Join our naturalists on the beach, or discover it on your own!
Enjoy our new clickable tools below that can be downloaded/printed to help you learn about what’s on the beach and how to explore gently. Look for species guides in park kiosks in spring and summer. They are printed on Rite in the Rain paper, which makes them more durable than regular paper if they get wet.
Can’t make these dates? Check our list of low tides below and plan your own walk. Viewing will be good an hour before and after the low tide, which is the number with a negative sign (−) before it. The lower the number is, the lower the tide will be, and the longer you’ll have to explore before the waters come back in. Example: −3.3 ft is a lower tide than −2.6 ft. The lowest tide of the summer at Seahurst is in June: Fri 25 12:07 PM PDT −3.9 ft
Step carefully: Be very cautious when walking on the beach so you don’t trip and fall, or step on animals, their homes, or eggs. Much life is at your feet, and the creatures, shells and even rocks are all important parts of the beach habitat.
Touch with two wet fingers: It is kind to give animals space and watch from a safe distance. Some animals and eggs are too sensitive for handling, but others can be touched gently. If you touch marine organisms, your skin has to be wet. Touching their wet bodies with a dry finger can be very harmful. Using two fingers limits poking with just one. Be extremely gentle with them all. Do not touch crabs bigger than your fist.
Animals stay where you find them: This is important for the safety of everyone. Bend over to look at animals instead of picking them up. Let others know of your discovery and ask them to join you. Marine animals evolved to live in different conditions, so moving small animals even small distances can mean life or death for them, and they may injure themselves trying to escape.
Remove only trash: The one thing we physically take from the beach: TRASH! Leave rocks and shells on the beach since they are current or potential homes for marine organisms and will also break down into sand. Keep all other natural items in their habitat.
Share what you learned! Share your observations, discoveries and ways we can take care of marine life! This helps others learn about these incredible creatures and systems and inspires them to protect marine ecosystems too!
Find dates to get free kiddo kits and download more coloring sheets here!
Learn other easy ways to help your watershed here!