Tide Pools at Botanical Beach

Tide Pools at Botanical Beach are shallow pools within sandstone and granite rock formations that trap marine life when the tide recedes. The site contains sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones, and small fish that inhabit these natural basins throughout the year.

The University of Minnesota established a marine research station here in 1900, recognizing the site's value for studying coastal ecosystems. This scientific focus has helped shape the way people understand and protect these waters today.

This area belongs to Pacheedaht and Lkwungen First Nations territories, where Indigenous peoples have harvested from the sea for thousands of years. Visitors today can sense the deep connection between the land and the ocean that has shaped life here for millennia.

Check tide charts before your visit to plan exploration during low tide periods for the best viewing. The pools are easiest to observe and navigate when the water has completely receded from the rock formations.

The eroded rock formations here create natural aquariums that house different marine species in each pool. Each basin functions as its own small ecosystem, constantly changing with the rhythm of the tides.

Location: Juan de Fuca

GPS coordinates: 48.52553,-124.44528

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:07