Welcome to the Hatfield Visitor Center!

We are operating on our regular season schedule and are open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. -  4 p.m. Tickets ($5 for ages five and up) are available online and at the door.

 Buy a Ticket

Information for Visiting Groups

  • Pre K-12 and University Precollege Student Groups
    • Visitor Center Only - Cost is $5 per person, please pre-register your group here.  
    • Visitor Center + Lab and Field Experience - All K-12 and Precollege student groups that add a marine education lab and field experience to their visit receive complimentary time in the visitor center. 
  • University and Community Groups (i.e. Road Scholars, Scout Groups, family groups) please buy a ticket here.
    • If any group is interested in adding a class to their visit, please visit our Marine Education Program's lab and field experiences page to view the current class offerings. All registrations for lab and field classes AND visitor center exploration can be submitted together through their online registration system listed on their page.

Snap Shots from the VISITOR CENTER

Shout Out to Our Amazing Volunteers!

We are blessed to have such an amazing group of volunteers at Hatfield. Watch this video and learn what inspires them to join our volunteer crew and share their time and talents with the community. You can hear from more Hatfield volunteers at this YouTube playlist. Interested in joining them? Learn how here.

OCTOPUS UPDATE

We are excited to announce that a new 19.5 lb. male giant Pacific octopus is now in the Octopus Lair!

Right now the tank is mostly curtained off to help him slowly adjust to the surrounding lights and noise from visitors. The aquarists are closely monitoring his behavior for any signs of stress. We will slowly remove curtain sections and continue to assess his behavior before all the curtains eventually come down. You can get a peak behind the curtain by watching one of the two octocams set up in the tank. Special thanks to the F/V Timmy Boy and crew, including Bob Eder, Rick Price, Jason Jones, Kyle Edwards and Colby Robeson, who donated the octopus to the Hatfield Visitor Center.


Regional Class Research Vessel

This interactive simulator let's you experience what it feels like to be at the helm of a large research vessel and steer it through Yaquina Bay. 


Oregon Coast Crustaceans

This exhibit showcases crustaceans found along the Oregon coast. By displaying these animals in smaller interconnected tanks, it is possible to keep more than one species in harmony.

 

More Exhibits


Tide Pool Touch Tank

Gently pet fish, abalone and sea stars. Discover what happens when you stroke the sticky tentacles of a sea anemone. Friendly volunteers are on hand to answer questions and help visitors of all ages. Feeding time in the tidepool tanks - Fridays, at 11 a.m.


How many pipefish can you find?

Look closely as the camera pans through the eelgrass and see how many pipefish you can find. The video pans through the eelgrass a second time and shows you where these fish are hiding out.

Pipefish can be found around wharves, floating freely in tide lines, or camouflaging themselves in eelgrass beds and patches of seaweed in bays and estuaries. Fun fact: The female pipefish transfers eggs to the male's brood pouch, where he cares for developing young. Pipefish and seahorses belong to the same family, which is why their little faces are so similar.

Hours

Regular Season Hours (beginning Labor Day): Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. -  4 p.m.
Buy a ticket online before you visit.

Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Location

Hatfield Marine Science Center Visitor Center
2030 SE Marine Science Drive
Newport, OR  97365-5229

Phone: 541-867-0100; Option 2
Email

Map and Driving Directions

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