A crocodile sighting has forced a far north Queensland beach to close as life savers on the Sunshine Coast recover from the worst marine stinger inundation in recent memory.

Bluebottles stung 1504 beachgoers at the weekend on beaches north of Brisbane, with another 914 copping stings on Surf Life Saving Queensland-patrolled Gold Coast beaches.

Bluebottle stings were widespread. Credit:DAVID UNWIN/Fairfax NZ

North-easterly winds brought the creatures south, with Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Kirra and Coolangatta all particularly badly affected.

Surf Life Saving Queensland surf communications co-ordinator Tim Wilson said southern beaches had cleared up on Monday as the wind turned but the bluebottles would likely return later in the week.