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Tide Pool Exploration Eco Tour

Be an Ocean Connector and explore San Diego’s diverse intertidal zone on this naturalist-led Tidepooling Eco Tour!

We will walk through the tide pools together while identifying and interacting with the various species that live there. Our naturalist guide will teach you about local ecology and conservation. We include an iNaturalist training for species identification. iNaturalist is a useful tool for explorers to identify and record species in the area. This is an adventure for the whole family with a scavenger hunt and treasure chest available at the end for winners!

Best of all, proceeds of your Eco Tour ticket go to our nonprofit environmental education programs. Which directly supports youth in underserved communities.

Duration 2 Hours
Group Size Maximum 15
Ticket Cost $25/Adult $20/Child
Season December-April

Tide Pool Exploration Highlights

  • Tidepooling topics include an overview of San Diego’s intertidal zone and the species that live there. As well as, what we can do to ensure our region’s environmental health.
  • Biofacts and educational materials will be available for enhanced learning.
  • Tickets directly support our free educational programs for local students!

We just had the best vacation experience ever, Wildlife Kayaking Eco-Tour with Ocean Connectors! Of all of our San Diego activities, this was our favorite. We learned so much, saw incredible birds, and had a blast!

Featured Wildlife

Whats Included

  • Two-hour naturalist guided Tidepooling Eco Tour around San Diego tidepools.
  • Equipment provided: naturalist guide, field guides, and marine science knowledge.

What You Need to Know – Tide Pool Exploration

  • This tour is recommended for ages 6 and up, and is therefore a great option for beginner and seasoned tidepoolers alike.
  • All participants must submit a signed liability waiver and photo release form, and participants under the age of 18 must have the waiver and form signed by a parent or guardian.
  • Tidepooling is seasonal and dependent on low tide timetables. Negative tides occur late night / early morning in summer

FAQs – Tide Pool Exploration Eco Tour

Do I need to be an expert tidepooler to join this tour?

You do not need any prior tidepooling experience to join this trip! Our naturalist guide will help you identify species and share interesting facts as well as teach you about local ecology and marine conservation. The San Diego tide pools are excellent spots to learn and observe the biodiversity of the intertidal zone! You do not need to be an expert to have a wonderful adventure!

What fitness level is required?

During this tour we stay localized in the flat rocky tide pools. Therefore, no particular fitness level is required. As long as you can walk on top of rocks, you have all the skills necessary! If you have any physical limitations, please let us know in advance.

What makes this an “eco” tour?

Ocean Connectors is a nonprofit program with a mission to educate, inspire, and connect youth in underserved Pacific coastal communities through the study of migratory marine life. When you purchase your Eco Tour ticket all proceeds go directly back to our youth education programs. All of our tours focus on environmental education and conservation and align with our mission to educate, inspire and connect. We hope to inspire guests to get involved in protecting our oceans! On our Whale Watching Eco Tour we also participate in citizen science, directly contributing to research and the protection of the whales in our region.

What is citizen science?

Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in research to increase scientific knowledge. Citizen science helps with gathering scientific data as well as fostering community involvement. On this tour we will use apps like iNaturalist and Seek. Data collected using these can play an increasingly important role in science and conservation, with applications ranging from research and monitoring to species management, habitat protection, and informing law and policy.

How does my ticket purchase support youth education?

Ocean Connectors provides presentations and field trips for all public elementary and middle schools in National City, as well as 27 schools in Nayarit, Mexico. All our youth education is free of charge, and our vison is to cultivate a future generation of passionate, globally-aware, and empowered coastal residents who take active steps to enjoy and protect ocean health. All proceeds of your ticket price goes directly toward these youth education programs.

Planning a special occasion or team-building event?

Don’t see a date/time that you are looking for?

Contact info@oceanconnectors.org for requests about additional dates, private tours, and group bookings. 

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