Tide Pool Safety and Etiquette

Please remember when visiting tide pools to respect the local regulations about touching and handling the plants and animals. It is always best not to touch or disturb the animals in any way. By following these guidelines it will help preserve the tide pools and marine life for all to see. Many of the tide pools are located within Marine Protected Areas or MPAs. These are areas that have special regulations regarding the handling of the plants and animals. When in doubt, don’t touch or disturb the animals.

Tide pools can also be dangerous. Most all of the rocks are very slippery and even experience tide pool visitors can slip and fall on Occassion. I have lost count of how many times I have “lost my balance” and tumbled onto the rocks and ended up with some scratches and bruises as a result. Also remember to always respect the ocean, always watch for waves and make sure you know how to get back to safety if needed.

Tide Pool Videos

This page has a link to eight tide pool videos that talk about the various types of plants and animals commonly found in tide pools.