Tour the Visitor Center
Extend your time at the Visitor Center with an interpretive guided tour. Tours are a great way to put what you see into context, and to get answers to your questions.
For more information or to register for a tour, contact Kathryn Hawes. Her contact information is at the bottom of this page.
GROUP TOURS
Plan ahead and schedule a private tour for your organized youth or community group during our regular Visitor Center hours. Each 1-hour tour is offered for a fee of $60 and pre-registration is required. There are two tours from which to choose:
BEHIND THE SCENES
Learn what goes on behind the scenes at this world-class marine research facility, and how we care for the animals displayed here. Tours include a 10-minute video introduction, a brief history of the HMSC research campus, and information about the themes, concepts and research represented in the exhibits the public gets to see. You'll also get a look at our animal husbandry area, where trained aquarists and aquarium science students care for the hundreds of fish and other animals that call the Visitor Center home. (Max. 20 participants)
YAQUINA ESTUARY
The beautiful Yaquina Estuary Nature Trail on the HMSC grounds is a ½ mile walk following a paved, wheelchair-accessible path. Learn about the plants, animals and natural forces that make estuaries among the most productive habitats on the planet. You may observe fishing or research activity on your walk. Note: Dogs are not allowed on the nature trail at any time. (Max. 30 participants)
GUIDED VISITOR CENTER TOURS
During days and times when the center is closed to the public, you can arrange in advance for a private group tour of our exhibit are with a staff educator on hand to answer your questions. The fee is $1/person/hour, with a minimum fee of $25. Please register at least seven days in advance.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
- Of course, your group is welcome to visit the HMSC Visitor Center during its normal operating hours. The suggested donation is $5/person, $20/family, or $1/student. If you have a large group and know when you will be coming, please notify us in advance so we can staff the Visitor Center appropriately for your visit.
- The outdoor Yaquina Estuary Nature Trail is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Travel along this ½ mile paved, wheelchair-accessible path at your own pace. Interpretive signage will help direct your attention to some of the unique characteristics of the estuarine habitat. Dogs are not allowed on the nature trail at any time. NOTE: The north portion of the Estuary Nature Trail is currently closed due to erosion. The closure is meant to be temporary, pending bank stabilization and trail repair. The trail is be closed from the spot where the pavement currently ends near the north trailhead (at the main HMSC Parking lot), almost to the shelter. To avoid trampling what's left of the vegetation, access to the tide flats will be at two points only: 1) At the point of trail closure on the north side, and 2) Via the trail at the shelter on the south side. Click here for a map
- Challenge yourself with a self-guided Quest hunt, available in both indoor and outdoor locations at HMSC. Learn about the patterns of science in the Visitor Center or how HMSC is embracing concepts of sustainability. Download and print out the directions, search for the clues and locate the hidden Quest boxes.
SUMMER TOURS
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, we offer a variety of free guided tours. Check our current events page to see when and where these tours meet. There may be space limitations on these first-come, first-served programs.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Contact
Kathryn Hawes
Hatfield Marine Science Center
2030 SE Marine Science Drive
Newport, OR 97365
541-867-0233
SeaGrantMarineEd@oregonstate.edu
