Activities for Kids

Explore 7 Marine Gardens on the Oregon Coast

Kids can explore sea creatures up close with protected intertidal ecosystems, known as marine gardens, dotting the Oregon coastline.

By Suzie Ridgway August 20, 2014

Richard Masoner via Flickr Creative Commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/

Prepare to be amazed by all of the purple sea urchins, red sea cucumbers, giant green sea anemones, colorful sea stars, hermit crabs, harbor seals and sea birds your family can handle at these seven protected intertidal ecosystems, known as marine gardens, along the Oregon coast. All of the gardens are hands-on sites that enable your little scientists to carefully touch the starfish or pick up hermit crabs. Click through our album for the splash-tastic scoop on where to find them.

For Birds and Whales: Yaquina Head Natural Outstanding Area

Watch for peregrine falcons, bald eagles, seabirds of all stripes year round, as well as whales migrating to and from Mexico on this 1.8 mile coastal marine garden that's about five miles north of Newport. Follow the trail closest to the lighthouse down to the tide pools to see and touch orange sea stars, purple sea urchins and green anemones. The area is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management and, for most of the year, their staff is on hand at low tide to help point out and identify sea creatures.

Hwy. 101 and Lighthouse Dr.
Newport, Or
541-574-3100
Online: blm.gov

Photo: Yaquina Head, credit Pacific Crest Stock via Creative Commons

Where is your favorite tide pool to explore? Let us know in the Comments below!

–Suzie Ridgway