These Virginia beaches have the highest jellyfish chance on today's forecast, ranked heaviest first. The values come from the VIMS and NOAA Chesapeake Bay sea nettle maps, translated into plain labels. If a spot you had in mind is near the top, it may be a good day to pick somewhere else.
This is a forecast of likelihood, not a jellyfish count, and it can shift within a day. If you swim at a heavier beach, consider a rash guard and keep an eye on the water.
Rankings update daily. To find a calmer spot, see the best beaches to avoid jellyfish today. For safety, read our sting first aid guide and tips on how to avoid jellyfish.
Source maps are model guidance from VIMS and NOAA/NCCOS. They are useful for a quick beach check, but they do not count jellyfish in the water and may not match conditions at every shoreline. Always check conditions when you arrive: posted lifeguard flags beat any forecast, and a purple flag means dangerous marine life has actually been seen, whatever the model says.