Responsible Tidepooling in California: How to Explore the Intertidal Zone with Care and Integrity

The rocky tidepools along the stunning La Jolla coast offer a window into one of San Diego County’s most biologically rich — and most fragile — habitats. Exploring this vibrant intertidal zone is fun, refreshing, and eye-opening. Yet as travelers increasingly seek unique and immersive outdoor experiences, our collective responsibility to protect these delicate ecosystems becomes ever more important.

To ensure the wonder of the tidepools endures for generations to come, responsible and ethical practices are essential — and this is where the value of exploring with an expert guide truly shines.

Why Explore Tidepools with a Marine Biologist?

While exploring tidepools on your own might seem simple, navigating this environment responsibly often requires expert knowledge. Choosing a guided experience, especially one led by a certified naturalist and marine biologist, offers invaluable benefits:

1. Expertise and Discovery:

Guides possess specialized knowledge that exponentially enhances every experience. I am formally educated in marine science and science communication, and guests often remark that without me by their side, they “would have missed so much wildlife.”

With an expert leading the way, you’ll discover extraordinary animals and hidden ecological interactions that most visitors pass by unnoticed.

2. Safety and Etiquette Vetting:

North Star Naturalist tours are designed for quality, safety, and conservation—never exploitation. As a Certified Interpretive Guide with Wilderness First Aid training, I ensure that every guest enjoys a professional, thoughtful, and secure experience while honoring the fragile ecosystems we explore.

In the unlikely event of a slip or scrape, I’m always prepared with a fully stocked first-aid kit and clear response protocol.

3. Enhanced Observation Tools:

On each tour, I come prepared with specialized tools and techniques for close observation. I bring binoculars, magnifying lenses, and special flashlights to help visitors explore in engaging ways. I also use an underwater camera to reveal hard-to-reach marine life — without disturbing it — so animals remain safely in their home environment.

These methods stand in stark contrast to harmful practices like rock-flipping, moving animals, or collecting shells and living creatures as souvenirs.

Practicing Ethical Tidepooling: The North Star Naturalist Way

My mission at North Star Naturalist is to spark curiosity, care, and reverence for nature through immersive, guided experiences. Environmental stewardship is one of my core values, and my commitment to responsible recreation is an essential part of every tour.

Every tour begins with a review of safety and etiquette before we enter the intertidal zone. This ensures every participant understands their role in protecting this sensitive environment.

A few tidepooling rules we follow:

• Leave the rocks as they are — no flipping or turning.

• If you touch any living thing (animal or seaweed), be extremely gentle. Do not remove anything attached to rocks, and always return it to the exact same spot where you found it. No collecting of any kind.

• Stay on top of the rocks, sticking to bare, dry sections when possible. Avoid stepping inside the pools.

• If you see trash, please pick it up, return any living hitchhikers to the pools, and place the trash in nearby bins.

• Respect for Delicate Ecosystems:

I encourage safe, gentle, and respectful interaction with the intertidal ecosystem. My tours focus on observing and learning while fostering genuine connections with wildlife. Only through these connections and memories can we develop empathy and concern for other beings.

• Taking Responsibility for Our Feet:

To protect both wildlife and guests, I require that closed-toed shoes be worn. In addition, we do not walk into tidepools or water-filled channels, keeping instead to the tops of the rocks where fewer creatures are found. This prevents accidental harm to soft-bodied animals such as fish and anemones, while keeping everyone safe on slippery surfaces.

• Observation Over Disturbance:

I meet my guests where they are in their understanding of marine life, offering insights into our role in conserving California’s intertidal zone. I adapt each tour based on what the group asks about or spots along the way — keeping it interactive and engaging while remaining mindful of our impact on the habitat.

By joining a North Star Naturalist tour, you’re choosing a memorable way to engage with nature and gain a new appreciation for the astonishing biodiversity right in front of us — all while supporting the highest standards of environmental responsibility.

Thank you for supporting ethical, empathetic business practices.