Waves crash against a rocky shoreline with foam covering the rocks. A tilted informational sign stands near eroded ground, and a broken concrete pier extends into the ocean.
Cabrillo, What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – October 2026

Waves crash against a rocky shoreline with foam covering the rocks. A tilted informational sign stands near eroded ground, and a broken concrete pier extends into the ocean.

What’s In the Tidepools? – October 2026

(High Tide – NPS Photo/Charlotte W.)

Our tidepool season has started, although with El Niño, there haven’t been great low tides yet. But we do have some interesting photos this month. Congregating isopods, while unusual at the tidepool entrance, may be a defensive move when they detect a drastic change in barometric pressure, such as when a tropical storm is approaching, when Tropical Storm Rachel came through.

We also saw a Portuguese man-o-war which is very unusual and dangerous. Speaking of dangerous, large surf and bluff collapses are occurring as well, with the average tide levels 1.5 feet above the predicted values.

Be mindful of bluff collapses and boulders sitting precariously above the tidepool entrance. Point out these dangers to visitors when they are in the area.

Underwater seaweed with dark green leaves surrounds a small, vibrant sea anemone with purple and yellow-tipped tentacles.
Spanish Shawl- NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
A green sea anemone with long, wavy tentacles sits in a tide pool surrounded by brown and reddish seaweed on a rocky surface.
Anemone – NPS Photo/VIP Tansy W.
A starfish with bumpy, colorful arms rests underwater on a rocky seabed, surrounded by smooth stones, seaweed, and sunlight creating ripples on the sand.
Knobby Sea Star – NPS Photo/VIP Tansy W.
A pale sea anemone with translucent tentacles is nestled between wet, mossy rocks in a shallow tide pool.
Anemone – NPS Photo/VIP Tansy W.
A close-up of a keyhole limpet in a tide pool, with its circular, ridged center surrounded by dark, wet edges, nestled among rocks, pebbles, and purplish seaweed.
Giant Keyhole Limpet- NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
A translucent, blue-tinted Portuguese man o’ war floats on water, its balloon-like body above seaweed and small golden-brown algae beneath the surface.
Portuguese man o’ war – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
Underwater rocks and seaweed with a small, bright orange sea anemone attached to a rock, surrounded by dark purple algae in a clear tide pool.
Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/VIP Tansy W.
A cluster of seaweed and marine algae clings to a rocky surface, with green finger-like fronds and patches of red and brown coral-like textures, wet from the tide.
Dead Man’s Fingers – NPS Photo/VIP Tansy W.
A small, bright orange mushroom grows on dark, damp soil surrounded by green moss and tiny plants.
Brooding anemone- NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
A translucent blue Portuguese man o’ war floats in shallow water near a mossy rock, with sunlight creating rippling patterns on the sandy bottom.
Portuguese man o’ war – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
Waves crash against rugged, rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky, with white spray shooting upward and the ocean stretching to the horizon.
Big Surf – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
Waves crash against rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky, sending white spray into the air. A rugged coastline with reddish cliffs and scattered rocks frames the ocean scene.
Big Surf – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
wo black shorebirds with bright orange beaks and pale legs stand on wet, rocky coastal terrain near foamy water.
Black Oyster Catchers – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.
Several small, dark, segmented insects cling to layered, rocky surfaces with white streaks, appearing in clusters across the rough textured stone.
Congregating Isopods – NPS Photo/VIP Denine H.

Tidepool season is here! Remember to send in your interesting photos.

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

Enjoy the virtual visit through the tidepools and Cabrillo.

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