Located on the edge of the harbor in Charleston, OR, the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology’s Charleston Marine Life Center (CMLC) is an exciting place for discovery. All ages can explore the remarkable diversity of marine life of Oregon — from the coast to the deep sea. Walk in under real gray and killer whale skeletons, and find yourself surrounded by aquaria. Watch chitons and sand dollars move along, search for nudibranchs (shell-less snails) among sponges, and find different rockfish in the kelp tank. Roll up your sleeves to carefully explore the tidepool touch tank, and watch baby salmon in a giant 1200-gallon tank. In the off-shore gallery, get face-to-face with strange looking specimens from the deep sea and watch underwater video of deep reefs and undersea vents and volcanoes. From the CMLC’s windows and open-air fisheries exhibit, take in the stunning view and look out over the harbor as fishing boats unload their catch. Learn about ongoing marine science research, check out a working ROV (remotely operated vehicle), and challenge your family and friends at the marine mammal sound station. For more information on hours and programs, call (541) 888-2581. cmlc.uoregon.edu
