SEATTLE — More of the intertidal zone — where crabs, sculpin and sea stars hang out — will be exposed today than at any other time this year.
The Puget Sound area is forecast to see a low tide today at minus 3.32 feet, minus 2.95 feet Saturday and minus 2.31 feet Sunday.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is warning trucks with a ground clearance of less than 14 inches not to travel on certain ferry routes — such as Fauntleroy/Vashon, Southworth/Vashon and Point Defiance/Tahlequah — during the windows of low tide through Monday due to steep slopes on ferry ramps.
The cherished coastal activity is a great opportunity to learn about the Puget Sound ecosystem and to look closely at alien sea anemone, the egg cases of moon snail and other ocean oddities.
If you miss out on beachcombing this week, you’ll have other opportunities in the summer with some almost-as-low tides between June 23 and 24 and July 21 and 22.
Beach naturalists will be stationed at several beaches — including Golden Gardens Park, Carkeek Park and Pocket Beach in the Olympic Sculpture Garden — ready to show people around the nooks and crannies. The naturalists can be identified by their Seattle Aquarium vests and will be at over a dozen low tides this year.
A full list of locations where naturalists will be available and when the lowest tides of the day will take place can be found at st.news/low-tides.
Here’s what to know if you venture into the intertidal zone:
Tread lightly and leave no trace. Low tides are the most stressful time for animals on the beach. Be careful not to walk on eelgrass — which juvenile salmon use to hide — and know that turning over a rock could mean ruining a crab’s lifelong home.
Leave the bucket and pails behind. Critters become accustomed to cold temperatures and their habitat. An animal carried around in a bucket may become too warm and will have to deal with finding a new home when returned.
Touch wildlife gently. If you do want to touch something, make sure that your finger is wet to protect the wildlife. Naturalists usually advise touching something as carefully you would your own eyelashes.
Wear a good pair of shoes. Ideal footwear can include waterproof boots with good grip, though depending on your cold tolerance, a pair of sports sandals are good as well. Be prepared to do some wading.
