Tidepooling Tips

Wear shoes that have a good grip (no sandals). Sunscreen, a camera and snacks would also be helpful.

Try to step around, not on, reef inhabitants, and please don't kick, poke, remove or in other way injure them.

Please don't throw rocks, shells, sticks or anything else!

Many animals should not be touched. Ask your Naturalist if you'd like to gently touch one or look under rocks. Your Naturalist will know what is okay to touch and will carefully replace rocks so as not to squish anything underneath.

Walk along the edge of the tide pools. If the tops of your shoes are wet, you have gone too deep, and you may be squishing animals living on the bottom that you cannot see.

Leave all the plants and animals as you find them. (Collecting — and even carrying collecting implements such as nets, pails, plastic bags, or shovels — is not allowed.)

Keep a safe distance from the harbor seals. Each year they return to give birth because they feel safe here. You can help keep it this way by staying on the beach side of the orange cones and yellow ropes.

Stay with your group and Naturalist.

Walk when on the reef. It's easy to slip when running.

Stay away from cliff edges and do not climb on the cliffs; landslides are common. Always watch the ocean and be aware of the rising tide.

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