Beach Naturalist program
When Friday, January 20, 2023 and Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 8–10pm
Stroll along almost any local beach during low tide and you’ll see that the shore is alive!
Not only can you discover Puget Sound’s multitude of marine plants and animals—you may also encounter Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists: advocates for the living wonders on our shorelines who are eager to share their knowledge.
The Beach Naturalist program runs on low-tide days throughout the summer and on select winter evenings. The amazing people who operate it are local residents who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 200 people have volunteered to help community members learn about and enjoy our shorelines.
Beach naturalists know their beaches: they can help you explore gently to keep animals and their homes safe; tell you what sea stars eat; explain why barnacles stand on their heads; describe how moon snails lay their eggs; and so much more. Scroll down to see our low-tide programming for evening beach walks in early 2023!
Ask a beach naturalist! Need help identifying something? Email a photo to beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org and a beach naturalist will respond to you as soon as we can.
Winter Evening Beach Walks
Explore West Seattle’s Constellation Park/Richey Viewpoint beach with Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists during two winter nighttime low tides, and discover what creatures we see at this time of year. This is a free, family-friendly, drop-in program—no registration necessary!
WHERE
Charles Richey Sr Viewpoint in West Seattle. Meet beach naturalists near the Seattle Aquarium canopy, located at the corner of 63rd Ave. SW and Beach Dr. SW.
Please note: There are no public bathrooms at this location, please plan accordingly.
WHEN
Friday, January 20, 2023 from 8–10pm
Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 8–10pm
WHAT TO BRING
Bring a bright flashlight/headlamp, shoes or boots with a good grip on the bottom that can get wet, and wear layers to keep warm and dry.
Meet our beach neighbors
Field Guides
This color photo guide includes animals commonly seen on Puget Sound beaches and here at the Aquarium. Available in the following languages:
Beach etiquette guides
Videos
Beach Naturalist video guides
Planning a visit to the beach
Prepare for your beach visit
Learn about eelgrass
Sea Stars on the beach
Anemones at the beach
Learn about seaweed
Videoguías de Naturalistas de playa
¿Planeas un viaje a la playa? ¡Consejos para visitar la playa!
Prepárate para tu visita a la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Conoce la hierba marina con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Encuentra estrellas de mar en la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Encuentra anémonas en la playa con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Descubre los diferentes tipos de algas marinas con los Naturalistas de playa de Seattle Aquarium
Interested in becoming a beach naturalist? Complete our volunteer information request form.
Volunteer information request form
If you have questions about the Beach Naturalist program, email beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 693-6214.
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Sponsors
- King County Flood Control District
- Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council
- MMS Giving Foundation
- Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
- The Boeing Company
- The City of Burien
- The City of Des Moines
- The City of Shoreline
- Washington State Parks
- Watershed Ecosystem Forum for WRIA 9
