©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Trégastel Alexandre Kozel (2)

High tide, low tideFollow the guide

The beach at low tide

12h45. While some of us are still enjoying an aperitif, we make good progress towards the Ile Renote parking lot. This is where Olivier, an animator at theTrégastel Marine Aquarium, has arranged to meet us for an outing to “Discover the beach at low tide”. With his huge waders, he’s easy to spot from afar… We’re a bit playful with our colorful rubber boots!

Getting there

Here, we live by the rhythm of the tide

Olivier explains: the best time to go fishing or simply explore the pools between the rocks is 1h30 before low tide. With a coefficient of 85 and a north-north-westerly wind, the sea won’t be receding much today. But that gives us plenty of time to enjoy it!

©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Trégastel Alexandre Kozel (6)|{"row-2":[[""]]}

©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Trégastel Alexandre Kozel (5)

Sortie découverte : La plage à marée basse avec L'Aquarium Marin de Trégastel — ©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Marin de Trégastel |Alexandre Kozel

©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Trégastel Alexandre Kozel (3)

Life on every floor

As soon as we arrived on the beach, we were all hands in the sand, from 4 to 63 years old. Touching, breathing, observing… all our senses are awakened, guided by Olivier. He draws our little group’s attention to the “laisse de mer”, what the sea leaves on the beach, its seaweed, its shells… Super food for seabirds, insects and sea fleas!

Life under the rocks

As we descend, the sand becomes wetter and darker. Life is also increasingly present close to the rocks. Good foundations, curtains of algae to shelter from the light, secret hiding places, natural baths: a real home for many marine species!

Sortie découverte plage à marée basse avec L'Aquarium Marin de Trégastel — ©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Marin de Trégastel|Alexandre Kozel

©Sortie découverte de la plage à marée basse|Stéphanie Dabernat

Introduction to a local practice

As we make our discoveries, Olivier shares a few tips with us: distinguish between real and fake periwinkles, the kind the Bretons call Koc’h Ki – dog poo, we’ll let you guess why; differentiate between the red-eyed curler and the green crab, which isn’t always green; catch a crab with your bare hands; always put natural elements back in their place so as not to disturb the ecosystem…

A fun way to learn about the riches of the coastline

Children wade in the small saltwater pools. Some observe shrimps and gobies, while others venture to spot crabs under the seaweed… It’s great to see them learning about marine ecology and respect for this fragile balance while having fun!

Time to head back!

Suddenly one of them exclaims: “The sea is getting closer!”
We look up. The scenery is superb, with large waves in the distance crashing against the chaos of pink granite… But it’s time to start the return journey, because beware of the currents when the tide comes in!

Everyone is blown away by the texture of a kelp sling: “It feels like rubber!”

©Sortie Découverte Marée Basse Aquarium Trégastel Alexandre Kozel (4)

Output

6,20€

for ages 4 and up

Olivier’s advice for a responsible low-tide outing

Tell someone close to you where and when you’re going
Take advantage of tidal coefficients above 70
Start your outing 1h30 before low tide
Wear boots (and bring windbreaker and sunscreen)
If you don’t know it, don’t touch it! Some species are particularly stinging or allergenic…
Put pebbles and seaweed back where they belong, so as not to disturb the ecosystem.
Tourist offices distribute rulers to help you find out the legal sizes for shore fishing.