Notes about your surroundings

Low Tidings--The Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point will offer a series of tide pool programs every Sunday during February and March.

Traditionally, this is the time of year when Orange County tides reach their lowest levels. These tide pool programs will take visitors into the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge in search of hermit crabs, sea anemones, kelp snails and mussels. Tide pool explorers may also find two-spot octopuses, tide pool sculpin, starfish, gooseneck barnacles and several varieties of predatory snails.

The program also teaches participants how to enjoy tide pools without damaging the environment. Program instructors include these rules for exploring coastal tidelands: never remove an attached animal, walk gently and, most important, never take home any souvenirs.

The Super (Minus-Tide) Sunday Tide Pool Program costs $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children. Reservations are required. Times for the program will vary according to the tides.

Additionally, the Orange County Marine Institute also has a self-guided program for youths ages 5 to 12 and is available for use at any low tide.

To get to the Orange County Marine Institute, take Coast Highway to Dana Point Harbor Drive. The marine institute is at Dana Point Harbor at the end of the drive.

For more information on the Super (Minus-Tide) Sunday Tide Pool Program, or for a free self-guided program, call the Orange County Marine Institute, (714) 496-2274.