A beach in Broome has been closed after a swimmer was stung by a potentially deadly jellyfish.

The Shire of Broome said the victim was stung by an irukandji at Town Beach late on Sunday afternoon.

Irukandji deliver an extremely painful sting, which in extreme cases can kill.

The shire's Ty Matson said the victim arrived at the Broome Regional Hospital about half an hour after being stung, suffering the classic symptoms of vomiting, nausea and pain.

Mr Matson said irukandji jellyfish prefer warm water and it is generally best not to swim in tropical areas like Broome over the summer.

"Look I wouldn't go in personally," Mr Matson said.

"But if you do want to go in, try to source a stinger suit to wear when you go in.

"There is really no other preventative measure.

"It's not only swimming, it's also people that are using throw nets or launching boats or even walking with their pets down on the beach as well that are all susceptible to being stung."

Beachgoers advised to keep tweezers and vinegar on hand

The shire's beach lifeguards detected an irukandji in a drag net during a test for jellyfish at Cable Beach earlier this year, but this is the first sting in Broome this wet season.

Normally the water would be re-tested after a sting or irukandji sighting, but the beach lifeguards are only on duty during the tourist season from about April to November.

"So what we do is an automatic close [of] the beach for 24 hours ... but I think people have to judge the risk for themselves and if you go in the water you can almost expect to get stung," Mr Matson said.

"The only advice I would give people is to have a pair of tweezers and have vinegar on board in their car or boat.

"With the tentacles, you can peel them off with tweezers but also douse them with vinegar as well."

Warning signs will remain in place at Town Beach for 72 hours.