Charleston Marine Life Center — Attraction in Oregon

A hidden gem in Coos Bay! We actually happened to see it on the map after our hike to the Coos Head railroad tunnel. Excellent staff who took the time to answer questions - they take pride in their work. The facility while small in comparison to Monterey Bay Aquarium, is actually a whole lot better IMO. They have tide pool exhibits where you can touch sea life and I actually was able to feed sea urchins. The shell exhibit upstairs was awesome. You can pull out the drawers and see tons of shells from all over the world, they have skeletons of sea mammals, and you can watch whales and seals from afar along the shoreline. Nicely done. Very fun and inexpensive activity for the whole...

The Charleston Marine Life Center is a fantastic destination for anyone interested in learning about the incredible diversity of marine life found along the Oregon coast. The center boasts a variety of exhibits, including interactive displays, touch tanks, and live animal habitats that showcase the beauty and importance of the ocean ecosystem. The knowledgeable staff are passionate about marine conservation and are always eager to share their expertise with visitors. The center is clean, well-organized, and accessible to all ages and abilities. Overall, the Charleston Marine Life Center is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the...

A very well done marine science center. From the gigantic skull of a grey whale oitside the entrance to tiny (US quarter-sized) live jellyfish, there is much to see and do here. You can touch a sea cucumber or a sea star, look at shark's teeth or sand dollars under a microscope or feel a aea otter's fur. A tip: look for drawers (like under the seashells) and pull them out. You'll find more items like the ones above. My favorite was the colossal squid that was longer than little old 6-foot me. Another tip: if you ask the front desk staff nicely, they might let you help...