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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Otter, dining at the beach
June 7, 2025 11:02 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Mara Jacroux for sharing photos of a river otter having dinner on the beach at Lincoln Park last night.

Mara said some onlookers suggested sending to WSB to share with the community – thank you! If you don’t know much about river otters – who, despite their name, frequent salt-water Puget Sound – check out this fact sheet about coexisting with them.)

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FOLLOWUP: Is added Alki Avenue parking a done deal? What does ‘additional outreach’ mean? Here’s how SDOT replied
June 2, 2025 8:56 pm
|      89 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos, this afternoon)

After reading our coverage of last week’s SDOT announcement about adding 150 parking spaces along Alki Avenue after the conversion of angled parking to parallel parking is done, a nearby resident asked us whether this was a “done deal.” The language on the “fact sheet” provided by SDOT last week includes this paragraph:

…Re-establishing daytime on-street parking is proposed for the west/ water side of Alki Avenue SW, between the 1200 and 1700 blocks, where the street is wide enough. This would help offset the reduced parking at Duwamish Head and meet increased parking demand during summers. Changes could be installed in the summer of 2025. …

But also this:

Additional Alki Avenue SW outreach is planned for later this summer. We’ll engage the community to address questions and take feedback before finalizing and implementing a design.

So we asked SDOT two things today: #1, is the added street parking in the 1200 to 1700 blocks a “done deal,” and #2, what kind of “additional … outreach” is planned – for example, will there be a community meeting?

Regarding “is it a done deal?” the answer wasn’t clear:

Before installing the second phase of this project, we would like to hear how people feel about the change and any specific benefits or challenges that re-establishing parking on the water side of Alki Avenue SW might bring.

Regarding “additional outreach,” SDOT says “no meetings are planned”:

We appreciate the community’s interest and input regarding Councilmember Rob Saka‘s request to re-establish on-street parking on the waterside of Alki Avenue SW to offset some loss of parking at the Duwamish Head. We believe the current survey provides one effective way of gathering feedback from a diverse range of voices.

To ensure adjacent stakeholders are aware, we are also putting up A-frame signs within the area and sending emails to community leaders. Wider promotion through outlets like your media site and Councilmember Rob Saka helps capture a wide array of Alki visitors, businesses, and residents. The survey itself ensures participants can share their thoughts conveniently and at a time that works best for them, allowing for a comprehensive collection of opinions over the next few weeks. While no meetings are planned at this time, we’ll see if the current outreach generates significant interest or if there are populations that appear not to have been reached and determine if supplemental efforts should be considered.

So if you have an opinion of the added spaces, whatever it is, the survey is apparently your main opportunity for input. Since SDOT’s replies made it clear that the added spaces, like the diagonal removal, is by request of Councilmember Saka, here’s his contact info too.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Lowest low-low tide of the year
May 28, 2025 3:11 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

3:11 PM: Thanks again to Kevin Freitas for a view of Constellation Park as today’s low-low tide bottomed out at -4.1 feet, lowest of the year. Also sending photos was Dawn Roeder, who saw colorful sea life under the Fauntleroy ferry dock:

Tomorrow’s lowest tide is still great for tidepooling – -3.6 feet at 1:08 pm – but the weather is expected to be very different.

ADDED 5:29 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo of Luna Park‘s pilings (pointed out on Tuesday by Dave Townsend):

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LOW-LOW TIDE: What it looked like on the north shore (and even lower tomorrow)
May 27, 2025 1:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Constellation Park and Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook get most of the love during low-low tides, but West Seattle’s north shores provide some sights too. Above are the pilings only revealed near the diagonal-parking area when the tide goes this far out (-4.0 around 11:30 am today – added, Dave Townsend and our archives remind us that the remains of Luna Park emerge in these conditions); below, further north/west, the view toward the heart of Alki:

And the northeastward view from that same spot:

Tomorrow brings the lowest low tide of the year, -4.1 feet at 12:20 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Low-low tide time
May 26, 2025 3:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches

Today’s low-low tide wasn’t just good for wildlife-watching. At Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, A Cleaner Alki volunteers worked to remove a huge tire from the beach. Thanks to Kevin Freitas for sending us that photo and others from the West Seattle shore, including his child with an octopus:

West Seattle’s west-facing shore drew a crowd:

Today’s low tide was out to -3.4 feet at 10:50 am, and tomorrow it’s even lower – -4.0 feet at 11:34 am.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Aquarium announces this year’s scaled-back beach-naturalist plan as low-low tide dates approach
May 15, 2025 12:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Just in time for the lowest tides of the year, the Seattle Aquarium is announcing its scaled-back schedule for this year’s Beach Naturalist program, after weeks of concern about how layoffs would affect the program. Plans include events during 5 low tides on West Seattle beaches. Here’s the announcement:

In the coming weeks, beachgoers will be able to experience the summer low tides at several local beaches alongside volunteers from the Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist program. Beach Naturalist explorations begin at the end of May and run through the end of July. You can find dates and times when knowledgeable Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be on local shores here.

The Aquarium’s seasonal Beach Naturalist program is returning to a previous model of volunteer-led “Pods” to engage with the public on local beaches on the lowest low tide days of the summer. Through the program, local experts on the marine environment—beach naturalists—educate members of the public on how to explore shorelines while keeping animals and their homes safe.

The low tides allow a closer look at animals such as sea birds, crabs, moon snails, barnacles, and more that are typically hidden under the surface.

The program, which along with the Cedar River Salmon Journey included more than 300 volunteers last year, has been up in the air since layoffs in January.

The ensuing months have involved reorganizing the popular program and scaling back the frequency of events, which last year included 22 dates at 11 beaches, including Constellation and Lincoln Parks. Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm says volunteers, sometimes led by Aquarium staff, will be on beaches at scheduled times in groups of 4-5, all wearing recognizable Beach Naturalist vests as they have in previous years.

This year, there is a single event at Lincoln Park, on June 28th. Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint (which includes Constellation Park) will have 5 days, including the Saturday low tide on June 28. The first low-tide events there will be May 26th and 27th, which are a Monday and Tuesday midday. This year, 10 beaches will have naturalists on half as many days as in 2024, and no beach with more than 5 events scheduled during the season.

“More than 100 volunteers responded to support this program,” says Kuniholm, “We are excited to learn as we move through this year. The staff and volunteers who are participating will help us shape the program’s future.” He also confirmed that additional changes are possible, including collaboration between the Aquarium and other conservation groups. “It’s in the works, and we look forward to sharing more when we can.”

Also pending is an announcement about changes to the Cedar River Salmon Journey program, which remains on hold. “Our planning process is underway, and we’ll announce plans as soon as they’re finalized,” Kuniholm told WSB.

Minus tides start May 24th and run the entire week through June 1, with the lowest tides on the 27th and 28th.

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WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Low-low tide with uncovered wildlife and dedicated naturalists
April 29, 2025 10:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photos by Anne Higuera unless otherwise credited)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

A misty, wet start to low-low tide season did not deter people from flocking to shorelines at midday today to discover sea life left exposed by the receding Sound. South of Lincoln Park, dozens gathered among the towering piers of the ferry dock, forming circles around interesting finds and calling out to friends.

Among them were many beach naturalists trained by the Seattle Aquarium who plan to be at the beach during low tides sharing what they know with friends and curious neighbors whether it’s part of a formal program or not.

Tide-pooling during a low, low tide involves walking a hundred or more yards over sand and seabed that in some areas is exposed only a handful of days a year.

Rubber boots are a good idea, along with looking very carefully where you step. Bigger marine animals like sea stars and sea anemones are easy to spot.

So are the egg collars from Moon Snails, which look a bit like shaped plastic.

The smaller creatures require a keen eye and a little luck. Having someone who can point out a Shaggy Mouse nudibranch (Aeolidia loui) or know that the flat worm wriggling across the wet sand is likely a White Line Ribbon worm makes low tides into educational outings.

It’s also especially exciting to find things like a small Red Octopus biding her time until the tide comes back in. Pat, who took the photo, said the consensus was that this one is a female.

(Photo courtesy Pat Reaville)

There are several organizations in the area (including MAST and the Environmental Science Center) that have beach naturalist programs, but the Seattle Aquarium’s has been the largest, consistently staffing around a dozen locations, including two beaches in West Seattle. The Aquarium is planning to run their program again this year, but doesn’t yet have dates set. “The team tells me we are very close,” said Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm last week. It’s expected that the Aquarium program will have a significantly shorter list of events this year after layoffs in January. That program and Cedar River Salmon Journey relied on 300+ volunteers, who have been in limbo for a number of months, waiting to hear what’s next. Some have moved on to other opportunities, or just decided they’ll go to the beach no matter what.

Today, a naturalist who was let go in the round of layoffs was holding up a Leather Star to show other former Aquarium volunteers. They are supposed to have a scent similar to garlic, so everyone took a good whiff. She also pointed out a shrimp and other smaller creatures that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In talking with Aquarium volunteers today and others in recent weeks, we heard most express resignation and/or sadness at the changes being made to the naturalist program, but they also are making a point of reaching out to other volunteers to meet up, as they did today. One is even working to organize an informal club — the West Seattle Low Tide All Stars — in part to facilitate meetups between former volunteers on low-tide days.

Today that happened organically, with knowledgeable naturalists just as excited about what they were finding as were kids, families, and others peering into tidepools and wading in the water, trying to take in everything they could see before the tide began to inch back up again.

There is another very low tide tomorrow – -3.4 feet, same as today, just before 1:30 pm.

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Alki Beach summer safety: Hear/talk about the plan Thursday
April 15, 2025 6:39 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle police

(WSB file photo, SPD at Alki on a summer night)

As we’ve reported, the city is moving toward an earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park this spring/summer – and beyond. But what else is planned to address safety concerns as warmer weather brings more people to the regionally renowned beach? The Alki Community Council invites you to this Thursday’s monthly gathering, this time at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), to hear from and talk with a panel of people working on the issue. Here’s the ACC announcement:

Reminder: Alki Community Council Meeting – Thursday, April 17th
Special Summer Safety Prep Meeting

* New Location: Alki Bathhouse
* New Start: 6:30-8 pm (In-person only)

We’re switching things up this month as we take it to the beach—right where it matters most. Our meeting at Alki Bathhouse is all about the beach: how we can protect it, and the people who live and visit here.

As we prepare for a busy summer with environmental and ongoing safety concerns—amid a 300+ officer shortage—you’ll hear directly from those on the front lines of guardianship of both people and our parks.

What makes this meeting special? We’re bringing together voices from 8th grade changemakers to top city leaders—all committed to keeping Alki safe, clean, and cared for.

Speaker Lineup:

Explorer West Middle School 8th Graders – Youth-led action item.
Captain Krista Bair, SPD SW Precinct commander
Jon Jainga, Seattle Parks Security & Emergency Mgmt.
Tracy Cramer, SPU Clean City / Litter Abatement
Seattle Park Rangers
Dave Delgado, Seal Sitters –– Wildlife crisis response

Bring your questions and concerns, and join us to help keep the place we love safe and beautiful.

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FOLLOWUP: Parks Board approves fewer summer hours for Alki Beach & Don Armeni, fewer year-round hours for Hamilton Viewpoint
April 11, 2025 11:20 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog 

Summer visitors to some of West Seattle’s most popular parks will likely have slightly fewer hours to enjoy them. 

As we’ve been reporting (including last week, and a couple of weeks before that), Seattle Parks had been considering “permanent seasonal” reductions (Memorial Day to Labor Day, for all upcoming summers) to the hours during which several parks across the city are open, including our own Alki Beach Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp, as well as a permanent reduction in hours for Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

On Thursday night, the city’s advisory Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners held a public hearing and vote, and the board unanimously approved the proposal, which now goes to the Parks superintendent Anthony-Paul (“AP”) Diaz (who was in attendance on Thursday night) to issue a final decision, which would be followed by necessary city clerk filings and then updates to parks signage and websites. 

Of the impacted Seattle parks that are specifically in the West Seattle area, the now-approved proposal calls for:

  • Alki Beach closing one hour earlier at 10:30 pm rather than 11:30 pm (just like last summer) and being open 4am-1030pm daily in the summer
  • Don Armeni boat ramp shifting away from 24hrs/day to instead match the Alki hours of 4am-1030pm daily in the summer
  • Hamilton Viewpoint Park would have a permanent year-round change, shifting from the current 4am-11:30 pm timeframe to a new reduced timeframe of 6am-10pm (this is based on the results of a pilot program dating back to 2015).  

The meeting on Thursday was a “hybrid” forum, with the board and a handful of in-person attendees gathering downtown at Seattle Parks HQ, while others joined online via Zoom. Public participation was light, with two “general commenters” who signed up and offered thoughts about overall parks concerns, but zero commenters signed up or in attendance to speak specifically about the proposed hourly changes. However, commission members did make reference to some emailed comments from West Seattle residents, as well as “comments on the West Seattle Blog,” summarized as such:

  • Via email: Two heartfelt thanks from WS residents in favor of the change, and one question about parking on Harbor Ave which, in some areas, is a “no parking” zone from 11 pm-5 pm, which means there is one hour of misalignment in the morning when nearby Don Armeni and Alki Beach will be open (at 4 am) but no parking is allowed on Harbor Ave until 5am.  Attendees at the meeting said they’d look into that. 
  • WSB comments: At least two commissioners made note of comments here on WSB stories regarding the proposal, describing them as a “mixed reaction,” but noting that many commenters do understand and agree “that the changes are being made to help make things safer.”

From last month’s meeting slides, here are two tables showing the city-wide changes that were proposed and now approved:

Commissioners noted that the rationale for the changes included fire safety (particularly for Alki and Golden Gardens), managing late-night noise and problematic “non-boating activity” on the boat ramps, and aligning hours and resources with SPD and other resources.  Commissioners added that although public commentary on the issue was minimal, the department had done the best it could to get the word out via their web and social channels, and in local news and blogs and social media. Two commissioners suggested the need for a future “comprehensive approach” to park hours, noting that numerous parks (such as Ravenna) have late-night hours but minimal/no lighting, which probably should be evaluated, and others agreed. 

In Thursday’s meeting, commissioners discussed the general positive sentiment about the proposal among board members, and among the (admittedly small) number of comments gathered online and via email (again, there was nobody signed up to comment at Thursday’s meeting). Based on that, they agreed to call for a vote rather than to delay a vote to a later meeting (the board meets again on April 24), and the motion then passed unanimously. 

Aside from the park-hours discussion, there were a handful of other West Seattle mentions during other portions of the meeting agenda:

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FOLLOWUP: Low-low tides on the way, and so is revised beach-naturalist schedule
April 9, 2025 11:25 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(2024 low-low tide photo from Tom Trulin at Lincoln Park)

With minus tides on the way next week, and very low tides expected at month’s end, we checked in with the Seattle Aquarium to find out if they have assembled a schedule for this year’s Beach Naturalist program. Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm says they are working toward a mid-April deadline and will be able to talk about the details of the program after that. As we’ve been reporting, after reader tips, the program is being reorganized after aquarium-staff layoffs earlier this year, and is expected to be significantly scaled back from its previous reach, with 300+ volunteers at beaches across the region, including Lincoln Park and Constellation Park. Last year, Aquarium-coordinated naturalists staffed 11 beaches, each with 22 low-tide events from May to July. We’ll have another update when the new plans are finalized.

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Here’s when Seattle Parks wants to close Alki Beach, Don Armeni Boat Ramp this summer. One more West Seattle park proposed for changes too
March 27, 2025 7:56 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

With about two months to go until Memorial Day, Seattle Parks has just unveiled its proposed plan for Alki Beach Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp hours this summer – and it’s proposing a permanent change for Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Deputy superintendent Daisy Catague just briefed the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners on this year’s proposed hours, pending a public hearing and vote next month. First, from the slide deck used for the briefing, here’s the list including Alki (which would have the same closing time as last summer):

“Seasonal” means Memorial Day to Labor Day, Catague explained. The key word on that slide, however, is “permanent”; for the last several years, changes have been made, always explained as a “pilot” project. Parks is also proposing a permanent seasonal change for Don Armeni Boat Ramp:

Parks also is proposing permanently shifting Hamilton Viewpoint Park hours, currently 4 am to 11:30 pm, changing to 6 am to 10 pm. Catague says there was a pilot of those hours dating back to 2015. If you want to have a say in the process, here’s the timeline:

The hearing and vote will be at meetings of the Parks and Rec Board, and you can participate either in person at Park HQ downtown, or remotely – agendas will appear here.

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FOLLOWUP: Beach Naturalist program’s future still a mystery, but clues are surfacing
March 17, 2025 11:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo, Lincoln Park)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

With only about 2 months before the traditional start of the Beach Naturalist program at Lincoln Park, Constellation Park, and other beaches around the region, the Seattle Aquarium tells WSB there are “no new updates” about their plans to revise the popular low-tide program. But clues are starting to surface.

As we reported last month, the program is on “pause” and being reconfigured, following layoffs due to the Seattle Aquarium’s reported budget shortfall. The Aquarium says the program, which has included full-time and part-time seasonal staff overseeing hundreds of volunteers, will “look different” but has been slow to share details. While Aquarium staff works to “reimagine” the popular program, some of the seasonal staff who were laid off are talking about organizing their own program.

The Aquarium has organized and trained Beach Naturalists for more than 20 years, assigning staff and volunteers to beaches from Dash Point to Shoreline, both during daytime and occasional evening mega-low tides. It has attracted a dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are on the same beaches year after year, and who are passionate about the way the program makes the Aquarium’s educational outreach available to anyone who can go to the beach, even if tickets to the Aquarium itself may be out of reach financially. The Aquarium has also paused its Cedar River Salmon Journey program, which relies on volunteers at the Ballard Locks and other locations to teach about the migration and life cycle of salmon. The pause in the two programs has left all of those volunteers largely in limbo for the last few months.

Now a “listening session” is planned by the Aquarium for volunteers of both programs next week. An email to volunteers sent a week ago indicated the program is intended to become a collaboration between the Aquarium and several other marine-focused educational groups. A followup email sent last evening makes mention of the potential for a much scaled-back program, with just a handful of low-tide events a year. That email also stated that the volunteer trainings that are usually scheduled in March will not happen at all this year. The Aquarium did not answer questions about the specifics when asked.

Some of the staff laid off in January feel they can’t wait indefinitely to hear about plans that they think are unlikely to include them. “None of us expect to be rehired,” says Bill Rogers, one of the 20 part-time seasonal staff known as “beach captains” who managed volunteers in the field. Knowing that the beach captains were laid off signals what Rogers expects will be a big change to the program, so he and others are now organizing to bring together those who are interested in making sure there are as many naturalists at beaches on as many days as possible during the very low tides. It would also provide an opportunity for volunteers and former staff who feel blindsided by the way the changes to the program are being handled and are upset enough they wouldn’t go back if invited. Rogers noted, “It hurt a lot of people personally.”

Exactly what shape a new naturalist program might take is uncertain. A formal work meeting in early April with interested volunteers may help focus both structure and mission. “Will it be a group or a club? We have to work that out,” says Rogers, who was looking forward to his 13th season as beach captain and 15th in the program, “The plan is to still be involved.”

As for the Seattle Aquarium, it’s also dealing with the impending arrival of a new CEO and the first operational year of its Ocean Pavilion, part of a $160 million project.

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PHOTOS: Alki’s Special Olympics-benefiting Polar Plunge 2025, with costumes and food trucks
March 8, 2025 12:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 12:14 PM: This afternoon, Special Olympics of Washington is making a splash at Alki with this year’s Polar Plunge fundraiser.

(WSB photos)

The plunging starts in an hour or so – but right now, 10 food trucks are lined up near Alki Bathhouse as part of the celebration:

Here’s who we saw there (links added):

Tabassum
Theo’s Gyros
Ryan’s Rez-ipes
Cheese Pit
Whateke
Sam Choy’s Poké to the Max
Big Boys
Sugar and Spoon
Kathmandu Momocha
Goodbelly

We’ll have coverage of the plunging later! The trucks are expected to stay until 4-ish; the event has a beer garden too.

ADDED, SECOND REPORT: Photographer Dave Gershgorn was there for WSB as teams showed off their contests – and then plunged! Biggest fundraisers were Erik Johnson’s Nearly Nekkid Norwegians:

Biggest team, the Judgy Plungers (from Amazon’s legal department):

Lots of spirited plungers went into the water in waves:

Some were in no rush to get back out:

Others showed off on the sand:

These two found a moment for a pause:

This was the third of five Polar Plunges that are raising money for Special Olympics of Washington around the state – the final two are in Anacortes next Saturday, and the Tri-Cities a week after that.

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About the SFD responses along Beach Drive
March 4, 2025 7:10 pm
|    Comments Off on About the SFD responses along Beach Drive
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

If you’re in the area of the 3500 block of Beach Drive SW and wondering why multiple SFD and SPD responders have shown up – there’s a large piece of debris that’s apparently been reported as a possible “capsized boat,” but multiple responders have now told dispatch it’s a “large piece of foam,” likely broken away from a dock. (This hasn’t triggered a large response – one engine logged at a time – but it’s enough to spark some curiosity.)

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Beach naturalist program will be back, Seattle Aquarium says, but with changes
March 2, 2025 12:33 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“It’s not cancelled.”

That’s the word from the Seattle Aquarium, which confirmed to WSB that its popular Beach Naturalist program will be back at select Puget Sound waterfront parks this summer, albeit with changes. Staff that worked on the program were among a dozen Aquarium employees laid off last month to address a budget shortfall, and the program has been on “pause” since then, spurring fears from volunteers and others that the program would be shuttered. Some contacted WSB with their concerns, so we looked into it.

For 20+ years, the naturalist program has trained hundreds of volunteers to meet park users at the tideline to safely observe and learn about starfish, sea slugs, and other aquatic life that becomes visible as the tide recedes. Lincoln Park and Constellation Park in West Seattle have been among the consistent locations over the years, with school field trips and other groups joining the throngs of park visitors to see the lowest tides of the year and on other selected days.

Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm describes the program as a “beloved tradition” that is valued for its connections to the community, but also one that will benefit from some changes that are “long overdue.” He says the Aquarium team assessing the program is, among other things, looking at new connections “working with community partners in more diverse communities.” Specifics are not yet available, though Kuniholm confirmed, “It will look different.”

(File photo)

Typically, volunteer training starts in March, but that is also on pause until the program details are finalized. The Aquarium is expecting to have more to share soon about how the program will operate in 2025. The beach naturalists have traditionally been out during the lowest daytime tides of the warm months (last year, the events started in May), with a few nighttime low-tide events too.

If you have comments about the program, the Seattle Aquarium is a nonprofit, overseen by a board of directors whose membership and contact info is here.

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WEST SEATTLE SHORES: Highest (predicted) tide of the year Sunday
January 30, 2025 11:35 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(File photo from past ‘king tide,’ by David Hutchinson at Alki)

While most are focusing on the possibility of snow this weekend (no alerts yet!), it’s also of note that Sunday will be one of three days this year with the highest predicted high tide – 12.9 feet – one of the so-called “king tides.” That’s what’s expected at 7:42 am Sunday (February 2), as well as on the mornings of December 6-7. Will that truly be the year’s highest tide? Shore-watchers know that atmospheric conditions can affect what actually happens; you can track the actual water levels via this page, which you can always find linked from the WSB West Seattle Weather page.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: More low-low-tide sights
January 13, 2025 9:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Another round of nighttime low-low tides has accompanied the full moon, and Rosalie Miller has shared photos of the wildlife she saw on the shore at Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint/Constellation Park (along the north end of Beach Drive SW). Above, a Pacific Octopus; below, a Monterey Dorid:

A Shag-rug Nudibranch:

And a Northern Leopard Dorid:

Still time to get to the beach for tonight’s lowest tide, -2.4 feet at 10:28 pm.

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FOLLOWUP: See how first-ever Alki event factored into regional International Coastal Cleanup success
January 12, 2025 10:18 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, September 21)

Back in September, dozens of volunteers gathered at Alki for an International Coastal Cleanup event. There are certainly everyday cleanup heroes working in our area year-round – like A Cleaner Alki – but the September event was the first time regional organizations held their flagship event here, and now Puget Soundkeeper has released a report on the regional results:

In an exceptional display of community commitment, more than 741 volunteers removed 2,600 pounds of debris during International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) events across the Puget Sound from August through December 2024. Across 13 cleanup events from Seattle to the San Juan Islands, volunteers collectively tackled the growing impact of litter and plastic pollution, making an impact on the health of Puget Sound.

Since its inception in 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) movement has been a global initiative by the Ocean Conservancy to document and remove debris from beaches and waterways globally. Every year, Puget Soundkeeper serves as the regional coordinator for ICC events across Puget Sound and works alongside several partner organizations who make these efforts possible.

“In a time where it seems like there’s a lot of negative news spreading over social media, it’s truly inspiring to see so many volunteers and people come out to commit their time and energy toward making our waterways safer and healthier for future generation,” said Tanya Balaji, the Stewardship and Education Manager at Puget Soundkeeper.

2024 was a special year for the ICC movement as for the first time in history, the Ocean Conservancy hosted its flagship ICC event in Seattle and more than 200 volunteers gathered at Alki Beach on September 21st to celebrate the movement. “Despite 2024’s cleanups showing the power of collective action, it highlights the importance of advocating and fighting for legislation that targets pollution at its sources,” added Balaji. For more information about our 2024 ICC report, click here.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance remains committed to continuing our cleanup efforts while advocating for policies that prevent pollution at its source, including working on the 2025 Recycling Reform Act. Moreover, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, alongside its partner organizations across the state, will also continue organizing ICC events throughout the Fall of 2025.

Though the total weight wasn’t huge, as our September 21 coverage showed, volunteers were encouraged to look for small debris, which post the most harm to marine life from potential ingestion and other risks. The full report, including the list of top types of debris, and how to report what you might find year-round, is embedded at the bottom of this page. Best way you can help reduce the need for this? Use less plastic. Even if you think you’re disposing of it properly, it has a nasty way of ending up as pollution just the same.

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ON THE BEACH: Tidepool with Seattle Parks on Tuesday night
January 4, 2025 9:02 pm
|    Comments Off on ON THE BEACH: Tidepool with Seattle Parks on Tuesday night
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Photo by Rosalie Miller – sea star during recent nighttime low tide)

It won’t be a low-low tide but if you’d like to head out on a West Seattle beach with an environmental educator, Seattle Parks is offering the opportunity this Tuesday night (January 7) at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook. Their event is set for 7 to 9 pm – meet at Me-Kwa-Mooks (4430 Beach Drive SW), across the street. Registration is required in advance, and there’s a fee – here’s where to sign up.

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VIDEO: Two kinds of flames at Alki Beach gathering for final night of Hanukkah
January 1, 2025 7:45 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

By dusk tonight, all candles on the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle‘s giant menorah at Alki Beach were lit. On the last of Hanukkah’s eight nights, it took Rabbi Eli Duban two tries to get the flames to take – facing toward the south finally worked.

(WSB photos/video from here by Tracy Record)

The rabbi noted that the Hanukkah story shows that even a “small light can dispel a great darkness.”

More than 50 people gathered for the waterfront ceremony organized by Ilana Duban, with music, crafts, and donuts.

After the menorah-lighting, everyone was invited to stay for a “fire show” – a performer dancing with small torches on the promenade.

The Torah Learning Center sponsored other Hanukkah-related activities in the days and weeks leading up to tonight’s gathering, including a story hour and a crafts event.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: Immersive start to the new year with West Seattle New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim 2025 at Alki Beach
January 1, 2025 3:01 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Aerial photo by Sly Stewart)

It was as much shrieking as swimming when more than a thousand people ran into and out of Puget Sound along Alki Beach this morning during the 2025 edition of the West Seattle New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim. Here’s our video of what it looked and sounded like, starting with organizer Mark Ufkes leading the countdown through his trusty megaphone:

(WSB video by Tracy Record)
But if you haven’t done the Polar Bear Swim before, these participants’ faces might tell you more of the story:

(This WSB photo and next five are by Dave Gershgorn)

Many participants “swam” in groups – we found athletes from the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ gymnastic team under a canopy pre-swim with coach Chris Troupe – and a portable heater:

(This WSB photo and next two are by Lora Radford)

And of course organizer Mark went in too, as he always does, and was all smiles afterward:

Not everyone just ran in and ran out, though! Some had to stop and pose in the 49-degree water (nine degrees warmer than the air):

(This WSB photo and next two are by Dave Gershgorn)

And some went for total immersion:

(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)

P.S. Special Olympics of Washington is bringing its (unrelated except in spirit) Polar Plunge fundraiser back to Alki this year – set your calendar for March 8.

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WEST SEATTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE: What you might see on the beach tonight
December 31, 2024 6:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

One more way to spend your New Year’s Eve … exploring the beach at the -2.5-foot 11:13 pm low-low tide!

Rosalie Miller sent photos of what she encountered on the beach at last night’s similarly low tide – a kelp crab, red rock crab, and mottled star.

If you go out exploring, tread lightly!

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REMINDER: Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim is on for New Year’s Day 2025, eleven days away!
December 21, 2024 2:33 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo by Robert Spears)

We brought you first word in November that the annual Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim was on again for January 1, 2025, after covering an Alki Community Council meeting at which organizer Mark Ufkes was one of the guests. Today, for anyone who missed that first announcement, Mark has just sent this reminder:

Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim
New Years Day – January 1, 2025, in front of Duke’s West Seattle
Make sure that you are in good health if you participate.

We go into the water at 10:00 am sharp; after a group countdown from 10, 9, 8 . . . There will be a huge crowd (well over 1,000 last year), so plan accordingly. Line up and down the beach. Spread out. Holding hands with someone you love makes going into the water much easier. Trust me on this. Once the countdown begins, get ready to run. And keep your kids close.

Wear good water shoes, bring a large towel and a warm sweater to put on after you get out of the water. And remember, the water will be warmer than the air, making the experience much more pleasant.

In that brief moment, as you run into the water, you will be surrounded by joy and laughter from the huge crowd. The entire beach is filled with cheering, abundance and happiness. It’s really quite amazing. And the crowd watching us from the sidewalk will be cheering too, with a touch of envy, for not joining us.

So, wash away the complexities of 2024, and your fears too. And as you come out of the water, you will bask in the unlimited possibilities that life offers to each of us in the New Year.

Whatever it is that you want in life, go for it. That is what the New Year, and our great nation, is telling us. Enjoy life and go for it.

Everyone has a GREAT time. You will too.

Sincerely,

Mark Ufkes and Lois Schipper (20-year Alki Polar Bear veterans)

While the beach across from Duke’s is where you’ll find Mark and his megaphone, you can find a spot pretty much anywhere on the sand to be part of the crowd running in and out.

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