Mysterious blob-like sea creatures known as the 'wind sailors' wash up on California coastline

Mysterious blob-like sea creatures washed up across the Southern California coastline. 

Beachgoers were shocked to find the blue, gooey creatures on the sand at beaches between Ventura and San Diego on Monday. 

A bunch of blobs were spotted at Newport Beach and Long Beach as scientists said that strong ocean currents and winds brought them to shore. 

Many users took to social media to share snaps of the unique finds and were in awe of how the creatures got there. 

'They’re amazing animals. They’re like space aliens or something that have invaded our beaches, but they’re not going to be here for very long,' Bruno Pernet, a professor of biological sciences at California State University Long Beach told KTLA5. 

Mysterious blob-like sea creatures washed up across the Southern California coastline

Many users took to social media to share snaps of their unique finds and were in awe of how they got there

The creatures, known as Velella velella, or 'wind sailors' are known to wash up along Southern California in the spring due to powerful storms

The creatures, known as Velella velella, or 'By-the-Wind Sailors' are known to wash up along Southern California in the spring due to powerful storms. 

They have a sail on their tops which allows them to be blown across the ocean - leaving them at the mercy of currents and winds.

Scientists have advised beach-goers to steer clear of the creatures as they are related to jellyfish and have tentacles that can leave a mild sting.

Although experts have aired on the side of caution, Velella velella are not considered dangerous to humans. 

The By-the-Wind Sailors are also known as colonial hydroids, similar to Portuguese Man O'War, feeding on algae and zooplankton.

Portuguese Man O'War are venomous sea creatures that typically cause issues for surfers in the Pacific Ocean. 

Scientists have advised beach-goers to steer clear of the creatures as they are related to jellyfish and have tentacles that can leave a mild sting

The By-the-wind sailors are also known as colonial hydroids and are similar to Portuguese Man O'War, feeding on algae and zooplankton

Upon their arrival in recent weeks, another creature has been satisfied to find an influx of Velella velella.   

Ocean sunfish, also known as Mola mola, are known to feast on the little jellyfish-like creatures and were spotted chomping down on them in recent days. 

Other sea animals also enjoy the wind-sailors, including sea turtles and sea birds, but most predators tend to pass on them because of their size and venom, according to Pernet. 

'Lovely little creatures,' one person said online. 

'Nothing to be worried about, just nature,' another wrote. 

Last year, thousands of Velella velella were discovered on Southern California beaches. 

At the time, Dana Wharf Whale Watching, which operates off the coast of Dana Point, California, said they had seen 'hundreds' of the sailors in the water.

'Watch for them on the beaches,' Nona Reimer, a science teacher said in an Instagram video while picking one up with her fingers. 'They're gonna be washing on the shore pretty soon.'

'You may come across a fresh wash-up of Velella, tinging the stretch of shoreline blue, but if they've been there a while, they will look like crinkly and dry ovals of cellophane,' Point Reyes National Seashore posted online. 

In Huntington Beach, Marine Safety Battalion Chief Doug Leach said hundreds had been spotted along the shoreline.

Ocean sunfish, also known as Mola mola, are known to feast on the little jellyfish-like creatures and were spotted chomping down on them in recent days

Velella velella are seen washed up on a beach in Ramatuelle, southeastern France on April 12, 2024

'We have a ton of them, mostly north of the pier, all over the high tide line as the tide was dropping this morning,' Leach said to the OC Register. 

By-the-wind sailors are named so because of their semi-circular fins that grow either to the right or the left. 

The fins lead the animal across the waters in whatever direction the wind is blowing, enhancing the survival of the species.

'Some of the population will go left, the others will go right. If the winds blowing to push everybody towards the beach, half will go offshore and half will go onshore,' Professor of Toxicology Jamie Seymour told Yahoo News. 

'Twenty to 30 years ago it would probably have been uncommon to see them. Nowadays it's certainly not.' 

Between 2014 and 2016, possibly millions, washed ashore blanketing beaches across the state. 

It drew curious beachgoers onto the sands to see them up close, although they are known for living in warmer tropical waters off Baja California, Mexico.

The transparent creatures can measure up to 10cm long but are usually smaller in size. They are part of the Cnidaria group, which includes jellyfish and corals. 

Once the creatures are stranded on the beach, they can disintegrate and die, becoming food for birds.