Coast Encounters

Coast Encounters For tourists and natives alike, tidepool explorations with Coast Encounters are a unique, fun, and hands-on way to learn about Maine’s rocky coast!

Carol Steingart is a marine science educator who has been conducting intertidal programs for over 20 years. Carol, also known as “Coastal Carol,” fell in love with the marine world when she first went to the Shoals Marine Laboratory as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire in 1977. Having grown up on the flat, sandy beaches of Long Island, NY, she was immediately captivated by the ro

cky shoreline of Maine and the critters under the rocks. After working in the freshwater streams of New Hampshire in the 70s, and in the music recording engineering field in the 80s, she returned to her passion in the tide pools of Maine when she was asked to bring in some marine creatures to her daughter’s second grade class. Her presentation on tide pool critters was so good, the teachers and students asked her back year after year. Today, Carol offers unique intertidal excursions on the Maine coast to small groups and brings the tide pools to schools and other locations. Carol’s favorite marine creature is the horseshoe crab. Her passion for horseshoe crabs comes out in her special program offerings and excursions featuring these “prehistoric helmets of the sea.”Carol holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire. She is a Shoals Marine Lab faculty member and a lifetime member of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA). Carol is also a past president and lifetime member of the Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association (GOMMEA). She holds a Maine state license to collect intertidal organisms for educational purposes.Whether she is leading excursions to the rocky shore or bringing live organisms into the classroom, libraries, birthday parties, camps, or assisted living facilities, kids and grown-ups love Carol’s enthusiastic approach to hands-on learning.

05/27/2026
05/26/2026

Did anyone hear me on NPR’s Maine Calling today?

TIDEPOOLING SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!
05/25/2026

TIDEPOOLING SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!

After 10 years I revived and improved my Sensational Sea Vegetables cooking class. A huge shout-out goes to participant ...
05/08/2026

After 10 years I revived and improved my Sensational Sea Vegetables cooking class.
A huge shout-out goes to participant Ron Sher for creating this image and limerick.

HAPPY EARTH DAY! I led hands-on activities with my inflatable tidepool and hermit crab races. Thanks to Ogunquit Museum ...
04/22/2026

HAPPY EARTH DAY!
I led hands-on activities with my inflatable tidepool and hermit crab races. Thanks to Ogunquit Museum of American Art and Great Works Regional Land Trust for partnering to make Earth Day a fun celebration.

I took a deep dive into maritime history yesterday and toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. What an incredible place an...
04/17/2026

I took a deep dive into maritime history yesterday and toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. What an incredible place and so many stories. I’m obsessed with the story of the SS 192 Squalus submarine that sunk off the coast of the Isles of Shoals in 1939 on a routine test run. 33 crew men were rescued using the first-ever used McCann (Munson) dive bell. Check out YouTube for the full story.

I had a great inspiring day at the annual BOS Symposium. I learned about the latest technology in bioplastics, the lates...
03/27/2026

I had a great inspiring day at the annual BOS Symposium. I learned about the latest technology in bioplastics, the latest update on North Atlantic Right Whales (only 384 left), and lots of info on Common Terns, Green Crabs, Mola mola rescues, White Sided Dolphins, Mini- Boat adventures, Microplastics, and Ghost Gear retrieval efforts. Whew!

Address

Wells, ME
04090

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 9pm
Tuesday 6am - 9pm
Wednesday 6am - 9pm
Thursday 6am - 9pm
Friday 6am - 9pm
Saturday 6am - 9pm
Sunday 6am - 9pm

Telephone

(207) 831-4436

Website

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