Between Saturday and Wednesday, tides in Puget Sound will be between -3 and -4 feet, providing a rare opportunity to see marine life up close.
SEATTLE — Western Washington will experience low tide in the coming days, giving residents a chance to see Puget Sound marine life that is usually hidden.
Tides are reported to be -3 to -4 feet below normal along the coast Saturday through Wednesday National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Tides are expected to reach -3.07 feet at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16; and -3.82 feet at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. The lowest tide level will be -4.04 feet on Monday, May 18, around 12:30 p.m. The tide is expected to be -3.73 feet on Tuesday, May 19, around 1:25 pm. The tide is also expected to be -2.97 feet on Wednesday, May 20, around 2:20 pm.
In the Seattle area, the best places to go for a low-tide beach walk to view marine life include Seattle’s Alki Beach, Kajik Park, Lincoln Park, and Golden Gardens. Other locations include Richmond Beach in Shoreline; Des Moines Beach and Saltwater State Park; Dash Point State Park in Federal Way; and Irvine Beach in Tacoma.
What is the reason for the low tide?
Tides are the rise and fall of the ocean, driven primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their relative positions to the earth. These tides are thought to be very long waves that move through Earth’s oceans.
When a wave reaches the highest point on the coast, it’s a high tide. When waves reach the lowest point on the coast, it’s low tide.
Lower-than-normal tides reveal areas and ecosystems normally inundated by cold, salty Puget Sound waters, providing unique opportunities to observe tide pools and marine life.
Tidepool Etiquette
The Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist Program has local experts at various locations to answer questions and help people safely explore marine habitats at low tide—and Puget Sound is offering multiple opportunities this weekend.
To keep you and life on the beach safe, local experts recommend:
- Walk carefully; there is life beneath your feet.
- Gently touch the sea creatures with a wet finger.
- Observe where the animal is and avoid picking them up.
- Only rocks small enough to move with one hand can be moved. Carefully return the rocks to the exact location where you found them.
- Please do not remove any natural items from the beach. Many of the beaches here are protected by law.
- Carry a small trash bag to pick up trash.
