Where do lion's mane jellyfish live?

They occur in cold, boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific, and are common in parts of northern Europe; they may drift into the southwestern Baltic Sea.

How large can they get?

The largest recorded specimen had a bell about 210 cm across with tentacles around 36.6 m long.

Can they breed in the Baltic Sea?

They may drift into the southwestern Baltic Sea but cannot breed there due to the low salinity.

Are similar jellyfish found elsewhere?

Similar jellyfish have been reported near Australia and New Zealand and may represent the same species.

Is the lion's mane one of the largest jellyfish species?

Yes, it is considered one of the largest known jellyfish species.

Do similar jellyfish occur in southern hemispheric seas?

Similar jellyfish are known to inhabit seas near Australia and New Zealand; they may be the same species.

Where to See Lion’s Mane Jellyfish While Diving

Q: Have they been observed off the U.S. East Coast?

Yes — lion's mane jellyfish have been observed below 42°N latitude in larger bays of the U.S. East Coast.

The lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one of the largest known species of jellyfish. Its range is confined to cold, boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Oceans. It is common in the English Channel, Irish Sea, North Sea, and in western Scandinavian waters south to Kattegat and Øresund, and may drift into the southwestern Baltic Sea (where it cannot breed due to low salinity). Similar jellyfish, which may be the same species, are reported near Australia and New Zealand. The largest recorded specimen (measured off Massachusetts in 1865) had a bell diameter of 210 cm and tentacles approximately 36.6 m long. Lion's mane jellyfish have been observed below 42°N latitude in larger bays of the U.S. East Coast.

Occurs in boreal northern seas and may drift into adjacent areas such as the southwestern Baltic Sea; has been observed in larger bays of the U.S. East Coast below 42°N latitude.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Derawan Islands, Monterey Bay, Murcia: Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas and countries such as Germany, United States of America, Canada for divers building trips around lion’s mane jellyfish.