Oregon Coast Aquarium

Opened 1992

City: Newport

Country: USA

State: Oregon

Species 250

The Oregon Coast Aquarium, located in Newport, is a non-profit institution occupying a 32-acre site on Yaquina Bay, adjacent to the Oregon State University Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center. Aquarium exhibits are housed in an 80,000 square-foot building and on six acres of elaborately rocked pools, caves, cliffs and bluffs. Indoor exhibits include four galleries replicating habitats found in coastal wetlands, sandy and rocky shores, and off Oregon’s coast in deeper waters. Also indoors are a demonstration lab, Whale Theater, changing exhibit area, full-service cafe and gift shop. Outdoor exhibits include sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions, wave-pummeled tide pools, a coastal cave featuring a giant Pacific octopus, the largest walk-through seabird aviary in North America, a nature trail and a children’s play area.