Exploring Tidepools and Marine Life

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You'll find diverse marine habitats on the Southern Oregon Coast. This is because Oregon's Adventure Coast includes rocky and sandy shores, bays and estuaries, isolated coves, sea caves, extensive sand dunes and the open Pacific. And what makes Land's End here even more awe-inspiring is that the entire ecosystem is framed by picturesque coniferous forest.

Children and adults reaching into a touch tank to explore sea stars and other tidepool creatures at the Charleston Marine Life Center.

Child watching a red octopus resting on gravel inside an aquarium tank at the Charleston Marine Life Center.

Charleston Marine Life Center

Located on the edge of the harbor in Charleston, OR, the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology's Charleston Marine Life Center is an exciting place for discovery. Aquaria highlighting different coastal ecosystems, a tidepool touch tank, whale and sea lion skeletons, underwater video from deep reefs and undersea volcanoes, and a variety of specimens reveal the hidden and remarkable diversity of life off Oregon, from the coast to the deep sea. And that's all indoors.

Charleston Marine Life Center (opens in new tab)

63466 Boat Basin Road, Charleston, OR 97420
(541) 346-7280

Come explore hands-on marine science the whole family will love — touch tanks, whale skeletons, and up-close views of Oregon's coastal creatures. Visit the Charleston Marine Life Center website.

Sunflower sea star and a red octopus camouflaged among rocks and dark seaweed on the ocean floor.

Two women crouched on rocks examining a small find together beside a clear tidepool, with a rugged coastline and ocean in the background.

Close-up of a red fish-eating anemone with long tapered red tentacles spread open under water.

Orange ochre sea star clinging to rocks amid a cluster of bright green anemones and barnacle-covered rock in a tidepool.

Tidepooling in Nature

When you're ready to step outside, you couldn't be in a better spot to continue your marine life exploration.

Charleston is on some of the most spectacular coastline in Oregon. This area is famous for its rugged topography and spectacular scenery. There are daily opportunities to interact with nature in all of her splendor. Explore the varied seashore and marvel at one-of-a-kind tidepools! Learn about what it is like to live where the waves crash and plants and animals are sometimes left in pools just waiting for the next tide.

Observe and study sea stars, limpets, sea slugs, snails, chitons, mussels, barnacles, crabs, worms, fish and octopods. Explore the different adaptations these animals have for holding on, moving and eating in the busy world at the edge of the sea.

Icon of two cupped hands holding a water droplet inside a circle, symbolizing care for the marine environment.

Respect the Tidepools (opens in new tab)

These are living plants and animals in their natural environment — please tread carefully and leave what you find. Visit Oregon Tidepools website for more tips on exploring responsibly.