Oregon Undersea Gardens

Oregon Undersea Gardens was an underwater facility in Newport featuring large viewing windows that allowed visitors to observe Pacific Ocean marine life in their natural habitat. The structure extended into the water and provided a unique vantage point for watching sea creatures up close.

The facility opened in 1966 and operated a submerged observation station until closing in 2019. It was one of the early establishments on the US West Coast to offer underwater visitor experiences.

The facility educated generations of visitors about ocean conservation through programs focusing on Pacific Northwest marine ecosystems.

The location sat along Newport's historic waterfront, making it easy to reach from downtown. Visitors should know that the facility was weather-protected and accessed by descending stairs into the water.

The structure extended roughly 20 feet below the water surface, allowing visitors to watch marine creatures at close range behaving naturally. This concept of a partially submerged observation station was an unusual approach to ocean exploration at the time it opened.

Address: 250 SW Bay Blvd., Newport, OR 97365, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00-16:00

Phone: +15412658195

Website: https://ripleys.com/newport

GPS coordinates: 44.63031,-124.05192

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:07