Let’s tide pool together.

Tide pooling is the act of exploring tiny ecosystems made accessible by a retreating tide. Unlike the flashy critters of a tropical reef, life in New England’s tide pools is often discreet. With Turning Tides, you have a guide to teach you all about the world between the tides and beyond them- from critter identification to Maine’s maritime culture.

  • A Baltic isopod rests on a man's hand

    Baltic isopods

    Idotea balthica

  • A brightly-colored sea star rests on a clump of seaweed

    Sea stars

    Asterias spp.

  • A woman's hand holds a blue mussel shell. The shell has two tortoiseshell limpets attached to it.

    Tortoiseshell limpets

    Testudinalia testudinalis

  • A large rock crab tucks itself under a rocky ledge.

    Cancer crabs

    Cancer spp.

  • A gloved hand holds up a small American lobster to face the camera.

    American lobster

    Homarus americanus

  • A small green crab perches on the back of a woman's hand.

    Green crabs

    Carcinus maenas

  • A small golden smooth periwinkle munches on seaweed.

    Periwinkles

    Littorina spp.

  • A yellow sea slug with red splotches clings to a rock.

    Sea lemons

    Doris pseudoargus

  • A bulbous, yellowy algae is attached to a heavily fouled rock.

    Sea potatoes

    Colpomenia peregrina

  • A black, ruffled sea slug with a green dotted pattern grazes on filamentous green algae.

    Emerald green elysia

    Elysia chlorotica

Turning Tides offers private guided tide pooling sessions across coastal Maine, community tide pooling events in Biddeford Pool, and other unique opportunities for ocean education hosted by Maine-based marine biologists.

Come learn with us by booking a private guided tide pooling session or reserving your spot in an upcoming event!

Meet the team

  • Aubrey is laying in a patch of seaweed with her head propped up with an arm and her legs crossed in front of her. She is wearing waders and a green lobster hat and is next to an orange home depot bucket.

    Aubrey Jane, MS

    FOUNDER & LEAD GUIDE

    Aubrey has a background in marine science and policy and considers herself an academic mutt. While her master’s thesis focused on the physiology of larval lobsters, she has also worked on ecology-focused projects and studied the human dimensions of marine resources. She is now excited to take on the role of small business owner and tide pool guide, sharing what she’s learned about Maine’s coastal ecosystems with you.

  • Connor is holding a camera and smiling while looking towards the sea. The sun is setting in the background.

    Connor Jones, MS

    TIDE POOL GUIDE & RESIDENT BIRD EXPERT

    Connor has a background in ecology and environmental education. He has experience teaching at the college level and in early-childhood settings. Originally from NY, he moved to Maine to pursue a master's degree in marine science. During his two-year thesis project, he investigated how the rapidly warming waters of the Gulf of Maine are impacting a local population of blue mussels.   

  • Delia is bundled up in winter clothes and smiling directly at the camera.

    Delia Carr

    MEDIA COORDINATOR

    Delia drives our visual and communications strategy, drawing on her degree in media production and specializing in video content and photography. She is instrumental in capturing high-quality imagery of tide pool critters and curating the social media content that translates scientific efforts into engaging narratives.