Beachcombers delight Seattle's tide pools exposed

Seattle and the Puget Sound region will experience some of the lowest tides of the year on Wednesday and Thursday at 1 p. m. , according to NOAA predictions. This natural occurrence allows beachcombers to explore tide pools and discover marine life, including sea stars, moon snails, and anemones. The Seattle Aquarium will host guided tours at Dash Point, Golden Gardens, and Seahurst parks on Wednesday, as well as Olympic Sculpture Park on Thursday.

These extreme low tides, known as syzygy tides, occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align during new and full moon phases, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides. The alignment amplifies gravitational pull, creating unique opportunities for exploration. Participants are urged to tread lightly to protect marine habitats during their outings. This event underscores the importance of community engagement in local ecosystems and encourages awareness of environmental stewardship. Such tidal phenomena play a vital role in the health of coastal marine environments.