Watch your step: Not only can it be dangerous for you to step or slip on organisms in the tide pools, but it can be detrimental to whatever you step on! Try to walk on sand or bare rocks, and don’t jump from rock to rock. To add a dose of education about marine life and increase safety, follow along on a ranger-led excursion.
Be attentive to your surroundings and never underestimate the power of the Pacific Ocean. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions. DO NOT GUESS! Know when the tides will occur and plan your hike according. Always carry a tide chart, available at visitor centers and coastal ranger stations. Don’t get trapped by a rising tide! Several points along the coast are only passable at lower tides. Plan to arrive at the beach at least 30 minutes before the lowest tide. Before you head out, study a current calendar of low tide times. If you follow safety rules, exploring tide pools on your own can be fun for the whole family. If you hear rock falling, cover your head and move away from the arch. Hole in the Wall is constantly battered by waves and falling rocks can be a significant hazard, so avoid lengthy visits right next to and under the arch. Do not cross through Hole in the Wall when the tide begins to cover the floor of the arch. Plan to arrive at Hole in the Wall at least 30 minutes before the lowest tide. It takes about an hour to hike to the tide pool area. Hole in the Wall is 1.5 miles north of the Rialto Beach Trailhead on the North Coast Wilderness Trail. Kalaloch Ranger Station 36 Mora’s Hole in the Wall on Rialto Beach A family exploring the tide pools on Rialto Beach. They are accessible directly off of Highway 101. Kalaloch and Ruby Beach are located on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Kalaloch is one of the most visited areas of Olympic National Park. Public Domain Top Tide Pool Areas Kalaloch’s Beach 4 and Ruby Beach Marine life you can expect to see include sea stars, rock crabs, wolf eels, pricklebacks, brittle stars, barnacles, clams, and sea snails. The best time of year to explore tide pools are between March and September.
While you can see tide pools during positive tides (up to +1.5), the best times for exploring them are during minus tides. Olympic National Park protects one of the longest stretches of wilderness coast in the lower 48 states (65 miles.) Beyond the water’s edge, the marine environment and offshore islands are protected in partnership with three national wildlife refuges and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.ĭuring low tides, the Pacific Ocean retreats from the beaches and exposes pools of water in rocky crevices that team with sea life.
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