Hatfield Marine Science Center
Hatfield Marine Science Center
4.6
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A series of informative exhibits at the Hatfield Marine Science Center gives visitors a glimpse of hot topics in contemporary marine science research.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
710 reviews
Excellent
489
Very good
179
Average
33
Poor
8
Terrible
1
P J Avery
St. Augustine, FL1,179 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Went here as a child and now came back with my own daughter. It’s way better than what I remembered. Plus the science center is doing reservations so that limits the number of people inside and makes it more enjoyable.
Such an awesome place for kids to learn about marine science. Our favorite activity was the tsunami wave simulation to see if our buildings survived (they didn’t)
Highly recommend this place for young kids and if you are looking for a hour activity on a cold rainy day at the coast.
Such an awesome place for kids to learn about marine science. Our favorite activity was the tsunami wave simulation to see if our buildings survived (they didn’t)
Highly recommend this place for young kids and if you are looking for a hour activity on a cold rainy day at the coast.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve S
Pollock Pines, CA64 contributions
Jul 2021
We try and stop by every year or so to watch their newest programs. They are the VERY best! They change the marine species in the tanks all the time as well, but their "special programs" arfe just SO thoroughly put togwether and researched. This time is was North American fossils and ngrowth through the various epochs of Earth's developmwent. The price of admission for sewniors makes this a vewry nexpewnsive way to learn a great deal, enjoy an afternoon in a world-class museum, and see so many varietal species of marine life. If you are in Newport, it's a MUST SEE!
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FamilyTravels
Idaho13 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
It cost $5/person and had many hands on ocean activities for the kids including a touch tide pool area. The volunteers were excellent at teaching new things to my kids. Our kids (age 5-12) had such a fun time learning and playing. They also had a fun gift shop that was more reasonably priced than the one at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I definitely recommend going here, especially if you have kids with you.
Written July 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skopi
Cincinnati, OH163 contributions
Mar 2022
My kids enjoyed the hands-on nature of this museum. They liked touching the sea urchins, anemones, etc. They loved building structures to be destroyed by a tsunami wave. It was a definite hit.
It didn't hurt that we went to the aquarium first and it was cold and rainy outside and this is indoors.
Make sure you sign up ahead of time. There is a tiny reservation fee. Only issue is that we had the 3-4pm time slot and they close at 4. As it is all volunteers, they started trying to stop the kids from doing things about 10 minutes early. So don't choose the last time slot of the day.
It didn't hurt that we went to the aquarium first and it was cold and rainy outside and this is indoors.
Make sure you sign up ahead of time. There is a tiny reservation fee. Only issue is that we had the 3-4pm time slot and they close at 4. As it is all volunteers, they started trying to stop the kids from doing things about 10 minutes early. So don't choose the last time slot of the day.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred S
Kent, Washington, Usa91 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We loved visiting the Hatfield Visitor Center! They have so many wonderful exhibits, for both adults and children. They have great touch pools. Octopus feedings, many hands on exhibits, again for for children and adults. We all (two adults and a 9 & 10 year old) enjoyed it a lot.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
benddragon
Selma, OR308 contributions
Jul 2022
In order to get into this place you have to use a cell phone, if you have one, to scan in some sort of QR code and then do more things on their app,,,, all the while the clerk is sitting there doing nothing but trying to explain to everyone how to work the app to get the tickets.
It would be much easier if the clerk could just sell the damn tickets. It took 6 of us almost 15 minutes to be able to get in. Only one of us could figure their system out. What do they think will happen when they have 100 people in line and it takes everyone so long to get the tickets????
It would be much easier if the clerk could just sell the damn tickets. It took 6 of us almost 15 minutes to be able to get in. Only one of us could figure their system out. What do they think will happen when they have 100 people in line and it takes everyone so long to get the tickets????
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twinedith
Yachats, OR97 contributions
Jan 2020
The museum is a great place to spend a morning, but the real treat are the outdoor opportunities. The Hatfield Science museum sits on an estuary of Yaquina Bay. There is a walking trail with good opportunities for birding, or get your feet dirty and walk out onto the estuary and look for shrimp and clams. With a shellfish permit you can "rake" for cockles (a type of clam) and take them home to steam open and eat.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann BK
209 contributions
Feb 2020
We travel to Newport a lot, but have always been there on days the Center is closed, so were really happy to visit. It's part of Oregon State University, so exhibits are particularly well curated--both viewing & interactive. Visitors will learn about fisheries, marine life, tidal action & more. Spouse & I spent about an hour & a half there until he got tired.
There's a $5 suggested donation at the door & a gift shop that we didn't visit.
It's more than appropriate for all ages & mobility levels.
There's a $5 suggested donation at the door & a gift shop that we didn't visit.
It's more than appropriate for all ages & mobility levels.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kkleinrn
Pleasant Grove, UT424 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
We were blown away by this fun aquatic visitor center! We went following a recommendation but didn’t know what to expect - the kids and adults all loved it and enjoyed the many hands on and easy to understand Sea exhibits. Reservations are currently required and ready to make online. For $3 each, best money ever spent!
Written December 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lacey
15 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My child has many delays, as well as sensory processing disorder and autism. I thought this would be a great experience allowing him to be hands on. However, it’s much different from when I went each summer as a kid. He was bored and overwhelmed within 15 minutes.
Written June 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What days and hours is it open. Last year we showed up and it was on a day it was closed. We would really like to visit this year.
Written August 28, 2017
From Memorial Day to Labor Day they are open daily. The rest of the year only Thursday through Monday.
Written August 28, 2017
Unfortunately, the octopus was not there on the day we visited.
Written July 14, 2015
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