Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area & Tidepool Exploration Information
Big Corona and the southern coves of the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are considered a Marine Protected Area. There is ABSOLUTELY NO COLLECTING of animals, shells or rocks from the tidepools. 
click OCMPA for complete guidelines or visit http://www.ocmarineprotection.org for more information.
Marine Protection Programs
Marine Protection and Education Supervisor
Michelle Clemente
(949) 644-3036
mclemente@newportbeachca.gov
Reservations
(949) 644-3038
MarineEducation@newportbeachca.gov
Programs
Tidepool Exploration
Monthly Beach Cleanups
Costal Cleanup Day
Monthly Tidepool Hikes
Tidepool Interpretive
Orange County Natural History Lecture Series
Back Bay Science Center Community Days
Mountain Sea Adventure Camps
Volunteering
Programs and activities are weather and tide dependent. Conditions vary daily. Click here for tides and weather conditions.
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| Little Corona Beach Low Tide |
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Little Corona Beach High Tide
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Same Beach, Different Tides
Make sure you check the tides before you head out to explore. Conditions vary from day to day. Both of the photos to the left were taken mid afternoon.
Tidepooling in the afternoon of the top photo may lead to some excellent discoveries and very cool creatures. Tidepooling on the afternoon of the bottom photo will most likely lead to a wet (and possible dangerous) trip with very little to see. Check tides in the newspaper or use the tide chart on this website. Remember, the lower the tide, the better!