Beach warning issued for Cronulla Gunnamatta Bay swimming spot after blue-ringed octopus detected

A Sydneysider has issued an urgent warning to residents after spotting a deadly find in the shallows of a popular beach.

The man said he found what appears to be an extremely venomous blue-ringed octopus in the water where children were playing at the swimming spot in Sydney’s south, near Cronulla.

“Found at Gunnamatta Bay this morning in the shallows next to where the children were playing,” he said.

Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>

“Be careful out there with the little ones!”

Pictures show the small but colorful octopus curled up inside what appears to be a beach toy.

Hundreds of locals shared their shock at the life-threatening discovery in the post’s comments.

“My worst nightmare !” one person said.

“Small and deadly,” added another.

“Thank you for posting! I have never heard of it and I often play at the beach with the children. Good to know,” said a third.

Others have warned that the octopus can often be difficult to spot, especially when calm.

“But the rings only appear when agitated, they’re sand colored when relaxed, so easily mistaken for a baby octopus,” one person said.

“This is also a reminder to everyone to update your CPR and first aid. Especially if you have kids,” added another.

Although the blue-ringed octopus is extremely venomous, Zoe Doubleday, a marine ecologist from the University of South Australia, says bites from the animals are rare.

“They are docile and shy animals and are not interested in people,” she wrote in Australian Geographic earlier this year.

“But they can bite when threatened or provoked, so NEVER, NEVER pick them up.

“And remember, these octopuses only flash their signature blue rings when upset, so stay away from any tiny octopus no matter what they look like.”

If you suspect someone has been bitten, immediately remove them from the water and seek emergency medical attention.

LEARN MORE