Two hours along the rocky shore.
Join Mylasia — a marine biologist and former Cannon Beach Tide Pool Ambassador — for an intimate, small-group tour of the Oregon Coast's living tide pools. You'll meet sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, urchins, and more, while learning how to explore safely and protect this remarkable ecosystem. Tours are scheduled around low tide for the best viewing. Wear rubber boots and dress in layers.
What to expect, hour by hour
Meet & greet
We meet at the trailhead about 30 minutes before low tide. Quick intro, safety briefing, and a heads-up on what we're likely to see today based on tide height and recent sightings.
On the rocks
Roughly 90 minutes exploring the intertidal zone. We'll move slowly, identify creatures together, talk about how they survive the surf, and spot the rare ones if we're lucky.
Wrap up
As the tide turns, we head back up the beach. Q&A, recommendations for other coast spots and aquariums, and a few species ID tips so you can keep exploring on your own.
What to bring
The Oregon Coast is famously moody. The right gear turns "we got rained on" into "we had an adventure."
Required
- Rubber boots — XtraTuf or similar. Sneakers won't cut it on slick rocks.
- Layers — fleece or a warm jacket plus a wind/rain shell
- Hat & sunglasses — even on cloudy days, the glare off wet rocks is intense
- Water bottle
Highly recommended
- Camera or phone — but no flash near anemones
- Hand lens or magnifier — opens up a whole new world
- Snack for kids; sea air builds appetites
- Quick-dry pants — splashes happen
Please leave at home
- Buckets & collection containers — everything stays where it lives
- Pets — sorry, the wildlife thanks you
- Sunscreen with oxybenzone — toxic to marine life; reef-safe is fine
Frequently asked
Are tours kid-friendly?
Absolutely — kids are some of our best tide pool detectives. Children under 4 attend free with a paying adult. We do ask that little ones stay close on the slick rocks; we'll find them plenty to look at without venturing into the trickier spots.
What if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine — the creatures don't care about the weather and honestly, an overcast day is often the best for tide pooling. If conditions are genuinely unsafe (high surf advisory, lightning, sneaker wave warnings), we'll reschedule at no charge.
How accessible is the terrain?
The intertidal zone is uneven, often slippery, and reached by a short walk across sand and rocks. Most healthy adults and kids over 5 do fine. If you're traveling with someone with mobility limitations, please mention it when booking — Cannon Beach is the most accessible of our locations and we can plan accordingly.
Why do tour times change?
Tide pools only exist during low tide. Low tide shifts about 50 minutes later each day, so a 7 AM tour today might become an 8 AM tour tomorrow. We pick dates with the lowest tides — usually negative tides — for the best viewing.
Can I bring a group bigger than 10?
Yes — let us know in advance and we'll either run a private tour for your group or split you across two consecutive time slots. Birthday parties, family reunions, science classes, and scout troops all welcome.
What's your cancellation policy?
Full refund if you cancel 48+ hours in advance. Inside 48 hours we'll do our best to reschedule you to another date. If we cancel for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
Is touching the animals okay?
Some animals tolerate gentle, brief, wet-fingered contact (anemones, certain snails). Sea stars are off-limits — sea star wasting disease is partly spread by human contact. We'll show you exactly what's okay and what isn't. The general rule: if you wouldn't want a giant to do it to you, don't do it to a tide pool resident.