Beach Naturalists Return for Summer Low Tide Adventures

Beach Naturalists at Low Tides: July 11–16 and August 10–12

Beach naturalists from the Environmental Science Center and Seattle Aquarium will be available at area beaches on low tide days in July and August. Species typically visible only during these exceptionally low tides include moon snails, sea anemones, and crabs. Bring boots to walk on the mud and in the shallow water, where you may see even more marine life than on the sand.

Any of the Highline-area beaches are great to visit at low tide. My favorite is Seahurst Beach. It has the best grouping of rocks that provide shelter for marine life. But low tide is also great at Three Tree Point, Saltwater State Park, and Dash Point.

The Redondo Pier pilings also provide excellent shelter for sea creatures. The MaST Center sits on top of these pilings, making it easy to combine a low tide visit with a stop at the aquarium. The MaST Center is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. year-round and Sundays in July and August from noon to 4 p.m.

Seahurst Beach

Environmental Science Center naturalists, funded through sponsorships from the City of Burien and 4Culture, will be at Seahurst Beach on the following dates (ESC website):

July

• July 11: 8:30–10:30 a.m. (Tide: -2.3 ft.)
• July 12: 9:00–11:30 a.m. (Tide: -3.2 ft.)
• July 13: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Tide: -3.7 ft.)
• July 14: 10:00 a.m.–1 p.m. (Tide: -3.8 ft.)
  Seattle Aquarium naturalists will also be at Seahurst during this time.
• July 15: 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (Tide: -3.5 ft.)
• July 16: Noon–2 p.m. (Tide: -2.7 ft.)

August

• August 10: 9:00–11 a.m. (Tide: -2.4 ft.)
• August 11: 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Tide: -2.6 ft.)
• August 12: 10:00 a.m.–Noon (Tide: -2.5 ft.)

Des Moines Beach Park

Seattle Aquarium naturalists will also be at Des Moines Beach Park on two dates in July:

Sunday, July 12

• 9:00–11:30 a.m.
• Low tide: -3.09 ft. at 9:45 a.m.

Wednesday, July 15

• 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Low tide: -3.35 ft. at 12:12 p.m.

More Information and Other Seattle-Area Locations

For more information, including field guides, check out the naturalist program page.

Between July 11 and 15, Seattle Aquarium naturalists will also be at:

• Lincoln Beach at Lincoln Park (West Seattle)
• Golden Gardens (Ballard)
• Olympic Sculpture Park (Seattle)
• Richmond Beach (Shoreline)

The Seattle Aquarium does not currently list any August beach naturalist locations.

Photos from 2026 Low Tide Days

I visited several of the low tide days in June. Here are a few photos showing what you may see: