California's alluring Mendocino Coast claims one of the richest locations for tide pool viewing in the state, with numerous parks that provide prime opportunities for exploring these curious, other-worldly habitats!
We spend just about every especially low "negative tide" (when the waterline dips below sea level) at the beach, engaging our curiosity and experiencing our natural world--eagerly learning, passionately nerding, thoroughly thriving, and dropping our jaw in wonder at every turn!
That said, this environment is an unforgiving one--one that should be deeply respected, sought to be understood, and handled with extreme sensitivity! The dangers present in the intertidal zone are very real--and, as guests in these sensitive habitats, it is our responsibility to arrive fully prepared to proceed with the utmost care and caution.
Below you will find our "RULES" and "SUGGESTIONS" for a successful day tide pooling here on the glorious Mendocino Coast. We hope these will help ensure safety for humans and marine organisms alike!
RULES
Consult your local tide table. A “negative” tide (when the waterline dips below sea level) is best for tide pooling adventures. There are many websites one can use to check for low tide in advance of visiting the beach, and a simple Google search, including the location (such as “Mendocino tide table”), will bring up options. Along the Mendocino Coast, a tide that is at least -0.5” will expose pools, and a -1.5” to -2” tide tends the best opportunities for exposed tide pool beds.
Check for any emergency alerts. Eliminate unforeseen dangers by searching for any weather and/or sea-related warnings before departure. Whenever possible, weather websites (such as the Weather Channel) will post warnings for unpredictable natural dangers, such as high possibilities for rip-tides, sneaker waves, etc. Be sure to input the zip code of the beach you are heading to (or the nearest town). When one or more of these warnings are in place, one should consider a change of plans.
Wear appropriate footwear. We recommend rain boots or waders with heavy tread and avoiding shoes that leave the toes unprotected. Seawater along the Northern California Coast is very cold and its important to preserve body temperature, even if just to ensure a comfortable experience. Waders and rain boots can keep explorers dry while providing warmth and, typically, adequate tread. (Our “Amazon Storefront” features the tide pool gear we recommend and are currently using ourselves.) Note that there are more numerous hazards in stepping through this environment than any other environment we are aware of in the natural world.
Visually scan the tide pool field and plan your exit before entering. You DO NOT want the tide to come in and trap you anywhere, ever. Scanning the terrain and planning your route in advance can help avoid the potential for that kind of disaster.
Tread lightly. You are exploring terrain that is rich with delicate lifeforms! Try to step on bare rocks whenever possible. Many sea creatures are very adept at camouflage—so good that we might just mistake them for a rock. Calculate each step with precision so as not to be deceived by a particularly flawless disguise. An easy way to do this is to map out 5-10 foot holds at a time; take those steps, then restart the process.
Keep your eyes on your feet while walking. It’s very easy to get distracted by an unusual sea creature and it only takes one misstep to fall—or trample an innocent life form! An excited misstep involving a side glance is the primary reason we find ourselves losing balance these days. This should also apply to any bluff exploration, as some bluffs can be unnoticeably undercut due to erosion and could give way at any moment if too much extra weight is added on top of it. Take a LOOK, not a tumble!
Do not move wildlife or heavy rocks. Rocks are homes and sea life is sensitive! It’s important to leave the environment as it was found. Life is challenging in the intertidal zone, and there is a high likelihood that animals found in the wild may be eating, laying eggs, or simply preserving energy—all important, and difficult, tasks in an environment where the relationship of predator and prey is nearly palpable at every turn.
Be aware of your surroundings. Never turn your back on the ocean. It only takes one violent wave to sweep a person out to sea. You might also like to consider keeping your volume to a minimum and respecting the experience of others.
Adhere to park rules and take away knowledge and photographs, not souvenirs. Please be respectful! You are a guest in this habitat. Pack out anything you pack in. If you are someone who has a tendency to bring home some of the beach with you, be sure to make yourself aware of related parks rules. Note that many parks and preserves do not allow collecting, including shells.
Keep a distance from marine mammals and nesting birds. Legally speaking, in California, by land, you must stay at least 150 feet away from marine mammals and nesting sea birds; by sea, that distance is 300 feet. (Learn more here.)
SUGGESTIONS
Learn about what you’re seeing. We think nerding out on some tide pool knowledge is simply the bee’s knees. The astoundingly complex variety of organism morphologies, functions, interactions/relationships, and more, sparks an insatiable thirst for further understanding. It feels like there is always something new to learn—and that something often makes our jaw drop. The transcending experience of thorough wonder that results from the experience of learning, we feel, is well worth the pursuit! (Our “Resources” page can help get you started.)
Take a pocket identification guide with you. For local use, we feel strongly that our waterproof Mendocino Coast identification field guide—featuring 132 crisp color photographs of locally encountered sea creatures—is the best on the market. (Learn more here.)
Keep your hands free. Making three points of contact with the rocks around you will often be required to safely maneuver from place to place.
Get to know the textures of the organisms around you. Having a general awareness of the textures presented by the organisms in this environment can help keep you safe. For example, some seaweeds can be surprisingly slippery—like “Black Tar Spot” (the crustose form of “Turkish Washcloth”), which covers everything with a dark film that will challenge any boot tread. It is unquestionably one of the top causes for falls. (See our blog on this topic: "Black Tar Spot: the West Coast Tide Pooler's Worst Enemy".) The worst part is that this particular algae is very similar in color to the rocks they coat, making them relatively difficult to make out to the untrained eye. Another organism, the “Gooseneck Barnacle,” which often lives attached to rock faces where one might be tempted to grab on for a hand-hold, can have very sharp ends capable of breaking skin.
1) Black Tar Spot algae on rocks; 2) California Mussel with sharp Gooseneck Barnacle; 3) Slippery seaweed with a small open foothold.
Check a map for return directions home before leaving home. Some beaches are located where there is weak, or no cell phone reception. We have found it can help to map out directions from your beach destination back to your home address before leaving home and recording the information as a screenshot, or in your notes, for later use.
Bring water and a snack in the car. Days spent exploring tide pools can be lengthy and physically demanding on the body! You may work up thirst or an appetite.
Share photographs of your finds on iNaturalist. Contribute to citizen science by uploading photos of the creatures you’ve found to iNaturalist.org (check out our “Resources” page for more information).
Thanks for reading! We hope this helps you have a magical experience.
Think of something we missed? Please chime in and add your tips to the comments!
Comments