Low tide unearths ocean life islanders don’t always get to see, attracting beachcombers

Vancouver Islands have an extra excuse to hit the beach this week.

People on Vancouver Island are getting an excuse to hit the beach as oceanfront properties see some of the lowest tides of the year, exposing low intertidal creatures.

“I’ve never seen it like this before. It’s so beautiful. There’s so much more beach,” says Russ Dockstaeder while combing the shores of Island View Beach in Central Saanich.

He’s among islanders who heard about the low tide and sought out a view Thursday morning.

“We thought we’d check it out before we head to Butchart Gardens,” says U.S. tourist Claire Gabriel. “We’re having fun exploring the little tide pools that are left behind.”

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a spring tide is here. The perigee and new moon along with the moon being the farthest north of the equator on its orbit around Earth are factors adding to the pull on the ocean surface around Victoria – creating the especially low tides.

“I just hope people have fun at the beach. And you know, we like to remind people: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints,” says Monika Pelz, Ocean Networks Canada education co-ordinator.

The not-for-profit helped middle schoolers take science outside class, facilitating a guided tour of the low intertidal zone at Victoria’s Gonzales Beach.

“Is it male or female,” asks Pelz of a student viewing the pattern on a red rock crab’s belly. “Is that a lighthouse?” asks the student. “I’d say that’s a lighthouse,” confirms Pelz. “So it’s male,” replies the student.

The students also find sea anemone, vermillion sea star, and clingfish among other creatures.

“(Clingfish) tend to hide in the tide pools of rocky intertidal areas,” says Ocean Networks Canada educator Yuko Lin. “They actually have a sticky organ on their bottom to let them cling on to rocks so they don’t get washed away.”

DFO cautions that while there may be good tide pools to explore, there could also be slightly stronger currents. It’s also reminding the public not to harvest shellfish during low tides in B.C., especially in warm weather.

OCN encourages people to check their local tide times and charts to customize the best viewing plan for them.

“And of course, you always want to keep an eye on the tide coming in. It’s really easy to get stuck looking at a really cool tide pool or a really cool creature and then realize that your nice dry path is a really wet one,” says Pelz.