Exploring the wonders of local beaches
Stroll along almost any local beach during low tide and you’ll see that the shore is alive!
The Aquarium’s seasonal Beach Naturalist program helps community members learn about and enjoy our vibrant shorelines. Through the program, local experts on the marine environment—beach naturalists—educate members of the public on how to explore shorelines while keeping animals and their homes safe. They might also tell you what sea stars eat, explain why barnacles stand on their heads, describe how moon snails lay their eggs and so much more.
Questions? Please email us at fieldprograms@seattleaquarium.org.
We are currently not accepting new Beach Naturalist applications for 2026. If you are interested in becoming a naturalist, please check back later for more information on when and how to apply!
2026 Beach Naturalist schedule
Click on the beaches below to see when our naturalists will be stationed there!
Des Moines Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, May 17 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.62 at 11:53am |
|
Tuesday, May 19 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-3.61 at 1:28pm |
|
Saturday, June 13 |
9–11:30am |
-2.88 at 10:03am |
|
Tuesday, June 16 |
11am–2pm |
-4.09 at 12:25pm |
|
Sunday, July 12 |
9–11:30am |
-3.09 at 9:45am |
|
Wednesday, July 15 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.35 at 12:12pm |
Golden Gardens
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, May 17 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.62 at 11:53am |
|
Tuesday, May 19 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-3.61 at 1:28pm |
|
Saturday, June 13 |
9–11:30am |
-2.88 at 10:03am |
|
Monday, June 15 |
10am–1pm |
-4.17 at 11:37am |
|
Sunday, July 12 |
9–11:30am |
-3.09 at 9:45am |
|
Tuesday, July 14 |
10am–1pm |
-3.72 at 11:25am |
Lincoln Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday, May 18 |
11am–2pm |
-3.88 at 12:39pm |
|
Sunday, June 14 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.75 at 10:49am |
|
Monday, July 13 |
9:30am–noon |
-3.62 at 10:36am |
Olympic Sculpture Park/Pocket Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, May 16 |
10am–12:30pm |
-2.86 at 11:09am |
|
Sunday, May 17 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.62 at 11:53am |
|
Monday, May 18 |
11am–2pm |
-3.88 at 12:39pm |
|
Tuesday, May 19 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-3.61 at 1:28pm |
|
Saturday, June 13 |
9–11:30am |
-2.88 at 10:03am |
|
Sunday, June 14 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.75 at 10:49am |
|
Monday, June 15 |
10am–1pm |
-4.17 at 11:37am |
|
Tuesday, June 16 |
11am–2pm |
-4.09 at 12:25pm |
|
Sunday, July 12 |
9–11:30am |
-3.09 at 9:45am |
|
Monday, July 13 |
9:30am–noon |
-3.62 at 10:36am |
|
Tuesday, July 14 |
10am–1pm |
-3.72 at 11:25am |
|
Wednesday, July 15 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.35 at 12:12pm |
Richmond Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, May 16 |
10am–12:30pm |
-2.86 at 11:09am |
|
Monday, May 18 |
11am–2pm |
-3.88 at 12:39pm |
|
Sunday, June 14 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.75 at 10:49am |
|
Tuesday, June 16 |
11am–2pm |
-4.09 at 12:25pm |
|
Monday, July 13 |
9:30am–noon |
-3.62 at 10:36am |
|
Wednesday, July 15 |
10:30am–1:30pm |
-3.35 at 12:12pm |
Seahurst Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, May 16 |
10am–12:30pm |
-2.86 at 11:09am |
|
Monday, June 15 |
10am–1pm |
-4.17 at 11:37am |
|
Tuesday, July 14 |
10am–1pm |
-3.72 at 11:25am |
Beach Resources
Meet our beach neighbors
Our field guides include photos and detailed descriptions of nearly 50 commonly found intertidal residents.
Field guides
This color photo guide includes animals commonly seen on Puget Sound beaches and here at the Aquarium. Available in the following languages:
Beach etiquette guides
Follow these guidelines to keep yourself and the animals on our beaches safe.
Video guides
Our video guides will help you plan your visit to the beach and identify common plants and animals when you get there!
Thank you to our sponsors
Island Funds
MMS Giving Foundation
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
The City of Burien
The City of Des Moines
The City of Shoreline
