to Seal Rock. Lincoln City events, Newport events. Marine sciences
Wondrous Odd Science of Oregon Coast: Glowing, Singing, Flashing
Wondrous Odd Science of Oregon Coast: Glowing, Singing, Flashing. Weather
Coos Bay Summer Fests: UTV's, Tacos, Margaritas and Classical on S. Oregon Coast
Summer in Coos Bay means crazy, cool and cultured. Coos Bay events
Coffee 'n Treats for Trash: N. Oregon Coast Town Makes Picking Up Litter Yummy
Seaside gives you coffee and / or treats to fill bags with beach litter. Seaside events
Spring Cleanup in April Needs People - Including Oregon Coast
Between April 13 and April 22. Newport events, Lincoln City events, Pacific City events, Rockaway Beach events, events, Seaside events, Astoria events, south coast events
Washington / Oregon Coast Headed for Sunny, Warm Stretch - Portland Mid 70s
Some parts of the coast may reach 70. Weather

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details