Tide pooling is an essential part of visiting the coast in the Pacific Northwest. If you can find a good location and visit at low tides, you’ll have hours of free entertainment on your hands.

Below is everything you need to know to start tide pooling!

Check the tides

First, you need to time the tide right. Check the NOAA tide predictions for locations you’re interested in tide pooling at. For the best tide pooling, visit when tides are below -1. Arrive one hour before low tide is expected for the best conditions. After the tide starts coming in, the tide pools will become muddy looking as incoming waves disturb the pools.

Tide pool safety

For you

Keep an eye on the ocean

Do not turn your back to the ocean — there are sneaker waves! These waves are much larger than the other incoming waves and can sweep you into the sea. Watch the ocean and look for changes in the surf to spot sneaker waves before they reach the beach.

Tide traps

Some beaches have tide traps — areas with obstacles you can only go around at low tide. Once the tide comes back in, you can’t make it back around the obstacle. Research areas you’re interested in tide pooling and always monitor the tide.

A cave at Shi Shi Beach that you can only reach at low tide

Shoes

Tide pool areas are slippery, especially if rocks are covered in seaweed. It’s best to observe pools from the sand but you should also wear shoes with a good grip. Rain boots are our first choice here, but waterproof hiking boots, or close-toed water shoes work well, too. Since tide pools are in rocky areas, don’t go barefoot or wear sandals.

Click here for an Oregon coast packing list and here an Olympic National Park packing list.

Be prepared to get wet

Whether you plan on getting in the water or not, plan as if you’ll be getting wet. Pack a towel and a change of clothes and shoes in the car just in case you get splashed.

Bring layers

Beaches here in the Pacific Northwest usually aren’t very warm and tend to be chilly in the mornings and evenings. Bring warmer layers in case it’s colder than expected.

For the animals

To touch or not to touch?

Whether or not you should touch some of the animals in tide pools depends on the area. Research rules in the area you’re tide pooling in beforehand.

Okay to touch

In the Pacific Northwest, it’s usually okay to touch most animals. When touching, get your hand wet first, and touch gently with one finger. Do not poke, prod, or pry animals off a surface.

Our favorite animal to touch is the sea anemone when it’s open in the water. Its tentacles will stick to your fingers!

Sea anemones preparing for lower tides by pulling in their tentacles. Look closely here, some caught a meal!

Do NOT touch

Starfish

Touching starfish is how the sea star wasting disease spreads. This disease started in 2013, affecting 20 species of starfish, and the starfish are just now beginning to come back to the Pacific Northwest. Please refrain from touching starfish!

Crabs

Pick up a crab and you might get pinched. Hermit crabs tend to be a bit more friendly, but hold them close to the water and let them go if they show signs of distress.

Jellyfish

These can sting!

Barnacles

These are safe to touch, but they’re sharp. Beware of slipping near them because they will cut you.

Animals to look for:

Tidepool sculpin (fish)
Snails
Clams
Mussels
Barnacles
Crabs

Hermit crabs
Sea cucumbers
Sea anemones
Sea urchins
Chiton

Can you find two chiton here? Need a hint? They are both on the largest rocks in the photo.

Nudibranchs (these are small — about the size of a fingernail)
Limpets
Starfish (don’t touch these — it spreads sea star wasting disease)

Jellyfish
Octopus (on rare occasions)

Tide pool etiquette

Go slowly

Walk carefully, be mindful of where you’re stepping and never walk in the tide pools. Slow down at each tide pool to notice smaller animals. You’ll see so much more if you take your time.

Keep pets leashed

If the area you’re tide pooling at is dog friendly, keep them leashed and out of the tide pools.

Leave what you find

Everything is part of the ecosystem here. Please do not collect plants or animals, dead or alive.

Pack trash out

Of course you should pack out any trash you bring in, but if you find garbage on the beach, pack it out, too! Keeping our shores clean is a community effort.

Do not feed the wildlife

Feeding the wildlife can disturb their natural hunting and foraging patterns. Please refrain from feeding birds and other animals.

Where to tide pool

Beaches with rock formations have the best tide pools. If you’re tide pooling in a state or national park, research if they have private or ranger-led tours for the best experience.