Lowest tides of 2025 in Bellingham this week. What to know for tidepool viewing
Washington could see some of its lowest tides of the year this week.
In Bellingham, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts tides will reach 3.5 feet below a normal low tide. That’s tied for the lowest tide prediction Bellingham will see this year – it’s expected to reach -3.5 again in early December, according to predictions made by NOAA.
Low tides can reveal marine life along Bellingham shores, and with sunny weather expected Wednesday and Friday, it could be an optimal time to look for tidepools.
When is the tide at its lowest and what can Bellingham beachgoers see? Here’s what to know.
Bellingham low tides this week
Tide levels are expected to reach right around -3.5 twice this week. The first time came at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, when the tide hit -3.49. Wednesday is expected to see an even lower tide – -3.54 at 12:35 p.m.
The low tides continue throughout the week – Thursday’s low is -3.18 at 1:23 p.m. and Friday’s is -2.49. Tides finally return to relatively normal levels on Saturday, when the low is -1.58.
What’s causing low tides?
Tides are primarily caused by the gravitation pulls of the moon and the sun on the Earth’s oceans.
Around full and new moons, the moon is at the point in its orbit where it aligns with the Earth and sun, resulting in a stronger pull on the oceans. As a result, the days near a new or full moon tend to see the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.
The night of May 26 was a new moon. Other factors like weather and wind patterns affect tides as well.
Tidepooling in Bellingham
Low tide can give beachgoers the chance to see marine life that’s not always visible from the shore.
Tidepools, dips in the ocean floor along that shore that collect water even as the tide ebbs, offer an up-close look at marine life and are most visible at low tide.
According to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife blog post, tides of -2.5 feet and below offer the best chance to see marine life. According to DFW, it’s common to see algae, anemones, barnacles, sea stars, sea lettuce and chitons during low tide.
Keeping yourself and wildlife safe
When tidepooling, you should take these steps to make sure that you’re protecting yourself and the marine life you’re observing, according to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary:
Don’t forcefully pick up a marine animal that’s resisting being moved
Don’t force an animal off of its spot
Leave rocks the way you found them
Use footholds on bare rocks
Pay attention to waves and rising tides
Use caution when stepping on a rock
Wear sturdy shoes
Keep children close
Don’t bring dogs onto tidal rocks
Always have at least one foot on the ground