Low-low tides: Why the next few days are excellent for exploring West Seattle’s shore

(WSB photo from earlier this month)

The next two days are your last two chances of the summer to explore the shore during low-low tides. At 10:35 am Thursday and 11:22 am Friday, low tides will be out to -2.1 feet – the last daytime tides that low this year. Not quite as low as the minus-3-foot low tides earlier this summer but low enough for exploring! (If you can’t get out on the beach until the weekend, Saturday’s low-low tide is decent for beachwalking too – -1.5 feet at 12:09 pm.) New around here? A favorite low-tide-exploring spot is Constelltion Park/Richey Viewpoint along Beach Drive south of Alki Point. But tread lightly and take great care with any creatures you see!

David Johansson August 28, 2019 (10:45 pm)

Maybe it would be better for marine life to not have people exploring during low tides. Seems to me the worst idea to go out and walk around on all the exposed sea life, while in such a vulnerable state. Just my thought on the fragility of the tidal organisms.

Maria August 29, 2019 (1:33 pm)

The folks who educate and inspire others to be fascinated by marine life and therefore working to protecting it were once kids who came down at low tide to explore it. We need more people to become appreciative of the outdoor activities and its environment, not less. Societies that don’t respect and protect their environs are those that simply see it as a resource.

sgs August 29, 2019 (7:54 am)

Agreed. There are just too many people now and the “footprint” must have a great impact. It is an excellent educational opportunity to appreciate the life out there, but there seems to be an amazing amount of unawareness or disrespect. Glad for the biologists who are out there educating people.

amused August 29, 2019 (8:23 am)

These comments are just quintessential Seattle. That is all.

Mj August 29, 2019 (12:02 pm)

Its a Seagull feast buffet!

Higginshere August 29, 2019 (1:04 pm)

Enjoy your low-tide experience with a mindful application of beach etiquette.

And please leave the buckets, dogs, and sticks at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaI5HB5O6Zo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1INbqhZN0ZVWGvWSIAkJK-xRLTnrPg7OKRNepMRMhT1bL9a1fvaexZ9ZU

WSB August 29, 2019 (2:10 pm)

Good stuff! Unfortunately the beach naturalist days – which we promote, and include in our calendar and daily highlights, every year – are over until next year. Lots of good advice otherwise!