Puget Sound Estuarium

Take a break with us and see the amazing world beneath our local piers!

Underwater lights attract spectacular estuary creatures for you to observe, while our volunteer naturalists help you identify and learn more about what you’ve found. Get a glimpse what's deep below with our underwater remotely operated vehicle.

Tickets at:
givebutter.com/ZittelsPierPeerJULY2026
givebutter.com/ZittelsPierPeerAUGUST2026
givebutter.com/ZittelsPierPeerSEPT2026

Join us for Meet the Beach! Chat with our Beach Naturalists to learn about beach stewardship and our local animals. Fill out the survey afterwards to enter a raffle for a prize thanks to Browsers Bookshop, Sensory Tool House, LLC, and The Rolling Pin.

June:
6/13, 10-1PM - Tolmie State Park
6/14, 10-1PM - Burfoot Park
6/19, 2-5PM - Tolmie State Park
6/27, 10-1PM - Burfoot Park & Squaxin Park
6/28, 10-1PM - Luhr Beach

This program is free thanks to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Olympia Yacht Club, Inspire Olympia, and Port of Olympia.

Tiny Tides story time is back for FREE Admission Days! You and your budding nature enthusiast can join us for stories about exploring tidepools, diving below in magical subs, and silly marine critter adventures.

No registration required, stop in anytime during the scheduled hour for story time.

Did you know there is a whole world of marine life living on and below our local piers? If not, that's why we host our Pier Peer program! Come check it out with us at Boston Harbor Marina Thursday, July 9th @ 8pm.

Limited spots available so grab your tickets early!
givebutter.com/PierPeerJULY2026

OR join us August 6th or 27th @ 8pm
givebutter.com/PierPeerAUGUST6th2026
givebutter.com/PierPeerAUGUST27th2026

If you missed the training last Tuesday we've got one more for you!

June 26th from 9-11am @ Tolmie State Park

Sign up via this link: https://forms.gle/TVUNa9ciUMmp6uhT6

Learn how to keep an eye out for invasive European green crabs by participating in a community science project called Molt Search, hosted by the Puget Sound Estuarium in collaboration with Washington Sea Grant's Crab Team, WSU Extension, and Tolmie State Park.

At this training you'll learn about the European Green Crab and why it's considered invasive. We'll go over local crab identification and anatomy. Then we'll practice the community science crab molt search together.

Stop in for a visit to see our rotating exhibit all about Plankton! These wanderers of the Salish Sea can be tiny but they are the base of the food web, produce the oxygen we breath, and much more. Come take a look and learn more about the plankton in our local waters.

Visitor Hours:
Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm

Learn how to keep an eye out for invasive European green crabs by participating in a community science project called Molt Search, hosted by the Puget Sound Estuarium in collaboration with Washington Sea Grant's Crab Team, WSU Extension, Nisqually Reach Nature Center, and Tolmie State Park.

At this training you'll learn about the European Green Crab and why it's considered invasive. We'll go over local crab identification and anatomy. Then we'll practice the community science crab molt search together.

There are two dates to choose from:
June 16th from 5-7pm @ Nisqually Reach Nature Center
OR
June 26th from 9-11am @ Tolmie State Park

Sign up via this link: https://forms.gle/TVUNa9ciUMmp6uhT6

Experience the estuary and connect with others at our upcoming programs!

Learn how you can keep an eye out for invasive European Green Crabs by participating in this easy community science project. Take a look at the microscopic world of plankton with us during weekend visitor hours. Or stay up late to check out what lives at the docks at night during Pier Peer at Zittel's Marina.

Registration links
Crab Molt Training: forms.gle/TVUNa9ciUMmp6uhT6
Pier Peer at Zittel's Marina: givebutter.com/zittelsPierPeerJUNE2026