Tide pool exploration, or “tide pooling,” is a popular activity in San Luis Obispo County that can be fun and educational. Tide pools are small oceanic pools that harbor organisms living in the intertidal shore. Places like Spooner’s Cove, Cayucos, Pirates Cove, Cambria, Shell Beach and Montana De Oro State Park are all popular tide pooling destinations in SLO County.
Laurie McConnico, a professor at Cuesta College specializing in marine science, shared pointers for staying safe during a day at the tide pools. “Never turn your back on the ocean,” she said.
When planning the day for tide pooling, she recommends checking the local tide watch channels and weather reports first, but also “taking time to watch the water before going out.”
“The waves can be unpredictable even if the tide is low,” she said.
Being out during high tide or windy conditions can be dangerous, and it will likely limit visibility in the pools. Branden Clarin of Central Coast Aquarium suggests checking sources like NOAA Tides and Currents before tidepooling to be aware of the tides. To optimize the viewing experience and ensure better safety, go during low tides on a day when the sun is out and the winds are low. “Take it slow, be careful where you step,” McConnico said.
“Low tides happen every month in the one-to-two days before, during and after a new or full moon,” Clarin said. There is not necessarily a time of year when visiting the tide pools is a bad idea, but “The prime tidepooling season is generally from November to May with ‘King tides,’ the lowest of the year, during the winter.”
As exciting as it may be to find cool creatures, McConnico works to educate people about the harm caused to organisms when they are taken out of their environment, such as desiccation stress. Try to admire them with just your eyes and be very gentle if you are going to touch them. Ripping organisms like limpets and seastars off of rocks may cause their “foot” to stick to the rock, ripping it off their body.
“Human engagement with nature is a beautiful thing, but comes with risks such as negatively influencing the ecosystem, so it’s always important to do the least invasive engagement possible,” said Laura Pederson, a member of SLO Surfrider.
You may also come across pools that seem “boring” because they lack movement or bright colors, but refrain from disturbing them. Some organisms are too small or camouflaged to be seen with the naked eye.
Be mindful of what you’re bringing and what you take. It is tempting when you find something cool, like a shell or rock, to want to take it home. McConnico explained that all sizes of shells are important for species like hermit crabs, as they grow and shed their exoskeleton, they will need “the next size up.” Instead, consider taking any trash you see, like food wrappers, cigarettes, bottlecaps, etc., which are commonly found scattered along the shore. Be mindful of the items in your bags and pockets, and be sure you don’t let anything get blown away or left behind.
There are several things to consider if you want to have a safe and efficient day of searching the tide pools.
- Don’t go alone. Bring a friend or go in a group so you can look out for each other if a dangerous situation were to arise.
- Bring tools like a phone, camera or journal to document your findings. You can continue your research after leaving the tide pools.
- Bring a closable bag to pick up litter and keep your belongings safe.
- Take care of yourself: Bring something to keep yourself hydrated, apply sunscreen and McConnico recommends wearing “water shoes or even surf booties” to “protect your toes” and feet from barnacles and other sharp, rocky surfaces.
“In our local shores, you’ll expect to find limpets, abalone, gumboot chiton, small octopus, clingfish, flatworms, several species of starfish (Ochre, Giant Spined, Leather, to name a few), Anemone, Monkeyface prickleback fish, cabezon and rockfish,” Pederson said. McConico added that she has found fish like midshipman, clingfish and sculpin, as well as a variety of birds, harbor seals, colorful nudibranchs and crabs like lined shore crabs and kelp crabs.
A pro-tip shared by Laurie McConnico on spotting sea stars (starfish): “A sea star’s primary food is mussels.” They will stay “just below the mussel beds,” waiting for their next meal.
Exploring like a local means respecting the land so we can preserve it. SLO County is well known for its beauty and environmental diversity. “The best thing we can do to protect our local nearshore ecosystem is learn about it,” Pederson said. “When you understand the delicate balance of our nearshore ecosystem and the human influence that occurs, you’re more mindfully motivated to protect and support it both locally and beyond.”
Have fun taking it all in, and leave the beaches better than you found them.
