Seaside Aquarium - Seaside, Oregon - Beach, Seals, Aquarium

Seaside Aquarium is privately owned and one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast. Established in 1937, some of the founders' decedents remain active with the aquarium today. The aquarium can boast having one of the best captive breeding records for Harbor Seals in the world, many of their seals are third or fourth generation. While there is more to see and enjoy than just seals at Seaside, they are the main attraction.

The online reviews all say some version of, "It was worth a visit just to feed the seals,'' or that "Feeding the seals was the highlight for a two and a half year old.''

Another online reviewer said, "The first thing you see upon entering is the seal area ... maybe ten feet by twenty-five feet, with a few smooth rocks. More than a dozen seals are clamoring for your attention and slapping their sides, begging for the little pieces of fish you can throw at them.'' Visitors to the aquarium can purchase fish to feed the seals. The seals eat 19,000 pounds of capelin and 19,000 pounds of herring in a year.

Most of the seals were born at the Seaside Aquarium. The National Marine Fisheries Service rescued the only one not born at the aquarium in 1978. The aquarium hasn't taken in any wild seals since then.

From the north or south, Seaside Aquarium is easy to get to by taking U.S. highway 101 to Seaside, Oregon. The physical address is 200 North Promenade. The aquarium is right on the beach at the end of Second Avenue and North Promenade just two blocks north of the Seaside Turnaround. The aquarium opens daily at 9:00am. Winter and summer closing hours vary.

There is an admission fee, with separate pricing for adults, children from six to thirteen, and sixty-four and older seniors. Children five and under are free with paid admission. There is a family fee, which includes six paid admissions and special group rates for schools, clubs and other organizations.

Seals aren't the only things you'll see at the aquarium. There's a variety of fish and ocean crustaceans that make their home in the Pacific Ocean. The displays change with the seasons and some allow you to interact with them. There are microscopes to view the tiniest creatures, and staff members are available to answer questions. The aquarium has a Touch Tank where you can touch starfish, sea urchins and other sea life.

A reviewer said, "The tiny, dark Seaside Aquarium has its charms, partly for its old-fashioned, mom-and-pop tourist-trap vibe, and partly for some interesting fish and enthusiastic seals.''

Decorating it in this fashion was done on purpose. When it opened in 1937, the intent was to entertain the masses and the dark interior was supposed to make visitors feel as if they were swimming through an ocean cave. Today the intent is to educate and get the community involved with the aquarium and the ocean beyond. Seaside is a leader in the regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network. They've added an Interpretive Center and helped start a Watershed Estuary Beach Discovery Program. The aquarium is modernizing and expanding their focus.