Tidepools!

How to Tidepool at Asilomar

How to be a Tidepool Pro at Asilomar State Beach

When visiting tide pools, it is best to be prepared, make safety a priority, and remember our tide pool etiquette!

Monterey Bay weather can be cold so dress in layers, wear closed-toe shoes with good tread and water proof if possible, and keep these 5 tide pool tips in mind... 

Rules of the Pools

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 #1 Know before you go! Safety first! Check local tide charts to see when the lowest tides will be. (You can look online or download an app. U.S. Harbors and NOAA are two great places to look.) It is best to begin tide pooling as the tide goes out so that you have longer to enjoy the pools before the tide rises again.Check for current weather and safety conditions. If there is a high surf advisory or bad weather, it’s not a good day for the tidepools! Attend children at all times!

 #2 Always keep an eye on the ocean! Don’t turn your back on the ocean and look up from time to time so that you can see any “sneaker” waves that may come in higher stronger than thers. Make sure you are aware of the tide as it rises so that you don’t get stuck on rocks surrounded by water. Learn more about ocean safety here: Ocean Safety. 

 #3 What lives in the pools stays in the pools! Look but don't touch, please! All rocks, plants, animals, and even shells are an important part of Asilomar’s ecosystem. You can respect nature hard at work by not prying, poking, or picking up or throwing these animals (don't place in nets or buckets.) Handling and removing from pools can result in death! Be a hero and leave them in their home to live! Learn more about this marine protected area here: Asilomar State Marine Reserve

 #4 Do not turn over or remove rocks- Tidepool creatures use rocks as shelter from sun and predators. Moving rocks can crush hidden creatures below or leave them exposed and vulnerable.

 #5 Watch your step! For your safety and the safety of tidepool creatures... Walk slowly, look carefully, wear sturdy shoes, and keep hands free for balance. Try to step on bare rocks whenever possible. Keep an eye out for sea creatures that blend into the rocks to avoid stepping on them. Rocks covered in sea weed are slippery and may be covering unseen creatures.