Beach Naturalist program
When May—August 2022
Stroll along almost any local beach during low tide and you’ll see that the shore is alive!
Plus, in late spring and summer, not only will you witness Puget Sound’s multitude of marine plants and animals, but you’ll also see beach naturalists: advocates for these living wonders sharing their knowledge with beachgoers.
Beach naturalists are local residents who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 200 have volunteered to help people learn about and enjoy our shorelines. Beach naturalists know their beaches: they can help you explore gently to keep animals and their homes safe; tell you what sea stars eat; explain why barnacles stand on their heads; describe how moon snails lay their eggs; and so much more. Use the drop-down menu below for our spring and summer schedule at a beach near you.
Ask a beach naturalist! Need help identifying something? Email a photo to beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org and a beach naturalist will respond to you as soon as we can.
Download the 2022 Beach Naturalist schedule and program flyer (PDF)
Beach Naturalist 2022 Schedule
Richmond Beach, Carkeek Beach, Golden Gardens, Constellation/Richey Viewpoint (South Alki), Lincoln Beach, Seahurst Beach, Saltwater State Park
View locations on Google Maps:
- Carkeek Park
- Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki)
- Golden Gardens Park
- Lincoln Park
- Richmond Beach
- Saltwater State Park
- Seahurst Park
| Date | Time | Low Tide |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, May 29 | 10am−noon | -1.43 at 11:09am |
| Monday, May 30 | 10:30am−12:30pm | -1.76 at 11:39am |
| Tuesday, June 14 | 9:45am−1:15pm | -3.97 at 11:22am |
| Wednesday, June 15 | 10am−2pm | -4.28 at 12:09pm |
| Thursday, June 16 | 11am−3pm | -4.11 at 12:58pm |
| Friday, June 17 | 11:45am−3:15pm | -3.47 at 1:48pm |
| Saturday, June 18 | 1−4pm | -2.42 at 2:40pm |
| Wednesday, July 13 Note: Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki) location canceled for July 13 |
9:30am−1pm | -3.99 at 11:06am |
| Thursday, July 14 Note: Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki) location canceled for July 14 |
10am−2pm | -4.04 at 11:55am |
| Friday, July 15 Note: Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki) location canceled for July 15 |
10:45am−2:15pm | -3.63 at 12:44pm |
| Saturday, July 16 Note: Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki) location canceled for July 16 |
noon−3pm | -2.77 at 1:32pm |
| Sunday, July 17 Note: Constellation/Charles Richey Viewpoint (South Alki) location canceled for July 17 |
1:15−3:15pm | -1.48 at 2:20pm |
| Thursday, August 11 | 9:30am−12:30pm | -3.15 at 10:53am |
| Friday, August 12 | 10:15am−1:15pm | -2.95 at 11:41am |
| Saturday, August 13 | 11am−1:30pm | -2.28 at 12:28pm |
Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Des Moines Beach, Redondo Beach, Dash Point State Park
View locations on Google Maps:
| Date | Time | Low Tide |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 14 | 9:45am−12:45pm | -3.97 at 11:22am |
| Wednesday, June 15 | 10am−1:30pm | -4.28 at 12:09pm |
| Thursday, June 16 Please note: Due to staff shortages we will not have Beach Naturalists at Redondo Beach on June 16) |
11am−2:30pm | -4.11 at 12:58pm |
| Friday, June 17 | 11:45am–2:45pm | -3.47 at 1:48pm |
| Saturday, June 18 | 1−3:30pm | -2.42 at 2:40pm |
| Wednesday, July 13 | 9:30am−12:30pm | -3.99 at 11:06am |
| Thursday, July 14 | 10am−1:30pm | -4.04 at 11:55am |
| Friday, July 15 | 10:45am−1:45pm | -3.63 at 12:44pm |
| Saturday, July 16 | noon−2:30pm | -2.77 at 1:32pm |
| Thursday, August 11 | 9:30am−noon | -3.15 at 10:53am |
| Friday, August 12 | 10:15am−12:45pm | -2.95 at 11:41am |
| Saturday, August 13 | 11am−1pm | -2.28 at 12:28pm |
Meet our beach neighbors
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
Videos
Beach Naturalist video guides
Planning a visit to the beach
Prepare for your beach visit
Learn about eelgrass
Sea Stars on the beach
Anemones at the beach
Learn about seaweed
Videoguías de Naturalistas de playa
Prepárate para tu visita a la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Conoce la hierba marina con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Encuentra estrellas de mar en la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Encuentra anémonas en la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Descubre los diferentes tipos de algas marinas con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Interested in becoming a beach naturalist? Complete our volunteer information request form.
Volunteer information request form
If you have questions about the Beach Naturalist program, email beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 693-6214.
Sponsors
- King County Flood Control District
- Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council
- MMS Giving Foundation
- Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
- The Boeing Company
- The City of Burien
- The City of Des Moines
- The City of Shoreline
- Washington State Parks
- Watershed Ecosystem Forum for WRIA 9
