Tide Pool Exploriences

Tide Pool Exploriences take place on the beach at the NW 15th Street beach access and begin with an overview from local experts from the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Our guides will take you on a tide pool tour to identify and explore local marine life such as sea stars, anemones, urchins and other colorful creatures. Tide Pool Exploriences last approximately one hour. This program is free and registration is not required.

To get to the NW 15th Street beach access from Highway 101, turn west on to NW 15th Street and continue toward the ocean. There is ample street parking as well as a public parking lot nearby. Parking is also available at the Seagull Beachfront Motel near the beach access.

Essential Tide Pool Gear

Exploring our tide pools can be a slippery business, and we recommend bringing:

• Rubber boots
• Rain jacket
• Gloves
• Sunscreen

2021 Tide Pool Exploriences Dates TBD

We have yet to set an Exploriences schedule for 2021.

Safety

Weather and ocean conditions can be unpredictable on the Oregon Coast. Please be mindful and practice beach safety during the Tide Pool Exploriences. Always face the ocean, be wary of beach logs and debris, protect wildlife habitat, and keep small children and animals near you at all times.

Lincoln City Exploriences

Discover Lincoln City's Exploriences program, a series of free, hands-on learning events led by local experts. Not only will you enjoy a richer experience during your visit, you'll also be eligible to get some "members only" benefits. Check out all of our Exploriences.

Tide Pools in Lincoln City

There are several great places to explore tidepools in Lincoln City. To learn more about tide pool locations and the sea life that inhabits them, please visit our Tide Pool page or give us a call at 541-996-1274.

Instructors

Our local experts will guide you through your experience. You bring your sense of adventure; they bring years of experience.

Fawn Custer brings her 25-plus years of teaching experience to this year’s Tide Pool Exploriences. She earned a BS in Science Education, a BS in Biological Sciences, an MS in Environmental Education and an MS in Integrated Sciences with postgraduate courses in learning behavior and free-choice learning. Fawn is the former Volunteer Coordinator and current Citizen Science Trainer for CoastWatch, a division of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, working with over 1,300 volunteers along the Oregon Coast to educate students about marine science around the region. She is an active member of the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators and the Oregon Science Teachers Association. In her spare time, she loves exploring the Oregon Coast with her family.

Athena Crichton has lived on the Oregon Coast for over 20 years. Relocating from the Big Island of Hawaii, she has always had a profound interest in marine biology. Educated at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Oregon State University, Athena has spent the last 16 years teaching a variety of classes at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. In addition, she teaches marine education at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and has spent three years as Senior Marine Naturalist on Marine Discovery Tours in Newport. In her spare time, Athena enjoys spending time with her grandson, Parker, sailing and yes, going to the beach.

Explore Lincoln City is proud to partner with CoastWatch—the volunteer arm of OSCC to bring you this year’s Tide Pool Exploriences. CoastWatch is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and education of the Oregon Coastal region. CoastWatch serves as a guardian of the public interest for the Oregon Coast and is dedicated to preserving the natural communities, ecosystem and landscapes of the region while conserving the public’s access. CoastWatch pursues these ends through education, advocacy and engaging citizens to keep watch over and defend the Oregon Coast.

For more information about CoastWatch, and to become a volunteer, please visit OregonShores.org.