5 Dangerous Animals in Hawaii: Keeping You Safe While in Hawaii

Curious on what dangerous animals you might encounter in Hawaii?

For over 10 million visitors to Hawaii each year, the paradise experience can be marred by unexpected encounters with potentially dangerous wildlife that most tourists remain completely unaware of.

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii or simply want to be prepared for your next island adventure, this episode reveals the hidden hazards most travel guides never mention.

In this episode of Hawaii's Best, we explore five potentially dangerous Hawaiian creatures you should know about—from venomous cone snails disguised as beautiful shells to box jellyfish that appear on predictable lunar cycles.

👉 In this episode, you will:

• Learn to identify five specific dangerous creatures, plus a surprising bonus one
• Discover simple prevention strategies that take almost no effort but can prevent painful encounters
• Gain peace of mind knowing that serious wildlife incidents remain extremely rare despite these hazards

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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now to discover the 5 potentially dangerous Hawaii animals, some tourists never hear about—and how a little knowledge will keep your paradise vacation worry-free.

🎧Related episodes:

• 5 Things to Know Before Visiting Hawaii
  • Listen
• What NOT to do in Hawaii
  • Listen

⎯

💻Related blog posts and resources:

• 9 Dangerous Animals in Hawaii (with pics)
• 2025 Jelly Fish Calendar
• Start or grow your podcast with Bryan

⎯

🤓Chapters:

• 1:18 - Podcast Updates and Schedule
• 3:16 - Travel News: Honolulu Airport Advisory
• 5:21 - Banded Marble Cone Snail
• 7:18 - Tiger Sharks: Misunderstood Predators
• 9:08 - Jellyfish and Portuguese Man O' War
• 12:49 - Hawaiian Centipede and Coral Cuts

🤙Show Aloha

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• Business Sponsor Inquiry (let's work together!)

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This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)

Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)

Chapters

• 1:18 Podcast Updates and Schedule
• 3:16 Travel News: Honolulu Airport Advisory
• 5:21 Banded Marble Cone Snail
• 7:18 Tiger Sharks: Misunderstood Predators
• 9:08 Jellyfish and Portuguese Man O' War
• 12:49 Hawaiian Centipede and Coral Cuts

Transcript

144_Dangerous Animals in Hawaii

[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: Are there animals you should be aware of before visiting Hawaii? Well, in this episode, you'll discover the five most dangerous animals in Hawaii that locals know to watch out for plus 32nd safety tips that will help keep your family safe. While enjoying Hawaii,

[00:00:19] Bryan Murphy: Aloha and welcome to Hawaii's Best. My name is Brian Murphy, and as a husband, data three and certified Hawaii destination expert, it's my joy to help you discover the best of Hawaii Here we often feature local businesses and voices to give you the best travel tips. Up-to-date news and everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Hawaii Loha.

[00:00:44] Bryan Murphy: And in this episode, you'll discover the fascinating marine life Hawaii is known for. Including a few species to respect from a distance and why knowing the jellyfish calendar can help save you from an uncomfortable day and simple awareness tips that will help you fully enjoy Hawaii's beautiful beaches without worry.

[00:01:04] Bryan Murphy: Welcome to episode 1 44 of Hawaii's Best. We'll be looking at five ocean and land creatures today while rarely encountered are good to know about before your trip to Hawaii. And if you've listened to previous episodes of the podcast, you may be wondering, I. Why I'm releasing an episode on Monday. Well, happy Monday.

[00:01:27] Bryan Murphy: I hope the start of your week is going great wherever, whenever you're listening to this. Recently, I put out a survey and maybe you were one of the people that took that survey and just wanna say thank you so much for doing that, and nearly half of those who took the survey preferred a Monday episode.

[00:01:45] Bryan Murphy: So based on that, I'm trying it out for the month of April. One to kind of see how it works for me in production and schedule, and two, based on listens, based on stats of people who are actually listening on Monday. So for April, I'll be releasing an episode every Monday and on every Thursday. It might be a little too ambitious, but I'd like to get to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.

[00:02:09] Bryan Murphy: Not sure if that's gonna be too much, but see how much energy and content I have for that. Plus, I also produce around 20 other podcasts per week for clients too, which by the way, shameless plug, if you have a podcast or you're thinking about starting a podcast, I'd love to connect with you. I'll leave a link below in the show notes actually, where you can schedule a 15 minute call with me to see if I could be a help for you with your podcast.

[00:02:35] Bryan Murphy: Monday episodes will be more content focused and travel news updates when needed, and will typically be more solo episodes where Thursdays will be a slightly longer form content, um, episodes with. Guests, and I'm trying to book more guests for the podcast because that's another thing that people wanted to hear more.

[00:02:56] Bryan Murphy: They want to hear more guests. And I, I love guest interviews. I love connecting and meeting guests. And logistically it's just, it's just a little bit tougher to align calendars and. Find guests that are engaging and, and people that you would want to hear from. So I'm taking all that into account as well.

[00:03:15] Bryan Murphy: So I'll keep you posted. But speaking of travel news, I wanted to share this with you before we, we dive into these dangerous animals in Hawaii to be aware of. If you're heading home from Honolulu in the next few weeks, I want to give you a quick heads up. The Hawaii Department of Transportation just issued this past week in advisory about longer wait times at Daniel k NOI International Airport.

[00:03:37] Bryan Murphy: They're experiencing staffing issues with the USDA agricultural inspection station starting April 6th, which was just yesterday. On Sunday, only one agricultural inspection point will be open in lobby seven after. Am with a stand in front of American Airlines will be open from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM in lobby eight.

[00:04:00] Bryan Murphy: There will be one inspection station after 8:00 AM and the station in front of a and a counters will be closed indefinitely. Lobby five inspection stands will open at 8 55, which aligns with the opening of Alaska Airline counters and all other stations will open at 5:00 AM. Bottom line, get to the airport at least another 30, 45 minutes earlier than you normally would if you're flying out of Honolulu.

[00:04:26] Bryan Murphy: This quick planning step will just help you keep your trip even smooth right up into the end of your vacation. Back to today's topic 'cause no one wants to think about flying. Home from Hawaii. So back to today's topic, flying to Hawaii. Just being aware of these dangerous animals because Hawaii is one of the safest vacation destinations in the world.

[00:04:46] Bryan Murphy: But. Like anywhere with natural beauty, a little awareness goes a long way. So by the end of this episode, you'll have a simple, practical knowledge about what to watch for and when. These easy safety tips take almost no effort, but can prevent the rare, uncomfortable encounter that some visitors experience each year.

[00:05:07] Bryan Murphy: So my goal is just to give you a peace of mind to fully enjoy all the amazing experiences Hawaii has to offer, not cause. Any additional fear, but just to be able to travel with some more confidence and knowledge really. Alright, number one, no particular order with the banded marble cone. Snail. I. Now, this isn't your typical threat, but it's one that you need to just know about.

[00:05:31] Bryan Murphy: The snail is small. It's only about one to two inches long, and it has a beautiful shell, and that's why I kind of wanted to talk about it. It has this cream and brown patterns and this beautiful shell is exactly what makes it dangerous. Visitors often pick up these as souvenirs without realizing the risk.

[00:05:50] Bryan Murphy: However, Hawaii records fewer than just five confirmed cone snail stings annually, and there have been. No documented fatalities in Hawaii's history. But these statistics don't mean we should just ignore them. These snails can inject extremely potent venom through like a harpoon like tooth, and this venom contains toxins that attack your nervous system.

[00:06:13] Bryan Murphy: In a severe cases, this can cause respiratory paralysis. I think the real problem really is that most people don't know what they're looking at. These snails look like perfect little treasures on the beach, but over 90% of incidents involve visitors who handle shells. Without realizing that an animal is still inside, just remember, don't pick up any shells without checking first.

[00:06:34] Bryan Murphy: And if you see a cone shaped shell, just leave it alone. Take a picture. I'll leak an image to all these animals in the show notes below. If someone does get stung, they'll feel an immediate pain. You'll know you get stung. It's followed by swelling and numbness. Get medical help right away. Uh, most cases require only basic first aid.

[00:06:54] Bryan Murphy: With fewer than one in 10 requiring hospitalization, but most peaches in Hawaii are perfectly saved from this. But just be aware. It goes without saying, but I should say I'm not a doctor. I don't have a medical degree. I'm not a professional medical person, so always seek professional medical advice and seek medical care to your discretion.

[00:07:17] Bryan Murphy: Moving on to the next one. Tiger sharks. I consider these one of Hawaii's just misunderstood ocean animals, but they deserve our attention and respect. Tiger sharks are to identify with their distinctive brown, gray, and dark vertical stripes along their sides, especially visible on younger sharks. They have a blunt, wide nose and can grow up to 14 feet long.

[00:07:41] Bryan Murphy: In Hawaii. The data shows Hawaii records about three to four shark bites annually with tiger sharks responsible for most documented attacks, and that's why I wanted to put 'em on this list. Despite these numbers, fatal encounters are extremely rare, less than one. Per year on average across all Hawaii's islands.

[00:08:03] Bryan Murphy: And just to put it in perspective, you're about a thousand times more likely to need rescue due to drowning than experiencing a shark bite. But with this in mind, I just wanna put three key safety tips in mind when. Swimming in Hawaii. First, avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night when sharks are most, most active.

[00:08:24] Bryan Murphy: The statistics show nearly 60% of incidences occurred during these low light periods. Second, stay out of murky water, especially after a heavy rain. And third, don't swim. If you have an open wound, sharks can detect even tiny amounts of blood. I'm sure you know this already, but uh, just to be aware of that.

[00:08:45] Bryan Murphy: Some beaches do post shark warning signs after sightings. I found that local lifeguards are excellent resources for daily conditions. That's why enjoying beaches with staffed lifeguards is always highly recommended. Your chance of a encounter are extremely small. But don't let fear keep you from enjoying Hawaii's beautiful waters.

[00:09:08] Bryan Murphy: Number three on the list box jellyfish. These are one of Hawaii's most predictable ocean hazards and one of the most painful as well. I've learned exactly. What to watch out for and how to avoid them at a higher percentage box. Jellyfish show up on the shores in Hawaii approximately eight to 10 days after a full moon.

[00:09:30] Bryan Murphy: This predictable cycle is actually helpful because I can check the calendar before planning Ocean activities and I'll, I'll link in the show notes a link to. The um, box jellyfish calendar as well. The Hawaii Department of Health tracks these arrivals with Waikiki Beach experiencing up to a thousand jellyfish on peak invasive days.

[00:09:53] Bryan Murphy: The sting from a box jellyfish, it's incredibly painful. Many victims describe it as like being branded with a hot iron. The venom causes intense burning red welts, and in some cases can trigger serious allergic reactions. According to the medical data, Hawaii's hospitals treat between 800 to a thousand jellyfish stings annually with most occurring during these predictable jellyfish days, if you or someone is stung, it's recommended to rinse the area with vinegar.

[00:10:27] Bryan Murphy: Not fresh water, which can actually make it worse by triggering more stinging cells. It's also advisable to seek aid as soon as possible. Many beaches do keep vinegar stands specifically for this purpose. But if you don't have vinegar, use ocean water while removing any tentacles with a stick. Or credit card, never your bare hands.

[00:10:51] Bryan Murphy: Always check for warning before swimming at any beach. Alama, bay Waikiki and most popular beaches will post jellyfish warning signs during these peak times. Some beaches might even close completely during major box jellyfish events. But the good news, like I mentioned, if you know the cycle, you can easily plan around it.

[00:11:14] Bryan Murphy: This one simple planning step has helped me enjoy Hawaii's waters without a single sting across dozens of visits. Alright, number four, Portuguese Mano war. And I want to be a little clear about something before we get into it. This. Isn't actually a jellyfish, though many visitors mistake it for one. The Portuguese Manir is a colonial organism made up of specialized individual animals working together.

[00:11:40] Bryan Murphy: You can identify it by its distinctive purple blue air bladder that floats on the water surface. And this balloon like float is typically three to six inches long with tentacles that can extend up to 30 feet below. According to Hawaii's Ocean safety officials, manna war incidents spike during certain seasons.

[00:12:04] Bryan Murphy: So they're most common on Hawaii shores from December through March, especially during periods of strong onshore winds. These creatures don't swim. They're at the mercy, really, of the wind and currents. So when trade winds blow strongly towards shore, that's when beaches become a little bit more dangerous.

[00:12:23] Bryan Murphy: So if you're stung. Don't rinse with fresh water. Unlike boxed jellyfish, treatment vinegar is not effective for manal war stings. It's recommended rinsing the area with salt water, then carefully removing any visible tentacles with a stick or credit card. Never with bare hands. I. About 84% of steam cases resolved with basic treatment.

[00:12:45] Bryan Murphy: Though pain can persist for several hours. And number five, the Hawaiian centipede, which these aren't your typical mainland centipedes. The Hawaiian centipede grows up to eight inches long. Their reddish brown with yellow legs and two modified front legs that function as venomous fangs. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, the centipedes are responsible for over 400 reported bys annually across the islands.

[00:13:15] Bryan Murphy: They prefer dark, damp areas under rocks, logs, mulch, and garden debris. Uh, inside homes they had in bathrooms, closets, and laundry piles. About 65% of reported bites occur when visitors reach into areas without looking first or walking around barefoot at night. The pain level from a centipede bite is intense.

[00:13:40] Bryan Murphy: On the medical pain scale, victims typically rate it between an eight and a 10. Which is out of 10, and the venom causes immediate burning pain, severe swelling, and in some cases, fever and nausea, while rarely life-threatening. The Hawaii Poison Center reports that about 15% of bite victims do seek emergency medical care.

[00:14:03] Bryan Murphy: I recommend several preventative strategies wherever you're staying. First, always shake out shoes, clothing before putting them on. Keep your luggage off the floor and closed when not in use and use a flashlight when walking outside at night, especially in garden areas of resorts. If you do get bitten or something you know does get bitten, apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.

[00:14:29] Bryan Murphy: Most symptoms do resolve within 48 hours, but seek medical tension if you develop severe swelling. I. Difficult breathing, or if the pain just doesn't improve within a few hours. A bonus one I wanna include are coral cuts. Coral isn't just a pretty marine structure. It's actually a living colony of tiny organisms with a hard calcium carbonate skeleton.

[00:14:52] Bryan Murphy: This skeleton can be razor sharp and easily cuts through human skin. According to Hawaii's emergency departments, coral cuts are the most common ocean related injury with over 1500 cases requiring medical attention annually. You know what makes coral cuts uniquely dangerous is the infection risk. When coral cuts you, it doesn't just slice your skin, it leaves behind millions of bacteria and microorganisms.

[00:15:21] Bryan Murphy: If you do get cut by coral, it's recommended to clean the wound immediately with clean, fresh water. Not sea water studies show that proper immediate cleaning reduces infection by nearly 70%. Remove any visible coral fragments and once back on land washed thoroughly. Keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection.

[00:15:42] Bryan Murphy: According to medical statistics, about 30% of coral injuries in Hawaii develop into what locals call. Reef disease. It's a condition where the cut swells, reddens and oozes. So if you notice these symptoms seek medical attention immediately, it might go without saying, but I just wanna say it. Please don't.

[00:16:02] Bryan Murphy: Stand on coral and walk across the reef. Hawaii's coral reefs are under threat with nearly 40% showing significant damage from human contact. So please, as best we can, refrain from touching coral, stepping on coral. It's so beautiful, but it's so vital to Hawaii's ecosystem. Alright, so that wraps up the list of five Potential Wildlife Hazards.

[00:16:31] Bryan Murphy: A bonus one for you. If you want a few more animals that I didn't include in today's episode, you can go to the show notes where I wrote a blog post on the top Nine Dangerous Animals in Hawaii. You can check that out after this episode. But my goal today wasn't to make you afraid of Hawaii's animals, but quite the opposite with over 10 million visitors annually, serious wildlife incidents.

[00:16:54] Bryan Murphy: Remain extremely rare. Most visitors never encounter any of these creatures. And those who do encounter these animals typically experience only minor discomfort. The simple prevention tips we discussed today take almost no effort. Check the jellyfish calendar before swimming. Shake out your shoes before putting them on.

[00:17:14] Bryan Murphy: Give those floating purple bubbles some room in the water and treat all coral cuts promptly. And if you see a shark. Give it space alert. Lifeguards, don't panic the best you can, but again, that's extremely rare. So if you found today's episode valuable, I just ask you to please hit follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss the next episode coming up this Thursday, which will feature one of my favorite spots on the east side of Oahu to eat.

[00:17:45] Bryan Murphy: And I'm gonna bring on the owner of that. Restaurant. So stay tuned for that. Just hit follow and you'll get notified this coming Thursday of that episode. Thanks again for making it all the way to the end, and until next time. As always, live with Aloha

[00:18:07] Bryan Murphy: Mala for listening to this episode of Hawaii's. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii's Best is a production of shore break media group with editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends. Stick figure.