Deception Pass
Low Tide Adventure. Fidalgo Island, Washington
Deception Pass State Park has multiple locations where you can look at low tide creatures. I have only explored the side of the park north of the pass for low tide purposes. Rosario Beach is well known for tide pools but is not the most interesting location for lookings. During low tide, Park Rangers rope off a walk way along the pools for visitors to safely view the wildlife from. This is to protect the creatures that live here. If you visit Rosario beach first you can see the full route before more visitors arrive. There will not be more visible as the tide lowers further.
For more advance lookings proceed south to the Pacific Northwest trail and take it to Bowman Bay. Transverse Bowman Bay Beach and hook back up with the trail. Head west to go on the Lighthouse Point Trail. Pay close attention to the trail and look for opportunities to scramble down to the beach. There are multiple places to do this. These beaches disappear when the tides return so keep an eye on your timing. This can be a very physically challenging low tide adventure. It is recommended that you bring a friend.
LOCATION
For the full low-tide experience park at Rosario Beach and get warmed up by taking the roped walkway around the tide pools. This is easy to find- it will be directly in front of the parking area at the beach. If you wish to continue, head east to the Pacific NW trail. It will take you through Bowman Bay to a small system of two loop trails. Take the lighthouse loop. Look out on this loop for little scrambles down to beaches that only emerge during low tide. This is an advanced level low tide adventure as getting to the beaches may be physically challenging and potentially dangerous.