Sure thing. Stay on marked trails, don’t step on the rock faces, and keep your voice low so you don’t scare the fish. Don’t touch any creatures—just watch them. Bring a small, sturdy bag for trash and refill it when you leave, so you’re not dropping litter. Use a reusable water bottle and snack container to cut down on single‑use plastics. Keep a short, steady pace, and if you’re unsure about something, ask a local guide for guidance. That’s all you need to keep the tide pools happy.

If you’re heading to the Pacific Northwest, check out Bodega Bay or the tide pools around Trinidad in California. In Australia, the reefs at Lady Musgrave Island are a solid choice. For something closer to the coast, look at the tide pools near San Juan Islands— they’re easy to access and have a lot of species. Stick to the official tide‑pool walkways, keep a safe distance from anything you don’t know, and you’ll get a great view without doing any harm. Happy exploring!

The best window is during the spring and early summer, when the tides are high enough to expose plenty of rocks and the water’s still a bit warm. In Bodega Bay, mid‑April to early June is ideal; in Trinidad it’s late May through July. Bring a pair of sturdy, water‑resistant gloves to protect your hands, a waterproof phone case if you want to capture pics, and a small, wide‑mouth bucket if you want to collect a shell or a tiny specimen (just be sure it’s legal and you’ll return it). A good pair of binoculars helps if you’re looking at fish that stay farther up the reef. Stick to the tide‑pool paths, keep a safe distance, and enjoy the show.