Outdoors: King tides offer the perfect time to explore world not usually visible

Sometimes Mother Nature offers tantalizing insights into mystery worlds we seldom see.

Such is the case when the Earth, sun and moon align to briefly create dramatic tidal swings that fluctuate between massive waves crashing against our coast to the exposure of seldom-seen underwater reefs during the extreme low tide cycle.

Known as king tides, these extreme ocean events typically happen around the time of the full moon in December and January but sometimes extend from November to March.

Twice each day, the normal rhythm of the tides from high to low is exaggerated during king tides.

Since these huge tidal swings can also be magnified by winter storms, it is often the high tides that get the most attention as the massive waves pound beaches with ground-shaking power.

But it’s the dramatic low tides that allow ocean waters to recede from normal levels, allowing the curious to explore a world not usually visible without a submarine or sophisticated diving equipment.

King tides this year got an early start, with the first cycle of extreme fluctuations showing up for four days at the beginning of the month.

Beachcombers got a preview of what they might expect in the months ahead.

I decided to visit Swami’s Beach in Encinitas, known for the underwater reef that can be unveiled during extreme low tides, exposing a rich world of marine life.

Swami’s Reef is designated as a State Marine Conservation Area, a 12.71-square-mile zone created to protect the unique habitat and its inhabitants by limiting their removal.

It’s one of the better spots along San Diego County’s coastline to view the lush collection of other-worldly life found in this unique ecosystem known at the intertidal zone.

As I descended the long staircase normally filled with surfers seeking perfect waves, I noticed a different crowd.

Families with excited children were moving across the open sand like a receding wave as they headed to the exposed reef.

Getting closer, I could hear excited conversations, gleeful shouts of youthful discovery, and focused wonder as parents guided these young explorers on their visit to this new world.

Approaching one pool, a family was cheek to cheek, gazing at a small octopus that had ventured out slightly from a sheltered rock alcove. Its ability to change colors made it almost invisible until one of its long arms reached out to grasp a possible bit of food.

Nearby, a father pointed out a bright orange sea star to a fascinated youngster, and the waving tentacles of a sea anemone swayed with gentle currents of water moving through the tide pool.

Hermit crabs, not used to so many prying eyes, scurried about with their appropriated homes on their back, tiny fish cruised the shallow water of the tide pools as seagrass swayed with an ocean rhythm generated by distant waves.

One young explorer lifted a delicate brittle star briefly from the water to the joyful oohs and aahs of curious onlookers.

Young and old visitors were kneeling, gazing, and lost in this newly visible world of exotic plants and animals.

I noticed a woman with a flashlight intently studying a small tide pool.

She seemed more focused than other explorers, so I approached to ask what she was looking for.

Her name was Sammy Anderson from Carlsbad who has a degree in marine biology from the University of Washington.

She is fascinated by a tiny creature known as a nudibranch, more popularly called sea slugs.

With the aid of her light, she was able to investigate hidden places in search of this often-colorful creature.

She also had a small, waterproof camera with super close-up ability and showed me a few images she had captured of an orange, pea-sized sea slug known as a white-spotted goddess.

“Typical beachgoers might never see one because they are so easy to miss, there are thousands of species of nudibranchs, so when you finally find one you’ve never seen before, it’s exciting,” Anderson said.

I had to get a picture and fortunately had come with a macro lens for just this purpose.

But the colors of the tiny sea slugs fade when they are out of water, and my lens was not waterproof.

Fortunately, Anderson was willing to share some of her beautiful images for this column.

The sun was now setting low behind an incoming layer of clouds.

Soon, the tide pool would vanish under the wash of the rising tide, but my brief visit to this wonderland was memorable.

The cycle of extreme tides will return with the most significant minus tides appearing on the afternoons of Dec. 3-8, Jan. 1-6 and 16-19, Feb. 1-3 and 14-18, and Feb. 28-March 3. Ideally look for tides that are at least as -1 foot.

The lowest of the king tides will be Jan. 2 and 3 at -1.80 feet.

Times for low tide may vary slightly depending on location, so for the most accurate information, consult an online tide chart.

San Diego County’s coastline is rich with underwater reefs that appear during these minus-tide cycles.

In addition to Swami’s, some of the best tide pool locations include Cabrillo National Monument at the south end of Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Pacific Beach, Bird Rock and Shell Beach in La Jolla, Dike Rock at La Jolla Shores and the pools at the south end of Cardiff State Beach.

Don’t be afraid to get a little wet.

Grab the kids, neighbors or special friends and let the exploration begin.

Cowan is a freelance columnist. Email ernie@packtrain.com or visit erniecowan.substack.com.