About the Center

Mission

Oregon's OSU Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center creates a unique, dynamic environment for lifelong exploration and discovery. The Visitor Center encourages adults and children to enjoy marine science.

Our exhibits and programs explain how scientific research enhances our ability to interpret the natural patterns that shape our world and enables us to better appreciate, manage, and sustain coastal and marine resources.

The Visitor Center also provides opportunities for conducting research on devices, methods, and concepts for informal science education that will advance the art of public education.

History

The Visitor Center has acquainted visitors with marine species, marine research, and the coastal environment since June of 1965. Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and NASA provided funds to remodel the Visitor Center in 1997. Oregon Sea Grant manages this unique facility, which continues to provide a valuable link between the public and the exciting world of marine research.

The Visitor Center is proud to be a Coastal Ecosystem Learning center, one of a handful of centers nationwide that teach, share research, and inform the public about our coastal and marine habitats.

Hours

Summer: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day

Winter: Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., (except New Year's Day) during the annual Whale Watch Weeks, which usually coincide with the Spring and Winter breaks for Oregon public schools.

Admission

How to get here

The Visitor Center is located on Yaquina Bay in the South Beach section of Newport, on the Central Oregon coast. Air travelers usually fly into Portland or Eugene; there is also a small commercial airport on the coast, in Coos Bay/North Bend.

Map

By car from Interstate 5: Take the Highway 34/Corvallis/Lebanon exit and turn west to Corvallis. Follow the Ocean Beaches signs through Philomath. On the west edge of Philomath, take U.S. Highway 20 and follow the signs to Newport. In Newport, turn south on U.S. 101. Take the first exit after crossing the Yaquina Bay Bridge and follow the signs to the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center parking lot.

U.S. Highway 20 is the more direct route from Philomath, but you may wish to take scenic Highway 34 from Philomath to Waldport and then turn north on Highway 101 to Newport. You'll see the signs for your exit to the Visitor Center before crossing Yaquina Bay; follow the signs to our parking lot.

Additional visitor information - maps, tides, weather, lodging and regional attractions

Take us home with you

Learning opportunities

We offer tours, classes, speakers and many other opportunities for formal and informal learning about the ocean and coast. Visit our learning page for details.

Want to help out?

Learn about our volunteer docent program.

For more information

Visitor Center Staff Directory
Comments and questions

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