Many people have to drive hours to get to a beach or an aquarium to get up close with underwater ocean creatures, but residents of Thurston County are only minutes away from some amazing sea life, especially during the summer super low tides.
Today, and throughout the weekend, the South Sound will experience particularly low tides which are most common during the summer. The lowest tide will occur today, Thursday August 1, with tides at -3.11 feet, which are expected to occur around 12:40 p.m. Super low tides will continue all weekend, happening in the early afternoon Friday through Sunday. Super low tides, or negative tides, occur when a tide is lower than the average low tide. Simply put, negative tides are an opportunity to see part of the beach that is usually covered in water, and Thurston county has a lot of places to do that.
These low, low summer tides are caused by a combination of circumstances. Factors include: the tilt of the earth, the position of the moon relative to the earth, the position of the earth relative to the sun, the distance the earth is from the sun, and a reduced number of storms across the ocean in the summer months. Tides at such an extreme low increase your opportunity to view amazing sea creatures such as sea stars, moon snails, sea anemones, sand dollar beds and more.
Below are a few Thurston County waterfront locations that are perfect for exploring the super low tide.
Burfoot Park
Burfoot Park is a great place to appreciate the super low tide. Skip the parking lot at the entrance and follow the drive down to parking spaces on the forest’s edge. The walk down to the beach is a mix of forest pathway and stairs, so save some energy for the climb back up. When you get to the beach, take a moment to look south to get a view of the Capitol if the day is clear. During super low tide, you should be able to explore the sand dollar beach to the south. Summer is also the time for moon snails, a massive sea snail that spends most of its time in deep water, but returns to the shallows to lay its eggs in rounded collars it makes from sand and mucus. All along the beach you can expect to find crabs, moon snail collars and perhaps even a starfish at the water’s edge if you are lucky. And don’t ignore the vegetation. Keep an eye out for red succulent seaweed or a stranded bullwhip kelp.
6927 Boston Harbor Rd NE, Olympia
Boston Harbor Marina
When the tides are low at Boston Harbor Marina, you will notice a lot of mud and not a lot of sand. That doesn’t stop locals from laying out a blanket and enjoying the sun. At low tide, walk down the dock and check out the barnacle covered pilings. Odds are you will see a sea star hanging out just below the water line. Small fish also like to congregate between the three pilings at the end of the dock, and crabs hang out there on the look out to catch a meal. Jellyfish are also common during high and low tide.
Bonus Tip: if you are curious about all the really cool underwater sea life at Boston Harbor, sign up for one of the Stream Team’s popular Marine Creature Mondays where a biologist will talk about the underwater residents and a diver will even bring some up for a short visit.
312 73rd Ave NE, Olympia
Tolmie State Park
After a short walk on the bridge to the beach, you can experience the super low tide at Tolmie State Park. The intertidal zone can also be a bit mucky, which makes it the perfect place for clams. Watch for spouting from holes where clams shoot water out of their siphons to circulate water for feeding and breathing. Remember, if you decide to head out to Tolmie State Park, make sure you have a current Discover Pass.
7730 61st Ave NE, Olympia
Never fear if you missed the super low tides this summer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that another super low tide will begin in Olympia starting on June 4, 2020. Check out the tidal charts and keep an eye out for any tide with a negative number.
Always remember to keep a careful eye on rising water and waves, especially when exploring sandbars and peninsulas created by low tides. They can rise quickly. Additionally, rocks and other sea debris that are normally covered by water can be unstable and shift causing injury or trapping limbs. Children should always be supervised carefully around water and life-vests are recommended on docks.
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the surrounding area, visit our complete events calendar.
