An extreme low tide along Puget Sound gave visitors to Alki Beach in West Seattle a rare opportunity this week to explore parts of the shoreline that are normally underwater. As the tide receded, wide stretches of sand, rock formations, and tide pools emerged, drawing residents and photographers eager to experience one of the region’s most fascinating natural events. The unusually low water levels revealed marine habitats that are typically hidden beneath the surface.
Beachgoers spent the day walking across exposed sand flats while carefully observing sea stars, anemones, crabs, small fish, and other marine life living in the tide pools. Low tide events like this are driven by predictable tidal cycles, but only a handful of especially extreme tides occur each year. They provide a temporary window into the ecosystems that support much of Puget Sound’s coastal wildlife.
Marine educators and local environmental organizations often encourage visitors to enjoy these events responsibly by leaving marine life undisturbed and avoiding stepping directly on sensitive habitats. The exposed shoreline offers excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing, but the returning tide can move in quickly, making awareness of changing conditions just as important as the experience itself.
For many in West Seattle, these seasonal low tides have become a reminder of how much of Puget Sound’s ecosystem remains hidden beneath the water most days of the year. Whether visitors stopped by to search for tide pool creatures, capture photos of the expanded shoreline, or simply take in an uncommon view of Alki Beach, the event offered a glimpse into a side of the waterfront that only appears for a short time before the tides return.