The flats harbour a universe of marine life, including soft-shell clams, burrowing sea worms, tiny mud shrimp, and a raft of other creatures that attract sandpipers and shorebirds. A tide pole marks the high and low water levels; nearby are a telescope and an exhibit on ocean tides. Park naturalists lead interpretive walks across the tidal flats in summer.

At times, seemingly endless switchbacks cross rocky gorges riven by streams. When the tide is out, the gorges provide access to the exposed shoreline, where you should fight for space with tens of thousands of birds combining the nutrient rich flats for food. Over 245 bird species have been recorded in the area including great blue herons, cormorants, semi-palmated sandpipers, and semi-palmated plover along the water and various warblers along the forested stretches.