Planning Your Visit

 

Due to construction Highway 20 from Corvallis to Newport, most schools are experiencing 20-30 minute delays. We recommend an alternate route if possible, or please plan for the possible delay. Thank you!

Planning a Trip is Easy!

Use the information we provide on this page as your guide to making your Oregon Coast Aquarium trip a success!

Come early!

Schools that make a reservation and visit before December 31 will receive a 10% discount in addition to the discounted school rate.

How to Make a Reservation

Start by checking out our on-site learning to see which classroom or theatre program works best for your class. Then just call our group coordinator at (541) 867-3474, ext. 5301. We're ready to take your reservation by phone from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We will process reservations in the order in which they are booked and send a confirmation within two weeks.

Reservations and payment for Classroom and Theater programs must be made at least 10 days in advance of your planned school visit. Keep in mind that our programs will sometimes fill up months in advance. We only allow one program per student per day to insure that your group will have enough time to visit the Aquarium.

Start by checking out our on-site learning to see which classroom or theatre program works best for your class. Then just call our group coordinator at (541) 867-3474, ext. 5301. We're ready to take your reservation by phone from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We will process reservations in the order in which they are booked and send a confirmation within two weeks.

Reservations and payment for Classroom and Theater programs must be made in advance. Credit Cards can be used to hold a class and will not be charged until 10 days prior to the scheduled program. Keep in mind that Lab and Theater programs will fill up months in advance. We only allow one program per student per day to insure that your group will have enough time to visit the Aquarium.

Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel your scheduled program and/or visit, you will need to notify us at least 10 days ahead of your planned visit in order to receive a full refund on your Program fee. The Aquarium will retain all Program fees if a cancellation is made within less than 10 days of your visit. Understand the Aquarium does reserve the right to cancel a program without notice in the case of an emergency or due to your schools late arrival.

Payment for Admission to the Aquarium is made on the day of your visit and will be accepted by cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, or by Purchase Order issued from your school. If payment is made with cash, please use large bills.

Important planning note!

If scheduled for a Classroom or Theater program, you must arrive at least 15 minutes before your program is scheduled in order to complete the entry process and begin your program on time. The Aquarium understands that traveling with children can sometimes be difficult and unpredictable. I you are running late contact us at (541) 867-3474 ext 5301. Our Education staff will do their best to accommodate you, however, due to space and schedule constraints, your program may be cancelled if your group arrives later than five minutes after your scheduled program time and you will not receive a refund.

 

Teacher planning visits

When making your reservation, you may request a free Teacher Planning Visit. If you do so, we will place your name on a list so that when you arrive, you only need to show a picture ID, such as your driver's license, to enter.

Pre- and post-visit materials

Once your visit has been scheduled, you will receive a packet containing your confirmation and a teacher and student contract. Our behavior contracts outline expected conduct for school groups. To view a copy of our teacher and students contracts online, click here.

Our self-guided visit materials help classes make the most of touring the Aquarium on their own. Our suggestions for activities before, during and after your visit will help you create a structured, focused experience for your class. Materials are tailored to three levels: PreK–1, 2–5 and 6–12 Student and Chaperone Guidebooks. Click on the resources and curriculum link below to download pre/post visit materials, self-guided booklets, and (coming soon) lab and theatre pre/post materials.

Resources and Curriculum

 

Hints for a Successful Visit!

• Make your reservation early; our calendar fills up fast. For the sake of educational quality, we only allow a certain number of students to pre-register, and we sometimes reach that maximum.
• Visit us in fall or winter. Fall weather is often beautiful, and with fewer visitors here, your group can move through the Aquarium more freely.
• Take advantage of the downloadable pre/post materials. It's full of great activities to help you make the most of your visit.
• With advance notice, programming can be adapted for students with special needs. All facilities at the Oregon Coast Aquarium are wheelchair accessible.

A Note About Chaperones

We require one chaperone for every 10 students for all self-guided visits, theater programs and high school lab programs, and one chaperone for every five students for K-8 lab programs. Chaperones will be required to read information to the students in their group during lab programs for grades K through 8.

We recommend (and admit free of charge) one chaperone for every five students for all visits.

Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age and must accompany students at all times.

One teacher for each class is admitted free and is not counted as a chaperone.

Each chaperone should receive a Chaperone Guide with ideas on how to help students get the most out of their visit, including suggested exhibit questions and their answers.

What to do About Lunches

For your convenience, the Aquarium has a picnic area near the parking lots, with accommodations for a limited number of visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our food service contractor offers an extensive menu selection in the Wolf Eel Cafe. Box lunches for groups are also available. If your students plan to purchase food from the café, please contact them ahead of time to make sure they have adequate staff to serve you. If you plan to order box lunches, please call three days in advance to place your order. The number for the cafe is 541-867-3473 ext. 5421.

We do not allow food, gum, candy or drink—including student lunches—to be brought into the Aquarium. Food purchased in the café must be eaten in designated areas.