A vibrant sea creature, likely a nudibranch, is nestled among underwater plants and sand. It has bright orange, feathery appendages and a striking blue head, creating a vivid contrast against the muted browns and greens of the surrounding seaweed and seafloor. The creature's delicate structure and vivid colors make it stand out in its natural habitat.
What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – April 2025

A hairy crab with a reddish-brown color is nestled on a rocky surface. Its body and legs are covered in dense, bristle-like hairs, giving it a fuzzy appearance. The crab's claws are prominent, with one claw slightly larger than the other. The texture of the rock beneath it is rough and uneven, with some green algae visible in the background. The lighting highlights the crab's texture and the details of its hairy covering.

What’s In the Tidepools? – April 2025

(Retiring Hairy Crab – NPS Photo/R. Streeper)

Here is a sampling of what our volunteers observed during this last month of the tidepool season — thank you to everyone who contributed. The Black Sea Hares and their eggs did not disappoint visitors. Remember to send in your photos; we truly appreciate sharing them with everyone.

Don’t forget to visit the Tidepool Videos page and our YouTube page.

Enjoy the virtual visit through the tidepools.

A small tide pool with clear water, surrounded by rocks and covered with dark purple and brown seaweed. At the bottom of the pool, a lobster is visible, partially camouflaged against the rocks and pebbles. The lobster's antennae and legs are distinguishable, and the water is clear enough to see the details of the rocky pool floor.
Spiny Lobster – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A vibrant pink sea anemone with numerous tentacles is submerged in water. The tentacles are long and wavy, radiating outward from the center. The background consists of dark, rocky surfaces with patches of green algae or seaweed. The water surface reflects light, creating small, bright spots around the anemone.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A limpet attached to a rocky surface, likely in a tidal pool area. The limpet has a conical shell with a central hole, surrounded by a textured pattern. The shell is mostly beige with darker tones near the center. Around the limpet, there are small pebbles, sand, and some green and brown algae or seaweed. A few thin green strands, possibly sea grass, are also visible across the scene.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A cluster of small, pink flowers with yellow centers is surrounded by large, green leaves. The flowers are tightly packed together, creating a dense, rounded shape. The leaves are broad with visible veins and have a slightly glossy texture. The background consists of more green foliage, suggesting a lush, natural setting. The sunlight casts shadows, highlighting the textures of the leaves and flowers.
Lemonade Berry – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A rocky landscape with a prominent horizontal rock formation. The rock formation appears layered and weathered, with a pile of broken rocks and debris at its base. The ground is sandy and uneven, with scattered small stones. In the background, a person wearing shorts and hiking boots is walking along a path. The area has a dry, arid appearance with sparse vegetation.
Collapse Near Tidepool Entrance – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A vibrant sea creature, likely a nudibranch, is visible in shallow water. It has a striking purple body with bright orange appendages. The surrounding environment includes sandy ground and green aquatic plants, with some brownish seaweed floating nearby. The water is clear, allowing a detailed view of the creature and its surroundings.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A sea anemone is attached to a rock in a tide pool. It has a circular shape with numerous tentacles radiating outward. The tentacles are a pale greenish-gray color, and the body of the anemone has a pattern of concentric rings in shades of green and brown. Surrounding the anemone are various small rocks, bits of shell, and patches of algae. The water is clear, allowing a detailed view of the anemone and its surroundings.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small underwater cave or crevice with a lobster nestled inside. The lobster is dark in color and partially hidden among rocks and seaweed. The surrounding area is filled with various shades of brown and purple seaweed attached to the rocky surfaces. The water is clear, allowing a view of the stones and the lobster beneath the surface.
Spiny Lobster – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small, vibrant pink sea creature, likely a nudibranch, is resting on a rocky surface underwater. It has numerous delicate, finger-like appendages extending from its body. The surrounding area is covered with green algae and small marine organisms, giving a textured appearance to the underwater environment. The water is clear, allowing the details of the creature and its surroundings to be visible.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A sea anemone with pale, translucent tentacles is partially submerged in shallow water. The tentacles are arranged in a circular pattern, radiating from the center. Surrounding the anemone are various pieces of debris, including sand, small rocks, and fragments of shells. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy bottom and some seaweed or plant material nearby. The lighting suggests a natural outdoor setting, possibly a tide pool.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A dead bird partially buried in sand, with its feathers spread out and some sand covering them. Next to the bird, there is a sea anemone with bright green tentacles, partially covered in sand and small shell fragments. A rock with some green algae is visible on the left side. The surrounding area is sandy with small pebbles and shell fragments scattered around.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A cluster of pink, worm-like sea creatures is intertwined together, resembling a tangled mass of spaghetti. They are submerged in water and surrounded by brown seaweed. The texture of the creatures appears segmented, and they are glistening slightly, likely due to the water. The overall scene has a natural, underwater appearance.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small octopus is camouflaged in a shallow tide pool. Its body blends with the sandy and rocky surroundings, making it difficult to spot. The water is clear, revealing the texture of the sand and rocks, which are covered with small marine growths. On the right side, there is a dark, bushy seaweed. The sunlight creates reflections and highlights on the water surface.
Two Spot Octopus – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small octopus is camouflaged against a sandy and rocky seabed in shallow water. Its body blends well with the surrounding environment, making it difficult to spot at first glance. There are some patches of green algae on the rocks, and a few strands of seaweed are visible. Small bubbles are scattered across the water's surface, and sunlight is casting shadows, adding to the texture of the scene.
Two Spot Octopus – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A hairy crab with a reddish-brown color is nestled on a rocky surface. Its body and legs are covered in dense, bristle-like hairs, giving it a fuzzy appearance. The crab's claws are prominent, with one claw slightly larger than the other. The texture of the rock beneath it is rough and uneven, with some green algae visible in the background. The lighting highlights the crab's texture and the details of its hairy covering.
Retiring Hairy Crab – NPS Photo/R. Streeper
A red starfish is lying on the sandy bottom of a shallow tide pool. Surrounding the starfish are various types of seaweed and marine plants, predominantly in shades of purple and green. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy and rocky substrate beneath. The scene is illuminated by sunlight, creating a natural and serene underwater environment.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A large, dark-colored sea slug is resting on a rocky, algae-covered surface. The slug is shiny and wet, indicating it is in a marine environment. Surrounding the slug are patches of green algae and small pebbles, adding texture to the scene. The slug's body is elongated and smooth, with a slightly bulbous shape.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A shallow tide pool with a variety of marine life and rocks. The water is clear, revealing several rocks covered in green algae and small barnacles. There are patches of pink and red seaweed scattered among the rocks. Small shells and snails are visible on the rocks and the sandy bottom. The surface of the water has a slight ripple, reflecting light and creating a shimmering effect.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A vibrant sea creature, likely a nudibranch, is nestled among underwater plants and sand. It has bright orange, feathery appendages and a striking blue head, creating a vivid contrast against the muted browns and greens of the surrounding seaweed and seafloor. The creature's delicate structure and vivid colors make it stand out in its natural habitat.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A brittle star is partially submerged in a shallow tide pool. Its long, slender arms are spread out across the sandy bottom, surrounded by various types of seaweed and algae. The seaweed is green and brown, with some pinkish hues, and it clings to the rocks and sand around the brittle star. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the creature and its surroundings.
Brittle Star – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A brittle star with long, slender arms is partially submerged in shallow water. The creature has a central disc and its arms are banded with dark and light patterns. Surrounding the brittle star are patches of green and brown algae, as well as some sand and small pebbles on the bottom of the water. The scene is likely a tidal pool, with various marine life and vegetation visible.
Brittle Star – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
An octopus is partially submerged in shallow, clear water. Its body and tentacles are visible, blending in with the sandy and rocky bottom. There are patches of seaweed and small bubbles on the water's surface. The octopus is positioned near some dark, bushy seaweed, and its tentacles are spread out, showing its natural camouflage against the sandy environment.
Two Spot Octopus – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A cluster of pale pinkish, worm-like structures, possibly marine organisms or eggs, is nestled among dark brown seaweed. The structures are shiny and appear wet, suggesting they are in a marine environment. The seaweed surrounding them has a glossy texture, and there are some thin, green strands interspersed among the cluster. The lighting highlights the glossy and wet appearance of both the organisms and the seaweed.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A vibrant collection of seaweed and marine plants in a tide pool. The scene includes various types of seaweed, such as broad, dark brown kelp with a glossy texture, and thin, red strands. In the center, there is a cluster of bright orange, noodle-like seaweed. Thin, green grass-like strands weave through the seaweed, adding contrast. The sunlight reflects off the wet surfaces, creating a shimmering effect. The overall composition is a mix of textures and colors, showcasing the diversity of marine life.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A close-up view of a cluster of translucent, tubular sea creatures, likely marine worms or sea squirts, with a gelatinous appearance. They are intertwined and have a pale beige color. There are also some pinkish and reddish hues visible, possibly from other marine organisms or seaweed mixed in. The background appears to be a wet, sandy surface with some green algae or seaweed.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A cluster of orange, noodle-like strands is nestled among various types of seaweed. The seaweed is dark brown and green, with some pieces appearing glossy and wet, while others have a more matte finish. The orange strands are tightly packed and have a slightly translucent appearance, contrasting with the darker seaweed surrounding them. The scene suggests a natural marine environment, possibly at a shoreline or tide pool.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A small orange crab is partially submerged in a shallow tide pool, surrounded by rocks and seaweed. The crab is positioned on top of a sea anemone, which has greenish tentacles. The rocks around the tide pool are covered with patches of dark brown and green algae, and there are small shells and sand scattered throughout the scene. The lighting suggests a sunny day, casting shadows and highlighting the textures of the rocks and marine life.
Anemone with Lobster – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A pink sea anemone with numerous slender tentacles is underwater, resting on a sandy seabed. The sand is speckled with small stones and shells. There are also a few strands of seaweed nearby, adding to the underwater scene.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A lighthouse stands prominently with a white picket fence in front of it. The building is silhouetted against a bright, glowing sunset or sunrise, creating a warm, golden hue in the sky. Several people are visible near the fence, some appearing to take photos or admire the view. The scene is slightly foggy, adding a soft, ethereal quality to the atmosphere. In the foreground, a person is walking along a path lined with small yellow flowers and greenery.
Lighthouse with Marine Layer Rolling in at Sunset – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A shiny, black, oval-shaped sea creature, possibly a sea slug or sea hare, is nestled on a rocky surface. The creature has a small hole or opening near its center. Surrounding it is a mix of green algae and brownish seaweed, covering the textured rock surface. The environment suggests a tide pool or coastal area.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A rocky surface covered with various types of marine life. There is a prominent growth of beige, coral-like formations that have a textured, intricate pattern. Surrounding these formations are patches of green algae and moss, giving the rock a mottled appearance. To the left, there is a cluster of brown seaweed. The lower part of the image shows a shallow pool of water with a sandy bottom, containing some scattered bits of algae and organic matter.
Sandcastle Worms – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A tide pool scene with a variety of marine life. In the center, there is a black sea hare, a type of sea slug, resting on the rocks. Surrounding it are various types of seaweed and algae, in shades of green and brown. The rocks are covered with patches of green algae, and there are some small pebbles visible in the water. The area is wet, indicating the presence of water in the tide pool.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A cluster of yellowish, worm-like marine creatures is intertwined on a sandy surface. Surrounding them are various types of seaweed and marine plants. The seaweed includes green, leafy types and some pinkish, coral-like formations. The scene appears to be underwater, possibly in a tide pool or shallow marine environment.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A vibrant yellow daisy stands out against a black and white background. The flower has a bright yellow center and petals, while the surrounding foliage and branches are in grayscale, highlighting the daisy's vivid color.
Sea Dahlia – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A bright yellow flower with a dark brown center stands out against a black and white background. The flower has multiple petals radiating from the center. The surrounding area consists of blurred foliage and stems, which are in grayscale, emphasizing the vibrant color of the flower.
California Sunflower – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A woman is walking along a path near a white picket fence. She is wearing a white jacket, black pants, and white sneakers, and carrying a backpack. The path leads to a white lighthouse with a black top, which is surrounded by a fence. The sun is setting or rising behind the lighthouse, creating a warm glow in the sky. There are some bushes and flowers along the path, and a bench with a couple of bags on it. The scene has a calm and serene atmosphere.
Lighthouse with Marine Layer Rolling in at Sunset – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
Underwater scene featuring a small, colorful nudibranch, a type of sea slug, resting on a dark, bushy patch of marine vegetation. The nudibranch has a translucent body with blue and white markings and delicate appendages. Surrounding it are various types of seaweed and algae, with shades of green, brown, and yellow, creating a natural and vibrant underwater habitat. The focus is primarily on the nudibranch, with the background slightly blurred.
Opalescent Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A vibrant underwater scene featuring a small, colorful sea slug, known as a nudibranch, with bright orange and blue hues. It is nestled among various types of seaweed and marine plants, including dark purple, pink, and green algae. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy bottom and the intricate details of the surrounding aquatic vegetation. The sunlight creates reflections and highlights on the water's surface, adding a shimmering effect to the scene.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, colorful sea creature, likely a nudibranch, is resting on a sandy surface underwater. It has vibrant orange and blue colors, with feathery appendages along its back. Surrounding it are patches of green and brown seaweed, as well as some pinkish coral-like structures. The water is clear, allowing sunlight to cast shadows and highlight the textures of the sand and marine life.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
Underwater scene with various types of seaweed and marine plants in shades of green, red, and brown. Among the plants, a small sea slug, possibly a nudibranch, is visible. It has a pale body with orange spots and appears to be crawling on the seaweed. The environment is rich with textures and colors, typical of a vibrant marine ecosystem.
Cockscomb Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A vibrant underwater scene in a shallow tide pool. At the center, a colorful sea slug, possibly a nudibranch, with a striking combination of bright orange and purple hues, is crawling on the sandy bottom. Surrounding the sea slug, various types of seaweed and algae in shades of green and brown are attached to the sand and rocks. The sunlight creates a shimmering effect on the water's surface, adding a sparkling quality to the scene.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
Underwater scene featuring a variety of seaweeds and marine plants. The colors range from dark greens to browns and yellows, with some patches of light filtering through the water. In the center, there is a small, camouflaged shrimp blending in with the surrounding vegetation. The shrimp is mostly transparent with some light blue and white markings, making it difficult to spot among the dense plant life.
Opalescent Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A white lighthouse with a black railing around the top sits under a clear blue sky. The building has a simple, rectangular shape with a pitched roof and two small chimneys on either end. In front of the lighthouse, there is a white picket fence and some low, bushy greenery. To the left of the lighthouse, a tall, white flagpole stands without a flag. The scene has a serene and slightly foggy atmosphere.
Lighthouse with Marine Layer Rolling in at Sunset – NPS Photo/D. Wieder
A close-up view of a marine creature, likely a sea anemone or a similar organism, nestled between rocks. It has a bright orange body with numerous translucent, tentacle-like structures extending from it. The edge of the creature is lined with a wavy, brownish pattern. The surrounding rocks have a rough texture and are various shades of brown and gray.
Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A large seashell lies on the sandy beach, partially covered by seaweed. The shell is white with hints of pink and brown, and it has a spiral shape with a rough texture. The opening of the shell reveals a dark, glossy interior with a reddish-brown hue. The sand around the shell is coarse, with small pebbles and grains visible. Seaweed strands are scattered around, adding a touch of green to the scene.
Kellets Whelk – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A vibrant pink sea anemone is nestled among various types of seaweed and marine life in a tide pool. The sea anemone has numerous slender tentacles radiating from its center. Surrounding it are green and brown seaweeds, as well as small clusters of barnacles and other marine organisms attached to the rocks. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the underwater scene.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A small, yellowish-orange flatworm is resting on a sandy surface underwater. The flatworm has a smooth, elongated body with a slightly pointed end. Its surface is dotted with tiny, lighter-colored speckles. Surrounding the flatworm are small grains of sand and a few green aquatic plants, which add a touch of color to the scene. The water is clear, allowing a detailed view of the flatworm and its surroundings.
Yellow-gilled Sea Goddess – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
Two large, dark sea slugs are partially submerged in shallow water on a sandy and rocky surface. The surrounding area is covered with patches of green algae and seaweed. The sea slugs have a glossy appearance, and their elongated bodies are visible against the lighter sand and rocks.
Black Sea Hares – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A small, pink sea creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, is resting on the sandy bottom of a shallow body of water. The sand is light-colored with small grains and some scattered debris. There are patches of green seaweed or aquatic plants nearby, and a few bubbles are visible on the water's surface. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the creature and the surrounding environment.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/T. Woods
Underwater scene with a sandy bottom. Green and brown seaweed strands are floating in the water. In the center, a small, pink, feathery marine creature, possibly a sea anemone or a type of soft coral, is attached to the sand. The water is clear, allowing the sunlight to create patterns on the sandy surface.
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A shallow tide pool with various rocks and shells. The rocks are of different sizes and colors, ranging from greenish to brownish hues. There are several sea snails with spiral shells scattered across the rocks, and a couple of larger conch-like shells. The water is clear, allowing a view of the textures and colors of the rocks and shells beneath the surface. Small marine life, such as barnacles, can also be seen attached to some of the rocks.
Kellets Whelk – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A close-up view of a rocky tide pool area. The scene includes various marine life and textures. There is a black and yellow sea creature, possibly a sea slug or a type of mollusk, nestled between rocks. The rocks are covered with algae and small barnacles. Some of the rocks have a rough texture with small pebbles embedded in them. There is also a small pool of water reflecting light, and some seaweed is visible in the upper left corner. The overall environment is wet and appears to be part of a coastal or intertidal zone.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A small, yellow-orange sea slug is resting on a sandy seabed. The slug has a rounded body with two small, dark spots that resemble eyes. Its surface appears slightly textured. Surrounding the slug are small grains of sand, bits of shell, and some green seaweed or algae. The water is clear, allowing a detailed view of the underwater scene.
Yellow-gilled Sea Goddess – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
A tide pool with a sea anemone nestled in a crevice of a rocky surface. The anemone has translucent, tentacle-like structures radiating from its center, which is a darker shade. Nearby, there is a cluster of barnacles attached to the rock. The surrounding rock surface is textured with patches of algae and other marine life, giving it a rugged appearance. The colors range from greenish hues to browns and purples, typical of a coastal environment.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A tide pool with a sea anemone at its center. The anemone has a circular shape with numerous tentacles that are greenish-blue with hints of yellow. Surrounding the anemone are various types of seaweed and algae, some of which are reddish-brown and others green. The sandy bottom of the tide pool is visible, and there are small rocks and pebbles scattered around. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the marine life within the pool.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A white egret stands on a rocky shoreline, surrounded by large rocks covered in dark seaweed. The bird is near the water's edge, with its reflection visible in the shallow water. In the background, gentle waves are rolling in, and more rocks are scattered across the water. The scene is bright and sunny, suggesting a clear day at the coast.
Snowy Egret – NPS Photo/T. Woods
Clear shallow water with a sandy bottom, covered in patches of green algae and seaweed. Several large, dark, blob-like creatures are visible, resembling sea slugs or sea hares. The sunlight creates a shimmering effect on the water's surface, casting shadows and highlighting the textures of the algae and the creatures. Small bubbles are scattered across the water.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/T. Woods
Sea Lion on a cliff over the ocean.
Sea Lion Suffering from Domoic Acid Toxicity – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A clear blue sky with a few scattered white clouds. A long line of birds is flying in formation across the sky, likely migrating. The horizon shows a glimpse of the ocean, suggesting the scene is near a coastline.
Pelicans – NPS Photo/T. Woods
Sea Lion on a cliff over the ocean.
Sea Lion Suffering from Domoic Acid Toxicity – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A vibrant sea slug, known as a nudibranch, is visible in shallow water. It has a striking purple body with bright orange appendages along its back. The sandy seabed is dotted with small pebbles and patches of seaweed. Thin green strands of aquatic plants are also present, casting shadows on the sandy bottom. The water is clear, allowing for a detailed view of the scene.
Spanish Shawl – NPS Photo/H. Marquez

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.