Tidepool Education
For over twenty years, Laguna Ocean Foundation has provided tidepool education across Laguna Beach tidepools
Our Tidepool Biologists and Tidewater Docents are busy providing free education to over 70,000 visitors every year. Their important role helps to protect the species that call the tidepools home and teach how to explore responsibly in the Marine Protected Area that spans the coast of Laguna Beach.
You can find free tidepool education from our Tidepool Biologists and Tidewater Docents at the following tidepool locations:
Learn more about these locations, when to visit, and what you need to know before you go, by visiting our tidepool explorer guide. Interested in becoming a volunteer to educate visitors at the tidepools? Learn more and sign-up today!
Did you know that we offer private tidepool tours?
That’s right! Whether it’s for a work retreat or a family gathering, let our Tidepool Biologists guide you around the tidepools for a unique outing experience!
Creating an accessible tidepool
Accessibility to the tidepools is something that a lot of us take for granted. However, there are many people who don’t have the resources, transportation, or physical ability to make it to the tidepools. What if we could change this though? What if we could bring the tidepools to them by creating a life-size tidepool model with interactive features? That’s exactly what we did. Thanks to the Drew Forbes Legacy Fund, we were able to build a lifesize model of a tidepool that can be brought just about anywhere! This tidepool model will help to spark the curiosity and the appreciation for the ocean for individuals unable to visit the tidepools. This now opens up the possibilities of spreading awareness about Laguna Beach’s tidepools, the MPAs, and how to appreciate the local ecosystem to individuals across Orange County.
Interested in having us bring it to your school, classroom, or community event? Let us know!
Explore Responsibly with our Mobile Guide
Our partners at UC Irvine helped us to develop our mobile tidepool explorer guide to help every visitor enjoy Laguna’s coastline responsibly and with a deeper understanding of the fragile ecosystems found here. With thousands of people exploring our beaches each year, we recognized the need for an accessible tool that guides visitors on how to protect marine life, plan their visit thoughtfully, and understand the natural treasures they’re experiencing.
Use the tidepool explorer today!
Educational Resources
Check out our list of recommended ocean and environment themed books. Perfect for the classroom or home collections!
Guide to Tidepool Exploration by OCMPAC
No Need for Nurdles
Complete lesson guide
Marine Protected Area Coloring Book
English/Spanish
Marine Protected Area Coloring Book
English/Chinese
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is home to a variety of marine life, including garibaldi, ochre sea stars, purple urchins, octopuses, shore and hermit crabs, wavy turban snails, and Norris’ top snails. Large mussel beds support various barnacles, as well. Seals are commonly visible from the island, and leopard sharks are frequently seen at the nearby beach.
Access Point: Stairs or ramp along Treasure Island Park trail
Goff Island
Goff Island is known for great snorkeling and scuba diving thanks to the protection from the rocks. While the tidepools may not be as abundant with life like it’s partnering tidepool location, Treasure Island, you may still see anemones, urchins, sea stars, opaleye, and sculpin. If you’re extra lucky, one of the resident harbor seals may be sunbathing nearby. If so, please remember to stay back at least 150ft.
Access Point: From ramp at the end of Treasure Island Park trail
Wood’s Cove
Woods Cove has easy beach access via stairs and is a popular spot for swimmers, snorkelers, and SCUBA divers. The rocky tidepools aren’t as accessible and they occupy a smaller area, but you may find some urchins and anemones during a low tide.
Access Point: Diamond St. or Pearl St.
Shaws Cove
(North and South)
Shaws Cove is known for some great rocky structures and deep crevices for octopus hiding spots. Shaws south is an easy to access, flat mussel bed that can be a good place to find sea stars during low tide and watch various shore birds as they feed in the mussel beds. There are also many species of anemones that can be found at both north and south locations.
Access Point: Stairs at Fairview St. & Cliff Dr.
Crescent Bay
(North and South)
Crescent Bay is known for its abundant marine life, including bat, ochre, and brittle stars, anemones, shore and hermit crabs, chitons, limpets, mussels, and barnacles. Occasionally, octopuses or spiny lobsters may be spotted. The area is also frequented by osprey, with occasional sightings of dolphins, seals, and sea lions.
Access Point: Stairs at corner of Circle Way or ramp at Cliff Dr. & Circle Way intersection
Heisler Park
Heisler Park is a popular spot for nudibranch hunting and is known for its diverse marine life, including chitons, Christmas tree worms, anemones, California sea hares (seasonally), hermit crabs, and shore crabs. Spiny lobsters and octopuses are occasionally seen, as well as nudibranchs and navanax. The nearby Bird Rock attracts many gulls, cormorants, and other shorebirds. Seals, sea lions, dolphins, and occasionally whales are also spotted in the area.
Access Point: Stairs in front of Las Brisas or walk along Main Beach