May 27, 2025 - News

Beachcombers delight: Seattle's tide pools exposed

Christine Clarridge

People walking on a beach shrouded with mist. — Super low tides this week are turning Washington beaches into long rolling sandscapes, perfect for strolls and tide pool treasure hunts. Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images

Seattle and the Puget Sound region will see some of the lowest tides of the year Wednesday and Thursday around 1pm, according to NOAA tide predictions.

Why it matters: The receding waters offer a unique opportunity for beachcombing and tide pooling, exposing marine life like sea stars, moon snails and anemones that are typically hidden under the surface.

State of play: The Seattle Aquarium's Beach Naturalist program will be holding guided tours at Dash Point, Golden Gardens and Seahurst parks on Wednesday, and at Olympic Sculpture Park on Thursday.

Between the lines: These extreme low tides — known as syzygy tides — occur when the Earth, Moon and Sun align during new and full Moon phases, amplifying gravitational pull and leading to higher high tides and lower low tides, per NOAA.

The bottom line: Tread lightly to protect marine habitats during exploration.

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Beachcombers delight: Seattle's tide pools exposed

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