Scientists say unusual tides and currents are bringing the creatures, which pose a danger to bathers because they are so difficult to spot, towards shore.

"We are dealing with a species that potentially poses a great danger because of their high level of toxicity," said Luis Lara, head of Cepesma, a marine species protection organisation.

"It is a plague of proportions never seen before. There are great banks of them covering between a mile and a mile and a half from shore," he said.

Images showed tens of thousands of the pinkish globes washed in with the tide, covering sandy beaches usually packed with holidaymakers.

The Red Cross organisation, which provides lifeguards on popular beaches and has been treating hundreds of bathers for stings, said the beaches would likely remain closed over the next few days.

"Close inspection of the waters and sandy areas across the region will have to be undertaken before we can consider opening the beaches again," explained Enrique Perez Fernandez, head of the western zone for the organisation.

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Deadly jellyfish close beaches in Spain