PHOTOS: 2022’s lowest tide draws crowds to West Seattle beaches

1:58 PM: Thanks to Tom Trulin for the photo! Just after noon, as we’ve previewed, the low tide was out to the lowest point of the year, -4.3 feet. The photo is from Lincoln Park, one of two places where Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists have been out to educate shore explorers. If you couldn’t get out today for a look, tomorrow just before 1 pm will bring the second-lowest low tide of the year, out to -4.1 feet. (Got a photo to share from today? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

4:39 PM: Thanks for the additional photos! The next two are from Bruce Gaumond at Constellation Park:

Also from Constellation Park, this one’s by Bonnie Drexler:

Even more from Constellation Park – the next three are by David Hutchinson:

8:35 PM: Even more photos – first, from Rosalie Miller, a gumboot chiton and decorator crab:

From Denee Bragg, who’s been flagging by the northwest end of Constellation Park and reports “It has been the best “office” I’ve worked at in a long time!”

From Eddie, a view of Luna/Anchor Park:

From David Dimmit:

Photographed by Ashwin Moodithaya, a moon snail:

From Dawn Hepburn at Lowman Beach:

Laura White, at Constellation Park, says, “Delightful to see also how respectful everyone was of the animals.” She sent this photo of a young explorer:

Jerry Simmons noted Bey the bald eagle out on the tideflats, with a crow hassling her:

This one’s from Yazmín Penzien:

Thanks again for all the photos!

14 Replies to "PHOTOS: 2022's lowest tide draws crowds to West Seattle beaches"

  • Karen June 15, 2022 (6:09 pm)

    Wonderful, THANKS 👍

  • momosmom June 15, 2022 (6:51 pm)

    Happy to see not one dog running loose on the beach in any of these pictures as in a previous post of the low tides saying there were many on the beach.

  • shed22 June 15, 2022 (7:43 pm)

    Our sealife is such a weird and wonderful, colorful glob of goo. 

  • Marina June 15, 2022 (10:05 pm)

    Baby sea stars about the size of a quarter at Cormorant Cove.

  • Marina June 15, 2022 (10:07 pm)

    Sea stars, sea cucumbers and anemones at Cormorant Cove 

  • Park June 15, 2022 (10:23 pm)

    Q- which park is the best, has the most marine life?thanks

    • Fred June 16, 2022 (6:14 am)

      Lincoln Park was great, as there were multiple Seattle Aquarium volunteers answering questions. https://www.seattleaquarium.org/beach-naturalist-program

    • Patrick H. June 16, 2022 (8:07 am)

      They’re all really good, but each has a unique combination of stuff. For folks who are new to tidepooling I usually recommend Constellation. It has the most varied habitat, and therefore the greatest diversity of species. You’ll also almost always someone there who can id something for you, even if the Beach naturalists aren’t out. However it’s also the busiest, so be ready to share rocks with other people. Emma Scmitz Overlook has some cool bedrock blades to explore, and on low enough tides a forest of sugarwrack kelp, which is really unique. Lincoln Park is great for looking under cobbles, there are lots of eel-like fish called gunnels there, and you can find an amazing variety of smaller stuff if you take the time to search. Happy poolin’!

  • Fred June 16, 2022 (6:13 am)

    I also love the opportunities to see the remains of the old pilings from Luna Park  

  • Wildflower June 16, 2022 (7:52 am)

    Thanks everyone for sharing these amazing photos.

  • Curious George June 16, 2022 (8:17 am)

    What’s the difference between sea stars and star fish?

  • snowskier June 16, 2022 (8:52 am)

    Great shots.  Half day, last day of school.  Can’t wait to explore this afternoon!  We’ll be looking for those rocks we skipped then we’ll skip them farther out again.

  • Gill & Alex June 16, 2022 (11:06 am)

    WOW! Thanks to everyone for sharing all the great photos. This is one of the reasons we live in the Pacific NW.

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