I love going to the tide pools in San Diego looking for little crabs or sea anemones. In my youth I would poke them with my finger but I’m nicer now. I mean, we all get poked a bit too much these days, am I right? A lot of times I go and find NOTHING so I was really glad that Scripps aka Birch Aquarium is launching a guided tide pool tour this Jan -March, 2024.

TICKETS GO ON SALE DEC 15, 2023 - HERE’S THE LINK TO GET THEM.

From octopuses to sea stars, hermit crabs and sea anemones, there is no shortage of life in San Diego’s tide pools. Starting January 20, nature lovers will have the opportunity to explore local tide pools with a naturalist from Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego with the return of Tidepooling Adventures. 

During the 90-minute outing, guests will discover incredible animals that live in the intertidal zone, the rocky area that is exposed during low tide. Guests will also learn to safely navigate slippery rocks and spot the most elusive creatures in this rugged environment. 

“Winter is the ideal time for exploring tide pools,” said Cari Paulenich who leads outdoor programming for Birch Aquarium. “Tidepooling is a great outdoor activity that allows us to observe amazing animals in their homes.”

Our local tide pools are home to an amazing variety of animals including snails, mussels, urchins, sea stars, small fish and octopus. 

“Tide pools can be found in many coastal areas of California, including in our local marine protected areas (MPAs).  We want to encourage all visitors to tidepools to be ocean stewards and help protect these spaces,” said Paulenich. “Through responsible tidepooling practices, our exploration of these barnacle-covered rocks and piles of seaweed brings a whole new appreciation for this rugged habitat,” she continued. 

Tickets for Tidepooling Adventures go on sale Friday, Dec. 15 and make a great experience gift this holiday season. 

The weekend excursions begin on January 20 and run select Saturdays and Sundays through March. Dates and times vary based on tides. Tickets are $20 for aquarium members, $25 for the general public and advanced reservations are required.  Participants must be at least 3 years old and minors must be accompanied by a paid adult. For more details or to purchase tickets visit https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/tidepooling-adventure.