2026 summer low tide walks
Join us for a guided Low Tide Walk on the beach with PTMSC naturalists.
Explore tide pools and learn how marine organisms are adapted for the challenges and daily extremes of living in the intertidal zone.
Space is limited on the summer low tide walks.
Registration is required to guarantee your place.
Spaces that open up on the day of the event will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note: We are not able to offer refunds for these summer low tide walks in the event you are unable to attend.
Cost
General Public
- Adults: $12
- Youth ages 6-17: $7
- Children 5 and under: free
PTMSC basic and sea star level members
- Adults: $10
- Youth ages 6-17: $5
PTMSC octopus and orca level members
- Adults and youth: free
Where to go
We’ll meet at the Marine Science Center at Fort Worden, Building 502 portico.
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in.
Once you’re on the beach road, it is the second building on the left, past the pier.
Things to know
This event is family-friendly. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Young children not able to walk (especially babies) should be strapped on and not carried.
We recommend weather-appropriate clothing and shoes that can get wet and have good traction for moving around on wet slippery rocks.
We don’t recommend bringing dogs tidepooling.
There will be a short introduction to tidepooling before we all set out for the beach.
Parking – a Discover Pass is required to park at Fort Worden State Park.
The tidepooling beach location is a .4 mile walk from the Marine Science Center portico; closer parking spots are available near the beach.
If you plan to drive closer to the beach, please check in first and stay for the tidepooling introduction.
There is time after the introduction to drive closer to the tidepooling location.
By checking in, we know you are joining the walk and won’t give your spot away.
Resources
Guide to tidepooling
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Here’s a guide on tidepool etiquette so you can observe good manners while you’re in the home of intertidal animals and keep them (and yourself) safe.
NOAA tide predictions for Port Townsend
Check out the tides where you are at the NOAA Tide Predictions website. As well as helping you find great low tides, tide charts help you know when the tide is too high to safely explore some beaches.
Tide pool scavenger hunt
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Explore the beach at low tide with this scavenger hunt!
Remember to be a good tide pool visitor! Watch your step, leave plants and wildlife where you found them, and don’t roll any rocks around.
Low Tide Walk with PTMSC
Mark and Pam Adams joined a Low Tide Walk in the summer of 2023. This is their video!