Starfish in New Hampshire: identification guide and where to start looking

What starfish species are found in New Hampshire?

The most common starfish in New Hampshire is the Northern Sea Star (Asterias rubens), a predatory echinoderm with five arms and a rough, bumpy texture across the upper surface. Adults typically range from 2 to 4 inches in diameter but can reach up to 6 inches. Other species like the Forbes' Sea Star (Asterias forbesi) occasionally appear in deeper waters offshore but are rare in shallow tide pools. The Smooth Sun Star (Solaster endeca) has been recorded in New Hampshire's Gulf of Maine but requires deeper diving to observe. The Northern Sea Star's reddish-brown or orange coloring distinguishes it from other echinoderms in tide pools.

In New Hampshire, starfish sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Where in New Hampshire can you find starfish?

Your best odds are along the Seacoast, especially in tide pools at Rye Harbor State Park, Odiorne Point State Park, and Hampton Beach State Park. Start by looking under rocks and in crevices during low tide. Rocky shorelines with heavy mussel beds are prime habitat. The rocky outcrops near Portsmouth Harbor also host populations, particularly on the New Castle side where wave action is more moderate. Lesser-known spots include Little Harbor, Wallis Sands, and the rocky areas near Kittery Point, Maine's border. Visit ourNew Hampshire wildlife pagefor more coastal spots and current tide information. Look for areas with dark rocks and pools that maintain saltwater year-round.

When is the best season to see starfish in New Hampshire?

Summer months from June to September offer the lowest tides and warmest water, making it easiest to search tide pools comfortably and safely. Spring tides (extra-low lows) occur around full and new moons, creating the widest viewing windows and exposing pools that remain submerged during neap tides. Fall can also be productive if you check tide charts before heading out. Winter storms sometimes wash up specimens, but conditions are harsh and dangerous near the rocks with high winds and cold water. See ouridentification page for starfish in New Hampshirefor detailed timing and moon phase calendars.

How do you identify a Northern Sea Star?

The Northern Sea Star has five tapering arms, a reddish-brown, orange, or purple color, and a rough spiny upper surface covered in bumps and small spines. Its underside (oral surface) has rows of tube feet that the starfish uses to grip rocks and move. Distinguish it from the occasional Forbes' Sea Star by its smaller central disc and more consistent arm thickness. The rough texture is your fastest field mark, unlike smooth sea stars, the Northern Sea Star's spiky appearance is unmistakable even from a distance. The central mouth area is slightly raised and often a lighter shade. Visit ourstarfish overviewfor more detailed field marks.

See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

What are common lookalikes for starfish in New Hampshire?

Brittle stars and sand dollars are often mistaken for starfish. Brittle stars have long thin arms and move quickly with a jerky motion, and they are not true starfish, they lack the thick arm structure and tube feet of true starfish. Sand dollars are flat and round with a fuzzy appearance from their fine spines, nothing like a starfish's bumpy surface. Sea urchins have spines all over and roll rather than move with arms. Sea cucumbers are soft and worm-like. The Northern Sea Star has a clear star shape with five distinct arms and moves slowly using tube feet.

Are starfish safe to touch?

Handling starfish is generally safe but can stress them. Avoid pulling them off rocks, as this damages their tube feet and exposes them to predators. Look with your eyes first, and limit any contact to careful observation. Touching them briefly with wet hands is acceptable if absolutely necessary for positive identification, but keep handling to under one minute. Check local regulations, some New Hampshire coastal areas have restrictions on collecting or disturbing starfish. For responsible wildlife viewing, consider using ourwildlife tote bagsto carry a field guide and keep your hands free for balancing on wet rocks.

What gear can make your starfish searching easier?

While you don't need much for tide pooling, a few items help. Wear waterproof boots or shoes with grip, rocky tide pools are slippery. Bring a tote bag to carry your field guide safely. Ourwildlife tote bagsare perfect for this purpose. A magnifying glass helps you spot tube feet and other small details. A waterproof phone case or camera allows you to photograph starfish for future reference. For starfish fans, these products will show your interest:

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Plan your starfish search trip

Use this tool to find the best tide pools and accommodations in New Hampshire. Check NOAA tide tables for Portsmouth, NH, which covers the entire Seacoast region. Plan your visit for a low tide that falls in daylight hours and avoid days with onshore storms. Bring water, snacks, and tell someone where you're going.

What time of day should you search for starfish in tide pools?

Low tide is the only time to search tide pools effectively. Starfish are exposed and visible during low tides, usually for a 2 to 3 hour window around the tide's lowest point. Check tide charts for your specific beach before heading out, Portsmouth Harbor and Hampton Beach have different tide times by up to 45 minutes. Morning low tides are often easier to time around weather and fewer crowds, and morning light provides better visibility underwater. Afternoon low tides can also work if they fall at a reasonable hour and don't conflict with weather forecasts. Avoid searching during rising tide as pools fill and currents become stronger.

How do starfish hunt and feed in New Hampshire waters?

Northern Sea Stars are predators that feed primarily on mussels, clams, and other mollusks. They use their tube feet to pry open shells by applying steady pressure over minutes or hours. Once a shell opens slightly, the starfish extends its stomach out through its mouth and digests the prey externally, sometimes taking many hours to complete a meal. This feeding behavior shapes where they live, rocky shorelines with dense mussel beds are ideal habitat. They also scavenge dead animals and algae when live prey is scarce. Understanding their diet helps you locate them, as they concentrate in areas with abundant food sources. During winter, they feed less frequently and move into deeper water.

What are the tube feet and how do they work?

Tube feet are small cylindrical extensions on the starfish's underside that work like tiny suction cups. Northern Sea Stars use them to grip rocks, pull open shells, and move along the seafloor. Each tube foot connects to an internal water vascular system that can extend and retract them hydraulically. This allows precise control and surprising strength, starfish can apply force consistently for hours when prying open a mollusk shell. Looking at tube feet is one way to confirm you've found a true starfish, as brittlestars and other echinoderms have different appendage structures.

Frequently asked questions about identifying starfish in New Hampshire

**Can you find starfish all year round in New Hampshire?** They are present year-round in deeper waters but easiest to see in summer low tides when tide pools are fully exposed and water is warmer. **Are starfish endangered in New Hampshire?** Northern Sea Stars are common and not threatened, but local populations can fluctuate with water temperature and disease. Check local regulations before collecting or disturbing specimens. **What is the best way to photograph a starfish?** Use a macro lens or phone with a waterproof case if you have one. Kneel slowly to avoid startling it and creating ripples that distort the view. The best shots come when the starfish is calm and the sun is behind you to avoid glare. For more tips, see ourstarfish identification page. **Can you identify arm count to tell starfish species apart?** Most Northern Sea Stars have five arms, but occasionally one has lost an arm to predation and regrown a shorter one. The texture and color are more reliable ID features than arm count alone. Regeneration takes months.