Tidepool Education Program – Docent-led | Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

Tidepool Education Program - Docent-led

WHEN:

Choose your date.

WHERE:

Sonoma Coast State Park
Various locations
Bodega Bay, CA 94923

Most used tide pool location is Miwok Beach with parking at North Salmon Creek. Campbell Cove is also a safe location when the tide is very low. Our Tidepool Coordinator will confirm your locations after your register.

School reservations for docent-led Tidepool Education Programs for spring 2026 are full. Dates for fall of 2026 are not available due to the timing of the low tides. Please review local tide charts to determine the best times for your field trip.

We will open registrations for spring 2027 in Mid-May of 2026. This popular program fills up quickly.

Please contact our staff [email protected] for more information.

The tidepools on the Sonoma Coast are teeming with life. From the nearly invisible aggregating anemones to the lively hermit crabs living in appropriated turban snail shells, everywhere you step there are fragile intertidal creatures underfoot. This docent-led program teaches students to explore the delicate tidepools without destruction. A teacher’s guide and resource materials are available. This program is best suited for third grade and above. Tidepool tours are scheduled during the best low tides of spring. This popular program fills up quickly.

Docent-led experiences are generally only available for groups of 50 students or less.

Please view the following tidepool orientation video with your students for important safety and stewardship information, and share it with your chaperones: Tidepool Heroes!

And here is another tidepool-specific resource to help you prepare: Tidepool Teacher’s Guide (1 MB PDF file)

Please refer to the School Resources page of our website for other Teacher’s Guides: Teacher’s Guides

On the day of your field trip, you will be met at the designated time and site by a State Parks docent(s). After a brief introduction you and your students will have 1-1.5 hours to observe and learn about the world of the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean coastline. When available, State Parks lifeguards join us to give a brief lecture on ocean safety.

It is advisable to make your reservations at the end of the previous school year or beginning of the school year as we fill up during the months of April and May. We will open registrations for spring 2027 in Mid-May of 2026. This popular program fills up quickly.

Additionally because demand is high for programs, scheduling can take up to two weeks.