What is Tidepooling?

Tidepooling or tide pooling is an outdoor activity which involves visiting the rocky intertidal zone along a coastline. The intertidal zone is the region where the ocean meets the land, meaning that during high tides and rough weather, the area is covered in sea water, and during low tides, the water recedes. As a result, the intertidal zone hosts a number of fascinating organisms which have specifically adapted to the unique conditions that can be found there. When people go tidepooling, they explore the area, looking at the organisms they find and often photographing them.

Rocky coastlines create the conditions for tidepooling, with depressions in the rock forming pools which hold seawater after the ocean recedes, allowing animals to survive until the rising tide floods the area again. Each of these pools can form a microcosm of life, hosting incredibly diverse creatures and seaweed. Tidepooling can be fun for people of all ages, as a number of interesting creatures including limpets, mussels, young crustaceans like crabs, sea anemones, starfish, barnacles, urchins, sea cucumbers, and chitons can be found in tidepools.

When going tidepooling, there are a few things to remember. The first is that the ocean can be dangerous, and it is important to check a tide chart to ensure that you go tidepooling during a period of low tide. It is also a good idea to wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes with good traction to avoid slipping on the rocks, and tidepoolers should always face the ocean, as sneaker waves can pop up at any time. Tidepoolers may also want to carry a nature guide to identify the creatures they see, along with a camera to document the experience.

It is also a good idea to protect the animals in the tidepools. Many of the organisms in tidepools will die if they are exposed to prolonged sunlight, so if you move a rock or a piece of seaweed to see something more clearly, put it back when you are done. Tidepoolers should never try to pry organisms off the rocks, as this can hurt or kill them, and they should watch their step to avoid crushing the animals which call the intertidal zone home.

Looking at marine life on a tidepooling trip can be a great introduction to nature for younger people, as it will undoubtedly pique their interest in what lies deeper in the ocean. It can also be a good starting point for a conversation about conservation and the diversity of life. For older tidepoolers, tidepooling can be an interesting and fun way to get outside for a few hours, and to get acquainted with the life in a place they are visiting, or their own back yard.