Men-of-war unwelcome visitors | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Men-of-war unwelcome visitors | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "With vivid colors of blue and purple, the Portuguese men-of-war that dot the shoreline of Pensacola Beach might look pretty."

But don't get too close, beach officials warn, because the sting of their tentacles is one of the quickest ways to end a good day at the beach.

"I personally am afraid of them," said Dave Greenwood, water safety supervisor at Pensacola Beach. "I was stung on the hand once, and that was enough for me. I really have a lot of respect for them."

Dozens of Portuguese men-of-war littered Casino Beach on Wednesday, but no major problems with the creatures were reported. However, Greenwood expects them to continue washing up until the winds change direction.