Beach Naturalist program

Stroll along almost any local beach during low tide and you’ll see that the shore is alive!

Not only can you discover Puget Sound’s multitude of marine plants and animals—you may also encounter Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists: advocates for the living wonders on our shorelines who are eager to share their knowledge.

The Beach Naturalist program runs on low-tide days throughout the summer and on select winter evenings. The amazing people who operate it are local residents who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 200 people have volunteered to help community members 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. Scroll down to see our low-tide programming for 2023!

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.

An adult Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist kneeling down on a beach at low tide, pointing to a sea star on the beach and talking to a young girl.

Thank You!

The Seattle Aquarium's Beach Naturalist program has concluded for the summer. Thank you to all of our volunteers and community members for making this program a success! Check back in the winter for updates regarding our Winter Evening Beach Walks.

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

¿Planeas un viaje a la playa? ¡Consejos para visitar la 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.

Beach Naturalists leaning over a tide pool

Beach Naturalists talking to children on the beach

After Hours: Halloween

Put on your coolest costume and head down to our Halloween bash! Adults will take over the entire Seattle Aquarium for this 21+ event, featuring DJs, live music, a costume contest, opportunities to experience our habitats at night, a variety of Halloween-themed activities throughout the Aquarium, a no-host bar, food available for purchase and more.

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A large school of fish swimming in the sea.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Calling all marine-loving teens! The Seattle Aquarium invites all students ages 12–18 to the 2023 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit. Come learn about conservation work from local experts and connect with other passionate young people.

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Animal Crossing New Horizons and the Seattle Aquarium

Saturday, October 7 — Sunday, December 31

Animal Crossing: New Horizons X Seattle Aquarium Partnership

In partnership with Nintendo of America, some of your favorite characters from the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game on the Nintendo Switch system are embarking on a new adventure at the Seattle Aquarium this fall. It’s the first aquarium experience like this in North America!

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