en masse on our shores.
1. What You Found: Meet the By-The-Wind Sailor
The creatures you’ve encountered are called Velella velella, commonly known as “By-the-Wind Sailors.” They are a type of hydrozoan, closely related to jellyfish, and are part of the phylum Cnidaria. Velella velella typically measure around 7 cm in length, with a distinctive triangular sail that helps them navigate across the ocean surface. Their vibrant blue coloration makes them stand out against the sand when they wash ashore.
These organisms are colonial, meaning they are composed of a
