Boston Harbor Marina is located North of Olympia on the east side of the mouth of Budd Inlet.
Directions: North on East Bay Drive which becomes Boston Harbor Road, seven miles to 73rd Ave N.E., turn left to marina. Parking is available across street.
Good Marina Behavior: The marina is privately owned. The public is allowed to visit the dock and beach. Non-swimmers and small children MUST wear a life jacket (loaners are available) on the dock. No running on dock or boarding private boats. Watch, but please don’t touch the creatures.
Boston Harbor Marina
Habitats
Pilings (P), like a rocky intertidal beach, are exposed to air (low tide) or covered by water (high tide) so hardy species live at the top and delicate species at the bottom. The underside of Floats (F) support deep water organisms that don’t tolerate drying or sunshine. Open Water (O) provides a home to young and adults of a variety of organisms. The Sea Bottom (B) below the floats is home to many animals and plants.
Common Animals and Plants
Acorn Barnacle (P): Related to shrimp and crab.
Bay Mussel (F): Related to clams, eats plankton.
Crystal Jelly (O): Small, glows when disturbed.
Dock Shrimp (P): Medium sized, seasonal.
Fried Egg Jelly (O): Medium jelly, stings.
Giant Plumose Anemone (F/P): Largest anemone.
Graceful Crab (B): Small, common, predator.
Great Blue Heron (F): Common, shoreline hunter.
Harbor Seal (F): Rests on floats, log rafts.
Hybrid Gull (P): Common, cross between Western and Glaucous-winged gull.
Lion’s Mane Jelly (O): Largest jelly, stings.
Northern Feather-duster Worm (F): Leathery tube protects worm from predators, eats plankton.
Northern Kelp Crab (P): Eats plants.
Obelia Hydroid (F): Anemone kin, tree shape.
Purple Sea Star (P/F): Common, eats barnacles.
Red Rock Crab (B): Medium sized, predator.
Shiner Surfperch (O): Small fish, live bearer.
Sugar Kelp (F): Brown seaweed, tastes sweet.
Sunflower Sea Star (B): Largest sea star.
Three-spine Stickleback (O): Small fish, male builds nest (plants/debris), attracts female.
Click here to find out more about local marine animals and plants.
Protect marine organisms by:
- Proper disposal of pet waste
- Using organic lawn care products
- Annual septic tank inspection
- Keeping pollutants out of storm drains
Remember – all water flows downhill to streams and estuaries!
What to See
Low Tide: Look for burrowing shrimp and clams in beach around boat launch and marina. Walk the dock at the marina looking for animals on the pilings, floats or on the sea bottom. Watch for sea birds, Harbor seals and River otters.
High Tide: Watch gull and other sea birds feed. Walk along the dock looking at the animals and plants that live on the sides of the floats. Wade in shallow water on the beach looking for small fish and shrimp.