Located on Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon Coast Aquarium was opened in 1992 and quickly became a popular Oregon coast attraction and the center of marine education in Oregon.

The aquarium is famous as the home of Keiko, the orca from the movie Free Willy, until he was released in the waters near Iceland in 1998.

The aquarium focuses on the marine and terrestrial flora and fauna of the Oregon coast. There are three permanent exhibits – Rocky Shores, Sandy Shores, and Coastal Waters – in addition to an area that hosts changing exhibits.

The first exhibit features species that live in bays such as Yaquina Bay or close to shore.

Further along, the aquarium features animals further offshore, a kelp forest, and an exhibit of jellyfish. The outdoor aquarium also has a large seabird aviary and houses marine mammals native to the Oregon Coast, such as sea otters, California sea lions, and harbor seals. A fascinating coastal cave is home to a giant Pacific octopus.

2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport, OR 97365, Map

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