Spring in Seattle Southside: Marine Life, Birding & Why-cations

This month, we’re sharing a mix of nature-focused discoveries, inspiring local profiles, and upcoming events — including spring bird migration hotspots, a remarkable rhododendron collection cultivated by a 90-year-old gardener, and the entrepreneurs behind some of Seattle Southside’s most beloved family-run businesses.

As always, we’re happy to help coordinate interviews, tours, images, or additional details for any of the ideas below.

How a new underwater camera is helping locals connect with Puget Sound’s marine life
The MaST Center Aquarium in Des Moines recently installed a live underwater camera in Puget Sound, allowing visitors and online viewers to watch marine life in real time—from rockfish and crabs to the species that inhabit the waters just offshore. View the live feed at this link.

The camera—supported by Explore Seattle Southside—offers travelers and locals alike a rare window into the underwater world of Puget Sound, helping build awareness of the marine life that thrives just beneath the surface of this urban shoreline.

The MaST Center Aquarium is the marine biology and aquarium facility of Highline College, serving as both a public aquarium and an educational hub for students studying marine science. The center plays a key role in educating visitors about the health of Puget Sound and the importance of protecting native marine ecosystems.

Interestingly, the Des Moines waterfront has also gained attention among divers as a hotspot for sixgill sharks, with some referring to the area as the “Sixgill Shark Capital of the World.” In fact, the region even celebrates Sixgill Shark Day each year in July, a designation created to raise awareness of the species’ presence in Puget Sound and promote conservation efforts to protect these elusive deep-water sharks. The main street along the waterfront was also recently designated “Sixgill Shark Way” in commemoration.

Visitors can learn more about these species during the MaST Center’s free Discovery Days, held every Saturday year-round. During these open house events, the public can explore the aquarium and interact with highly knowledgeable staff and volunteers while learning about the region’s marine life.

Unlike many aquariums, the MaST Center focuses exclusively on native species of the Pacific Northwest, with more than 250 local species on display—including octopus, sea stars, jellyfish, and rockfish. The facility also features educational exhibits with real skeletons of whales, seals, and other marine mammals, helping visitors better understand the biodiversity and ecological importance of Puget Sound.

Interested in diving in? Eight Diving  and TL Sea Diving are now enrolling students and advanced divers in a variety of classes. Divers here are rewarded with vibrant kelp forests, colorful nudibranchs, schools of rockfish, graceful lingcod—and if you’re lucky, sightings of the Giant Pacific Octopus tucked into rocky crevices. The calm underwater landscape makes it an ideal place for beginners to build confidence while experiencing some of the most beautiful cold-water diving in the Pacific Northwest.

Certified scuba divers can also join weekly dives—often held at Redondo Beach—with GUI Seattle, a non-profit affiliate of Global Underwater Explorers dedicated to diver education, exploration, and conservation.

Where Family and Flavor Meet in Seattle Southside
Across Seattle Southside, dynamic mother-child teams are behind some of the area’s most beloved local businesses. From handcrafted chocolates to Filipino flavors and afternoon tea, these inspiring families reflect the creativity, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit shaping the community. With Mother’s Day approaching, here are a few places where visitors can celebrate the women leading these family-run ventures.

• Maeve Chocolate – CEO Jean Thompson and her daughter Ellie Thompson collaborate on bold flavors and the brand’s recent Maeve reimagining, continuing a family legacy in chocolate-making.
• Neighborhood Cafe – Chef Max Heigh leads the kitchen, serving Filipino-inspired dishes, while his mother, Leeann Subelbia, manages the business side of this popular community café.
• Tandoori Slice – A family-run Indian fusion pizza spot where mother and daughter work side by side creating pizzas that blend traditional Indian spices with classic pizza favorites.
• Natalie's Sugarcane & Dessert – This mother-son-daughter team serves Vietnamese-inspired desserts and sugarcane drinks, bringing sweet treats and family energy to the community.
• Urban Tapri – A mother-and-sons team behind this vibrant Indian street food restaurant known for bold flavors and a warm family atmosphere.
• Masae's Teriyaki – Located along the newly designated World Table District, this flavorful spot is run by Eddy Kim, who works alongside his parents to serve up juicy, tender teriyaki dishes and Yakisoba Noodles.

We’d be happy to coordinate site tours, tastings, or interviews upon request.

Birding in Seattle Southside: Peak Spring Migration Is Here
April and May mark the height of spring migration along the Pacific Flyway, when thousands of birds travel north from Mexico, Central America, and even South America to reach their breeding grounds in Washington and Alaska. For a few vibrant weeks, Seattle Southside becomes a rest stop for colorful songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors moving through Puget Sound.

Start with an early morning walk along the Des Moines Creek Trail, where forest and creek habitats attract migrating warblers, vireos, swallows, and woodpeckers. Continue down to Des Moines Beach Park to scan the shoreline for gulls, sandpipers, and dabbling ducks riding the tides.

Then head to Saltwater State Park, where mixed forest and beachfront terrain offer bald eagles overhead, grebes and cormorants offshore, and newly arrived songbirds filling the trees with sound.

Save the date for May 17 for a guided Bird Walk with Barbara along the Des Moines Pier, Beach Park, and part of the Des Moines Creek Trail. Binoculars, sunrise, salt air — and the thrill of spotting a flash of a Yellow Warbler in the trees. Spring in Seattle Southside is basically a live nature documentary if you know where to look. The Rainier Audubon Society offers free, self-guided tours here.

Find a local gardener’s lifelong rhododendron collection blooming in SeaTac this spring
As rhododendrons reach peak bloom across the Seattle region this spring, one of the area’s most remarkable displays comes with an equally compelling human story.

At the Hicks Rhododendron & Azalea Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, a 90-year-old local gardener named Bill Hicks has spent decades cultivating a rare collection of rhododendrons and azaleas—some sourced from as far away as Japan. In September 2023, Bill celebrated his 90th birthday by officially donating 400 plants and breaking ground on the permanent home for his beloved collection at the garden, surrounded by more than 70 friends and family.

Now, as the blooms reach their seasonal peak through May, visitors can experience both the vibrant display and the story behind it. Bill still visits the garden every week to tend to the plants he spent a lifetime collecting. I’d be happy to help coordinate a tour or interview to support this springtime story about legacy, horticulture, and one man’s dedication to preserving rare rhododendrons for the public to enjoy. To view a video interview with Bill, click here. Discover other spots to catch the peak bloom.

Travelers are booking “why-cations” — here’s where to try one near Seattle
Travelers are increasingly planning trips around “why-cations” — experience-driven getaways centered on learning a new skill or diving into a passion. Just minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle Southside offers an unexpected lineup of hands-on activities where visitors can create, taste, and learn something new on a single trip.

Here are a few experiences turning the area into a hub for creative travel:

• Learn the ancient art of mead-making. At Oppegaard Meadery, guests can take a hands-on class exploring the history of mead, the fermentation process, and the ingredients that transform honey into one of the world’s oldest beverages.
• Create a miniature ecosystem. At Zenith Holland Nursery & Gift, workshops range from terrarium building to pruning and plant care — a relaxing way for travelers to connect with nature and take home a living souvenir.
• Build something with your own hands. Woodworking classes at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware introduce beginners to tools and techniques while guiding participants through projects they can complete in a single session. Check upcoming events to create something special, like a Washington State Shaped Cutting Board on April 25 and 30.
• Taste chocolate straight from the source. At Maeve Chocolate, visitors can tour a vibrant 60,000-square-foot factory from its signature hot-pink mezzanine while learning about the bean-to-bar process, try blind tastings of popular flavors, and even create their own custom chocolate bar with a variety of toppings to take home.
• Try your hand at sewing or DIY fashion. At TuTugether, travelers can join workshops focused on sewing, fashion design, and hands-on creative projects perfect for beginners.
• Plan ahead for a creative getaway. Taking place August 14–16 along the Puget Sound waterfront in Des Moines, Camp Craftaway is part summer camp for adults, part crafting retreat — a weekend designed entirely around creativity, community, and hands-on learning.

Together, these experiences showcase how travelers are seeking more meaningful ways to engage with destinations — leaving not just with photos, but with new skills, knowledge, and creative inspiration.

Happy to coordinate visits, classes, interviews, or additional story ideas around experience-driven travel and “why-cations” in Seattle Southside.

This Seattle-Area Restaurant Owner Is Raising 10 Kids — and Bringing Pacific Island Flavors to the PNW
With Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mother’s Day both approaching in May, here’s a compelling profile opportunity about the woman behind one of Seattle Southside’s most distinctive culinary stories.

Angela Mose, co-owner of the recently opened Pasifika NW Grill & Bar, brings together family, culture, and Pacific Island traditions in a way that reflects both her personal story and the diverse backgrounds of her household.

A former hotel management professional, Angela shifted paths to focus on food—and today runs Pasifika while raising 10 children, ages 6 to 24. The restaurant’s owners span multiple Pacific Island cultures, bringing together perspectives and traditions from different islands that influence the menu.

At Pasifika, Angela blends Pacific Island flavors with Pacific Northwest ingredients, offering dishes that reflect both her roots and the region she calls home. The restaurant has become a place where culture, storytelling, and family traditions come together through food. If this is of interest, I’d be happy to coordinate an interview with Angela or arrange a visit to Pasifika. Angela is one of several women taking the lead in Seattle Southside; click here for several more.

Dates to Note:
E90 Soccer Grand Opening, March 29
Slated to open March 29, E90 Soccer is bringing a next-generation 150,000-square-foot indoor training facility to the region, powered by advanced technology and AI-driven performance tools. Ideal for teams and groups, the new space features immersive systems like SoccerBot360, cognitive speed tracking, and instant replay video analysis. Technology delivers real-time data and personalized feedback to help players sharpen decision-making, technical skills, and game intelligence. It’s a modern, tech-forward approach to soccer development designed for athletes today.

Sweet Thang Brunch at Neighborhood Café is offered on the first Sunday of each month, beginning April 5. Brunch meets live music at Neighborhood Café during Sweet Thang Brunch, a lively weekend event featuring soulful performances alongside a comfort-food brunch menu. Select dates throughout the year; reservations recommended.

Viking Event Market, April 24 and every third Friday of the month: Shop local at Oppegaard Meadery’s Viking Evening Market in Des Moines, Washington, where artisans, food vendors, and live entertainment come together for an evening celebration of community and creativity. Select evenings throughout the season.

Watershed Dynamics, April 8: Learn how local watersheds shape the Puget Sound ecosystem during Watershed Dynamics, an educational program exploring how water moves through landscapes and communities. The event highlights regional conservation efforts and the importance of protecting local waterways.

Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest – May 2–3, 2026: Held at the Tukwila Community Center, this two-day festival brings together vintage computing enthusiasts, collectors, and curious visitors for a hands-on look at the evolution of technology. Guests can explore 25+ interactive exhibits featuring retro computers, attend expert-led talks on computing history, and connect with a passionate community preserving digital heritage. Presented in partnership with the Interim Computer Museum, the event runs 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily; a suggested $10 donation supports programming.

NW Astrology Conference, May 21: Astrology enthusiasts gather for the Northwest Astrology Conference, featuring lectures, workshops, and expert discussions on astrology, celestial cycles, and personal chart interpretation. The conference brings together astrologers and learners from across the region.

Free Fishing Weekend at Saltwater State Park, June 6: Enjoy outdoor recreation without a Discover Pass during this statewide free day at Saltwater State Park. Coinciding with Washington’s Free Fishing Weekend, visitors can fish without a license and explore the park’s beaches, trails, and tidepools.

Men in Black Birthday Bash – June 13–22: Celebrate the anniversary of the iconic sci-fi film Men in Black with a themed birthday bash featuring special screenings, trivia, and extraterrestrial fun inspired by the movie’s famous UFO-themed storyline.

Held each year in Des Moines, Washington, MIBBB Fest commemorates history’s first encounter with Men in Black, the infamous 1947 Maury Island Incident, and the top-secret government intervention that followed. This local festival was founded in 2022 by Des Moines residents who are passionate about sharing the fascinating stories of their hometown’s history.