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.
Thank you for joining us on the beach!
The 2025 Beach Naturalist season has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who joined us on a beach this summer!
Become a naturalist
Join our vibrant and committed beach naturalist community! For the past 12 years, our volunteers have provided free, accessible marine education and conservation programming across King County. Our goal is to foster empathy and connection to the intertidal ecosystem through interpretation and presence on our local beaches.
Interesting in joining? Fill out our volunteer interest form below!
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
King County Flood Control District
Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council
MMS Giving Foundation
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
The City of Burien
The City of Des Moines
The City of Shoreline
Washington State Parks
Watershed Ecosystem Forum for WRIA 9
Carkeek Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, May 27 |
10am–1pm |
-3.98 at 11:35am |
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
Charles Richey Viewpoint Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday, May 26 |
9–11:30am |
-3.37 at 10:50am |
|
Tuesday, May 27 |
10am–1pm |
-3.98 at 11:35am |
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
|
Wednesday, July 23 |
9–11:30am |
-2.94 at 10:20am |
|
Thursday, July 24 |
9am–noon |
-2.94 at 11:07am |
Dash Point Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, May 28 |
11am–2pm |
-4.05 at 12:20pm |
|
Wednesday, June 25 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.87 at 11:19am |
|
Thursday, July 24 |
9am–noon |
-2.94 at 11:07am |
|
Friday, July 25 |
10am–1pm |
-2.63 at 11:52am |
Des Moines Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
Golden Gardens
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, May 27 |
10am–1pm |
-3.98 at 11:35am |
|
Wednesday, May 28 |
11am–2pm |
-4.05 at 12:20pm |
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
|
Friday, July 25 |
10am–1pm |
-2.63 at 11:52am |
Lincoln Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
Olympic Sculpture Park/Pocket Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Thursday, May 29 |
Noon–2pm |
-3.64 at 1:08pm |
|
Tuesday, June 24 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.65 at 10:32am |
|
Wednesday, June 25 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.87 at 11:19am |
|
Wednesday, July 23 |
9–11:30am |
-2.94 at 10:20am |
|
Thursday, July 24 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-2.94 at 11:07am |
|
Friday, July 25 |
10am–1pm |
-2.63 at 11:52am |
Redondo Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday, May 26 |
9–11:30am |
-3.37 at 10:50am |
|
Tuesday, June 24 |
9:30am–12:30pm |
-3.65 at 10:32am |
Saltwater State Park
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Thursday, June 26 |
10am–1pm |
-3.69 at 12:05pm |
Seahurst Beach
| Date | Time | Low tide |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, May 28 |
11am–2pm |
-4.05 at 12:20pm |
|
Saturday, June 28 |
11:30am–2:30pm |
-2.28 at 1:37pm |
|
Friday, July 25 |
10am–1pm |
-2.63 at 11:52am |
