Hatfield Visitor Center

Welcome to Hatfield Visitor Center

Thursday-Monday | 10am-4pm

Hours and Location
Plan Your Visit
Exhibits
Field Trips

Tickets

 Admission is $5 per person aged 5+. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Buy a ticket Group Visits Gift Certificates

Public Programs and Events

A giant pacific octopus stretches its body at the Hatfield Visitor Center in Newport

Octopus Feeding

Mon | Thur | Sat  1pm

Join the octopus for lunch as we learn about the many adaptations of these amazing creatures.

Little girl reaches into the touch pool and touches a green anemone.

Tidepool Feeding

Fri 11am

What do anemones, urchins, and sea stars eat? Join our aquarists at feeding time to find out!

A whale breaching.

Whale Watch Week

December 26-31 | 10am-4pm

It is migration time for gray whales and we will celebrate all week with crafts, films, lectures, games, and more!

Parents hold their child as he digs through a tray of sand with a paint brush.

Fossil Fest

February 8 | 10am-4pm

Join us for hands-on activities, hot tips on where to look for fossils, and more. Bring your own specimens in for help identifying them.


New Octopus Comes to the VC

We are excited to welcome a new female giant Pacific octopus to the Hatfield Visitor Center. Currently, she weighs just three pounds. She was donated by Perry Bordeaux, captain of the fishing vessel Das Bug.

We are often asked how long an octopus stays with us. According to Visitor Center aquarist Jaimie Hart, an octopus will stay at the VC between 6-12 months. “We document and matrix all behaviors, feeds, interactions, and body changes for any signs that they are ready to reproduce. Our goal is to always get the octopus back out into the ocean at the first sign of reproduction age so they can have a chance at reproducing and creating offspring,” said Hart.

If you are unable to meet her in person, you can visit the octocams. 


Meet Our Volunteers!

We are fortunate 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. Interested in joining them? Learn how.

Using a simulator, a child steers a research ship through Yaquina Bay. His father stands near him and points to the screen.


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. 

A close up view of a crab. Its eye stalks peer straight ahead. Also, its massive front claws are in view.


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.

Sea Urchins and anemones in a tide pool touch tank.


Tidepool 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.

 

Hours

Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Open Daily 10am - 5pm
Regular Season (Starts Labor Day)
Open Thursday - Monday, 10am - 4pm
Buy a ticket online, or get one at the door.
 
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1

Location

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

Phone: 541-867-0100; Option 2
Email

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