It’s high time for low tide beachcombing on Vashon Island!

May 8, 2:27 PMVashon Island ExaminerDianne Krouse

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This is a great time of year when the tides are at their lowest. We get a rare peek at Puget Sound marine life that typically escapes observation throughout the year. In our tide flats and pools you can discover all kinds of sea life including a variety of sea stars, urchins, kelp, anemone, mollusks, fish, and several other varieties. Vashon has several great beaches to explore as well as an annual low tide celebration.

Low tide beachcombing tips: Arrive early so you don’t miss the low point. Pack food, water, sun screen, extra clothes and your camera. Photos are the best and only mementos to take from the beach. Have fun and please comb responsibly.

Tide Table Source

Vashon Beaches:  Map

• Docton Beach Park in Quartermaster Harbor: Swimming, fishing access, boat launch, dock, moorage, covered picnic area, playground, restroom and parking.
• KVI Beach: A sand spit at Point Heyer on southeast Vashon. Picnics, sunbathing, wading, sand sculptures, wildlife and great place to be at low tide. Very limited parking and no restroom.
• Jensen Point: On the Burton peninsula. Boat launch, kayaking, picnic tables, restrooms and parking. At times there are canoe or kayak rentals. Sandy and cobblestone beach.
• Lisabeula: Half way down the West side of the island on Colvos Passage. Fishing access, sani-can, small beach with picnic tables.
• Maury Island Marine Park: Near Point Robinson. 303 acres of trails and a mile long beach. The beach is a 15 minute occasionally steep walk from the parking lot. The site of an old gravel pit. Lots of geoducks!
• North End Boat Ramp: The beach by the ferry dock. Watch the ferries from underneath the dock at low tide. Great place for low tide beachcombing with pilings, rock outcroppings and tidal pools.
• Point Robinson Lighthouse: On the far East side of Maury. Walking trails, picnic tables, great views of Puget Sound shipping lanes, lighthouse and kite flying. Two renovated keeper’s quarters are available for rent. Point Robinson is the location for the annual Vashon-Maury low tide festival celebration.

Map for all Vashon Island beaches and parks

Vashon-Maury Island Lowtide Celebration
Where: Point Robinson
When: May 25, 2009 – Monday, Memorial Day, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Spend your Memorial Day at Point Robinson for a family-friendly low tide celebration with People for Puget sound and co-sponsors. 

• Enjoy low tide guided beach walks and learn how to appreciate and protect Puget Sound marine life.
• Tour the Point Robinson Lighthouse
• Beach activities for kids
• Beach / marine life presentations
• Enjoy your day at the beach!

Detailed event schedule in the Vashon Beachcomber

Link to Vashon Ferry Schedule

Puget Sound Marine Life Photos
Marine Photos
Marine Life

Low Tide Applications
There are also some great low tide applications for your iPhone or iPod Touch like this great one called Tide Graph available through the iTunes Apps Store. Tide Graph

How do tides work?
Wiki Tides

Vashon, Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, Seattle and Other Local Northwest Tide Tables:
Tide Table Source