National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Virgin Islands National Park

Corals

Are actually living animals, contact can cause severe 

damage to the 

coral and 

injury or 

infection to 

you. 

Prevention:

Always stay a 

safe distance 

from the reef, 

do not kick or 

step on corals while snorkeling, stand only in sand. 

Symptoms: Cuts and abrasions.

Remedy: Clean wound thoroughly.

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Virgin Islands National Park & 

Coral Reef National Monument

1300 Cruz Bay Creek

St. John, USVI 00830

(340) 776-6201 ext. 238

Enjoy the Beautiful Waters of the Virgin Islands 

National Park

“Look But Don’t Touch!”

Help us protect park resources include:

O Remove all trash when you leave.

O Do not feed fish or wildlife.

O Campfires are prohibited.

O Pets off leash or on beaches are prohibited. 

O Do not collect shells or rocks. 

O Do not touch or stand not on coral or rocks

For your Safety

O Do not leave valuables unattended.

O No surfing or skim boarding in designated 

swim areas.

O Always wear reef safe sunscreen.

O Body surfing is not advised.

O Vehicles parked on roadway will be 

ticketed/towed.

Respect Others

O No smoking on beaches.

O No glass on Beach--cut feet spoil 

vacations.

O Loud music is prohibited.

O Nudity is prohibited. 

In case of EMERGENCY DIAL 911

From Cell Phone DIAL (340) 776-9110

To report a Lionfish sighting call

(340) 201-2342

Things to Avoid While in the Water.

Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral 

Reef National Monument offer wonderful underwater 

adventures.

This brochure describes some common hazards, as 

well as precautions and remedies should you come in 

contact with one of these creatures or plants. 

Should you wish to learn more, a simple Internet 

search will provide a wealth of information.

Lionfish

Have Poisonous venom 

tipped spines.

Prevention: Do not 

approach.

Symptoms: Swelling, and 

intense pain. If systemic 

allergic reaction occurs 

seek immediate medical 

attention. 

Remedy: Soak area in hot 

water and seek medical 

attention. 

Jellyfish & Sea 

Wasps

Not often found in 

waters here. Avoidance 

is the best practice. Soft 

gelatinous bodies with 

long stinging tentacles 

that discharge when 

touched. 

Symptoms: Mild stinging, itching and redness to 

severe allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.

Remedy: Tentacles must be removed from skin or 

will continue to fire. Bare hands should not be used 

to remove tentacles. Vinegar may relieve the pain.
Hazardous Marine Life & Things to Avoid

Scorpionfish

Excellent camouflage helps them blend into seagrass, 

coral reef and rocky habitats. Venomous spines line 

the dorsal, anal and 

pectoral fins. 

Prevention: Shuffle

feet when entering 

the water and not 

touching the sea floor 

may prevent injury 

from a Scorpionfish.

Symptoms: Swelling, intense pain. Seek immediate 

medical attention if allergic reaction occurs.

Remedy: Soaking in hot water may alleviate the 

pain.

Hydroids

Resemble a feather plant, related to jellyfish and 

corals, and have strong stinging cells. Find them 

attached to rocks and 

plants, particularly 

mangrove roots, on 

docks, buoys and 

mooring lines. 

Prevention: Be 

aware of your 

surroundings and do 

not touch marine life.

Symptoms: Burning, itching, inflammation, swelling 

and pain. Sunburn and hot water may increase the 

symptoms.

Remedy: Rinse with vinegar. If allergic reaction 

occurs seek immediate medical attention.

Fire Coral

Have strong stinging 

cells and are either 

blade-like (shown) or 

encrusting (flat), and 

are mustard-yellow to 

dark orange, often with 

white edges. 

Prevention: Do not 

touch any corals. 

Symptoms: Painful burning sensation, rash, redness, 

tingling, itching, welts and allergic reactions. 

Remedy: Rubbing alcohol or meat tenderizer may 

help alleviate the pain.

Touch-me-not sponges

Brown or orange, they have fiberglass like spines 

which contain toxin that imbed in the skin if touched. 

Prevention: Do not 

touch any marine life. 

Symptoms: Burning, 

itching, swelling and 

redness. 

Remedy: Spicules may 

be removed with 

adhesive tape. Vinegar 

may help relieve the burning sensation.

Eels

Usually found in rock piles, under coral ledges and in 

caves. Eels are not 

aggressive by nature but 

can attack if provoked. 

Prevention: Do not 

attempt to touch or feed 

an eel. Do not put hands 

in rock crevices or holes. 

Remedy: Seek immediate 

medical attention if bitten.

Fire/Bristle Worm

Commonly found in sea 

grass, on or under boulders, 

and coral. Thousands of 

fine venom-filled, needlelike bristles can break off 

and become embedded in 

the skin. 

Prevention: Do not touch 

marine life.

Symptoms: Pain, burning, itching and redness. 

Remedy: Bristles may be removed by using adhesive 

tape. Ammonia may help relieve pain.

Sharks

Shark attacks are extremely rare in the Virgin Islands.

Prevention: Avoid waters being fished or where fish 

are being cleaned. Do not swim at night or at dusk 

and dawn. 

Remove shiny 

jewelry and do 

not enter the 

water if you 

are bleeding. 

Move out of 

the area or exit 

the water if a shark approaches too close, makes 

sudden movements or appears agitated. 

Remedy: Seek medical care immediately if bitten.

Long-spined sea urchins

Found in reefs, seagrass beds or on rock piles on the 

sea floor, have long spines 

which puncture the skin if 

stepped on or touched. The 

spines are usually absorbed 

in a few days. Do not try to 

pull spines out. May have 

to be removed by a doctor.

Prevention: Avoid any contact with urchins.

Symptoms: Redness, pain and swelling.

Remedy: Soak the wound in hot water. Vinegar may 

help dissolve the spines.