Intertidal

The area of the shoreline that is exposed to the air at low tide and covered by water at high tide.

Intertidal

Trails

Bird Island Trail

South Shore Trail

Species

Several aggregating anemones clustered on a rocky tidepool surface, their tentacles spread open among small shells and bits of algae

Aggregating Anemone

A cluster of articulated coralline algae with pinkish-red, branching fronds growing on a rocky underwater surface alongside small snails.

Articulated Coralline Algae

An orange bat star resting on a rocky tidepool surface above seaweed and an anemone

Bat Star

A black abalone with a dark, oval shell resting on a rocky, algae-covered tidepool surface, its muscular foot slightly visible along the shell’s edge

Black Abalone

A black oystercatcher standing on a rocky shoreline with ocean waves behind it, showing its dark plumage, bright orange bill, and pink legs

Black Oystercatcher

A close-up view of many small black turban snails clustered together on wet rocks, showing their dark spiral shells with lighter tips.

Black Turban Snail

Black-crowned night heron and chick

Black-crowned Night Heron

A blueband hermit crab emerging from a black-and-white snail shell on a rocky tidepool surface, its red antennae and blue-banded legs visible

Blueband Hermit Crab

Clusters of brown sea palm algae with tall, palm-like fronds stand upright on wave-swept rocky shoreline, their stems anchored tightly to the rock.

Brown Sea Palm

A dense cluster of California mussels attached to a rocky surface in the intertidal zone, exposed at low tide.

California Mussels

Close-up view of feather boa kelp draped across coastal rocks, showing long, dark brown fronds with many small blades lining each side.

Feather Boa Kelp

A giant green anemone with bright green tentacles arranged in a circular pattern around its center, resting on a pink and sandy tidepool surface.

Giant Green Anemone

harbor seal with speckled gray fur lifts its head above calm blue water, its round eyes and whiskers clearly visible as it swims near the surface.

Harbor Seal

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Lined Shore Crab

Pelagic Cormorant in breeding plumage

Pelagic Cormorant

Close-up underwater image of a purple sea urchin with long spines resting on a rocky, algae-covered ocean floor.

Purple Sea Urchin

Close-up view of rock weed, a brown intertidal algae with flat, branching fronds and small, air-filled bladders, attached to coastal rocks.

Rock Weed

A rough limpet clings to a wet, brown rock surface in the intertidal zone. Its oval, ribbed shell is brown and white, blending into the textured rock around it.

Rough Limpet

A bright yellow sea lemon nudibranch with a bumpy, textured surface rests on a rocky, algae-covered tide pool floor. Its frilly gills are visible near the back of its body.

Sea Lemon

Bright green sea lettuce algae growing in shallow intertidal pools among rocks, with sunlight reflecting off the water.

Sea Lettuce

A dense mat of long, bright green blades of surf grass grows among brown and red seaweed in the shallow intertidal zone, with water flowing gently over the plants.

Surf Grass

A turkey vulture standing beside a carcass on muddy ground, showing its dark brown body, featherless red head, and hooked beak.

Turkey Vulture

Videos

Black Oystercatchers Off Cannery Point

Como Explorar los Charcos de Marea con Seguridad

Hermit Crabs

How to Safely Explore Tidepools

Intertidal Encounter with the Bat Star

Ochre Sea Star at Whalers Cove

Preparing to Explore Tidepools

Purple Sea Urchins Part 1

Purple Sea Urchins Part 2

Tide Pool Etiquette

What Causes Ocean Tides?