RECAP: Tide-pooling at Haystack Rock
Sunday, February 9th, 2025 — Cannon Beach, OR.
A last-minute visit to the tide pools at the base of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach turned out to be the best decision. It’s rare for a winter low tide to align during daylight hours, and even more rare for it to come without wild ocean conditions.
We gathered at the base of the stunning monolith to talk about tides, oceanography, and the geological history that brought Haystack Rock to our shores. Haystack is uniquely positioned in the intertidal zone, the area between the highest and lowest tides, which means that during low tide, visitors can walk right up to its base. It is surrounded by basalt boulders that provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life.
As the tide receded, it offered a rare opportunity to see some of these species up close. We wandered across the cobbles to the base of the rock, peering into small tide pools in what felt like the ultimate beach scavenger hunt, searching for anemones, sea stars, and other fascinating intertidal creatures.
The rain held off as we explored and learned together, discovering giant green anemones and Pisaster sea stars that bring vibrant color to the rocks. We observed burrowing clams that help shape the basalt over time, and—perhaps most exciting of all—spotted a couple of different species of nudibranchs.
Nudibranchs are sea slugs, though that name does not quite capture how extraordinary they really are. These tiny marine creatures are often incredibly colorful and resemble something out of a Pokémon game. If you have never seen one, they are well worth looking up.
Because they are so small and well-camouflaged, nudibranchs can be hard to find without a trained eye or a sense of where to look. Fortunately, one of our tidepoolers had spotted one just before the group arrived and was able to lead us right back to it. By gently placing the sea slug in a large mussel shell, we were able to gather around, observe it closely, and learn more about this fascinating little creature.
As the tide returned and the sun began to set, we wandered over to the Needles, the smaller sea stacks just south of Haystack Rock. A perfect opening in the clouds let the golden sunset pour through, casting warm light across the shoreline. Just as the sun touched the horizon, the rain began to fall, and we decided it was time to leave the beach. It was a perfect little winter tidepool excursion.
If you missed this outing and want to learn more about our fascinating rocky intertidal shores, Alanna leads tidepooling and foraging workshops throughout the spring and summer. You can find upcoming opportunities on her website, Shifting Tides.
