Oregon Coast Aquarium

TreeHugger1
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews
3
Photos

The Oregon Coast Aquarium

  • June 26, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by robandlynn from dundee, Oregon
We actually went on a members-only day, which is by invitation only (the cost of the membership is worth it if you are planning to go a few times, and plus, it is tax deductible). They were opening the turtle exhibit. During this preview, they had an abundance of food. There were tables set up around the aquarium with various food. There was hummus with pita chips, teriyaki chicken, meatballs, fruits, veggies, etc. I thought the food was good, and the kids enjoyed it also. There was a limited amount of benches to sit on and a few rocks out in the courtyard. We were able to see the aquarium after eating and viewing the new exhibit. There were so many types of turtles. We saw the octopus, sea lions, seals, and birds. The kids petted some star fish and sea anemones. There were also crafts for the kids.

From journal Oregon Coast

Oregon Aquarium

  • June 23, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by robandlynn from dundee, Oregon
The aquarium is a great place for adults and kids. It was a little expensive, but well worth it. They have a AAA discount and I heard (call to confirm) that you can get in free for your birthday. We purchased a membership. It is good for a year and is tax deductable. The cost for a family is $70, so if you plan on going at least twice, it is worth the money.

My kids loved the aquarium! There were tanks of various fish, birds, sea lions.

From journal Weekend at Oregon Coast

Editor Pick

Oregon Coast Aquarium

  • November 5, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Migin from Salem
Oregon Coast Aquarium

Keiko, the killer whale, placed the Oregon Coast Aquarium on the map coming here to live, in a purpose-built tank, as part of the plan to rehabilitate and return him to the wild. Since Keiko died (December 12, 2003 in Taknes Bay, Norway) there will be no definitive answers as to the success of the program. But he’s still one of two topics of conversation people working at the aquarium encounter on a regular basis. Response to the second common topic is "No, there aren’t any great white sharks here." The sea life, fish, mammal, or avian, found here is representative, for the most part, of what is found along Oregon’s coast.

The Aquarium is actually a series of linked buildings and exhibit areas set in a nicely landscaped area. With viewing overlooks of Newport Bay local nature is also incorporated, in a less predictable way -- what might be in the bay is changeable on any given day. On site facilities include a cafe and gift shop.

--EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS--
--"Passages of the Deep." The "passages," suspended mid-way into the depths, provide a 360-degree view with windows in the floor. The Species Guide lists everything swimming in this tank, each entry linked to more information. Oregon waters contain only about 15 of the world’s 450 shark species and only about a third are represented in the exhibit which you can preview and explore with this online Clickable Exhibit and the Shark Cams. The exhibit works it way from near shore out, progressing to the ocean deeps.

This exhibit can be unnerving for some people, but is housed separately so you can skip it. I’ll admit to being spooked by leaning backwards to watch one swim over me only to notice a dark eye gliding by with only mere inches of glass between it and my face.

If you’re brave enough (with proper certification) volunteer to do interpretive dives (or clean the tanks!) with the sharks.

--"At the Jetty." Features coho salmon and white sturgeon in a 35,000-gallon habitat re-creation.

--"Enchanted Seas." Awww, seahorse babies are so cute -- and tiny. Last time I was here there were dozens of them and births are common. This area’s exhibits focus on some of the more unusual and threatened sea creatures and features a number of Seahorse varieties. Potbelly seahorses really do have a little potbelly, and leafy dragons look like they have leafed branches sprouting from their bodies.

Outside Exhibit Areas:
--A walk-through outdoor seabird aviary. Most notable: tufted puffins.
--Harbor seals and sea lions
--Sea otters, which haven’t been extant in Oregon waters since the early 1900s.
(All sea mammals are rescued animals deemed not releasable.)

Map of Newport with the Aquarium shown as #19.
Open: 9am-6pm, summer; 10am-5pm, winter, closed Christmas.
Contact: 541-867-FISH (recording), (fax) 541-867-6846

From journal In and Around Newport, on the Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast Aquarium

  • May 17, 2003
  • Rated 3 of 5 by lpgriz from Arlington, Virginia
This used to be the home of Keiko the Whale, so a lot of interest has been aimed at the aquarium.

They feature three exhibits at a time and new ones are being added. There's an underwater passage with sharks and all kinds of undersea creatures to look at. The inside exhibits are great too, with hundreds of types of fish, octopus, crabs and jelly fish. The penguins, otters, and tropical birds are a sight to see as well. There's a small gift shop and they do group tours to accommodate everyone.

From journal Oregon's Best

Oregon Coast Aquarium

  • April 4, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by TreeHugger1 from Woodway, Washington
The Newport aquarium has been noted as one of the top aquariums in the U.S. and I would probably agree, even though the only other aquarium I have been to is the Seattle aquarium. Oregon Coast Aquarium makes Seattle Aquarium look like a small, sad jail for sea animals - actually it looked that way before I visited OCA, too.

I am glad that I have had the opportunity to see a great place dedicated to educate humans on sea animals and it also looks like a decent place for the animals to live.

From journal Ocean Front

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