The Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) has begun major renovations to its indoor galleries, paving the way for improvements and new additions. Beginning Sept. 5, OCAq’s Sandy Shores and Rocky Shores galleries will close to the public in preparation for the remodel. Coastal Waters will remain open until a later date. Construction is expected to conclude by summer 2024. Visitors can look forward to new exhibits, improved traffic flow, and updated interpretive signage in both English and Spanish. Alongside the existing galleries, OCAq will also construct a new space dedicated entirely to sea jellies, housing Oregon-native moon jellies, Indo-Pacific blue blubber jellies, and more of the otherworldly invertebrates.
During the galleries’ temporary closure, visitors will continue to have access to the rest of OCAq’s exhibits and features, including its Nature Play Area, education-focused Discovery Zone, and freshly remodeled Moon Jelly Café. Many of the gallery animals will be relocated to OCAq’s Passages of the Deep, an underwater tunnel that snakes through three ocean habitats, allowing returning guests to remain familiar with some of their favorite species.
Completion of these projects is thanks to contributions from major donors, including the State of Oregon, Al Gleason, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, John & Nancy Dennis Family, Jim Pattison/Roth's Fresh Markets, Marta & Ken Thrasher, Christine & David Vernier, Miller Family Holdings and Aquarium Volunteers.
