Extreme Tidepooling & Seafood Forage
Extreme Tidepooling & Seafood Forage: 3-4 hours, time varies with tides $58 per person, $10 to rent a farmer john/jane style wetsuit
Hope you can join us for a day of exploring the rocky intertidal coast. Meet along the coast north of Santa Cruz joining a Blue Water naturalist as we explore the tidepools. Wetsuits are recommended to really “experience” the coast. Depending upon the time of year, we’ll harvest some mussels to cook right on the beach using a gourmet recipe while the sunsets over the water. Group size is limited to 16. This speciality tour is offered a few times throughout the year during the winter months.
Our next Extreme Tidepool and Seafood Forage Outing will be in the fall during mussel foraging season.
Join us in the summer or fall for tidepool exploration, tidepool snorkeling then optional fishing and crabbing at Santa Cruz Wharf (ask about an additional rate for a full day with us exploring the coast then ending our day on the Santa Cruz Wharf)
Book a private tour or review our Local Tour Dates
Book a private tour with 3 or more of your friends, email Kim for details at: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
3-4 people~ $120 per person 5-7 people~$90 per person
for a private day with our naturalist, 8 or more the above rates apply.
” The tidepool outing is a real keeper – such amazing diversity and beauty – thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with us! Eating mussels freshly foraged from the ocean & prepared right on the beach (with all the gourmet fixins) was a sensory delight!” Ruth Krantz
Watch our Extreme Tidepooling Video
Welcome to our Extreme Tidepooling and Seafood Forage:
Our day will involve exploring the dynamic rocky shore habitat at Davenport Landing or another stunning coastal destination with a naturalist. The Central California Coast contains some of the most diverse intertidal areas in the world! We will help you understand the intricate adaptations of tidepool inhabitants such as sea anemones, sea stars, kelp crabs and cling fish. A minus tide allows us to explore some areas that are only accessible during low tides. We refer to this experience as Extreme Tidepooling as we offer opportunities to see nooks and crannies and sea creatures that require getting wet.
Wetsuits are not mandatory but we encourage you to use one to fully participate in our program as you ” follow the leader “.
During the winter months, we plan on collecting a few mussels to sample–this will not be a full course meal! However, we will provide the fixings for mussels and will prepare them on the beach after we tidepool (weather permitting). We will harvest in an area where our impact will be low (we have discussed this with several marine biologist who agree that this is an appropriate area). Your guides will have the collecting permit needed for this activity. You can bring your favorite adult beverage, leave it in the car and then fetch it as we cook up the mussels.
As far as things to bring, here are a few suggestions I can offer:
* Wetsuit recommended–you may change into one at the beach (bathing suit or underwear are fine underneath); you may rent a FarmerJohn style wetsuit from us for $10
* Dress in layers on top — Fleece, capilene, silk or wool are good insulators; bring a warm top that can be put on if cool weather (fog) approaches; Several warm layers are recommended.
* Long pants: fleece or sweat pants with an a outer shell of nylon material or rain pants if you are not wearing a wetsuit
* Rain jacket/pants — we will hike in light rain
* Footgear for tidepooling – tennis shoes, Teva type sandals or wet suit booties — any style is fine as along as they have tread; shoes may get wet as we tidepool; bring an extra pair of tennis shoes and warm socks for afterwards to leave in car
* Hat with visor for sun protection
* Water bottle, snack
* Beverage and snack to enjoy while the mussels are cooking; you may bring something to share with group if you would like too
* Beach chair, towel and/or blanket
* Sunscreen and lip balm
* Sun glasses
*Snorkel mask or googles (optional)
* Binoculars and camera–secured in a dry bag
* Change of clothes (you may want to change into them after we tidepool and while the mussels are cooking)
* Face Mask and personal Hand Sanitizer
That covers the logistics for Our Extreme Tidepooling and Seafood Forage. A full refund will be given if the trip is cancelled due to inclement weather (unsafe sea conditions; not light rain or fog). Release forms will be discussed and signed at the Bakery before we depart.
We are looking forward to our adventure together!
Very Sincerely,
Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
phone & fax: 831-459-8548
www.bluewaterventures.org
email: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
127 Mason St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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DIRECTIONS ~ we will send final updates by email
Davenport Landing is less than one mile north of Davenport town on Highway One; turn off is at the bottom of a small hill; park near the bathrooms and entrance to the beach; Most of our tidepooling will be done to the north (right on the beach). The location of the beach parking area and bathrooms is just past the Davenport Abalone Farm located at: 245 Davenport Landing Rd, Davenport, CA 95017. For other locations north of Santa Cruz, we will send you an email update.
