Images of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

At the rocky shore, water advances and retreats daily with the changing tides, making it alternately part of land and ocean - the intertidal zone. For the animals living here, it is an environment of extremes and challenges. At low tide, the shore is exposed, leaving life to endure sun and drying conditions. At high tide, huge waves may roll in, pounding the shoreline with crashing surf.