Aquariums

Puget Sound Estuarium

Name: Puget Sound Estuarium
Address: 309 State Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98501, Olympia, WA, US
Telephone: (360) 918-8412
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (91 reviews)

📍 309 State Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98501

📞 (360) 918-8412

🌐 www.pugetsoundestuarium.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	11 AM–4 PM
Sunday	11 AM–4 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Puget Sound Estuarium

Hands-on discovery center with aquariums. Educational marine life center with saltwater aquariums & interactive learning exhibits. Features an interactive Pier Peer exhibit with underwater floodlights and remote-operated vehicle (ROV) screen access, allowing visitors to view marine life in the Puget Sound estuary from an illuminated dock. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 91 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Nature Center
Best For: All ages, K-12 students
Highlights: Pier Peer underwater viewing with ROV, Meet the Beach tide pool exploration, Urban Birding tours
Location: 309 State Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98501
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Features an interactive Pier Peer exhibit with underwater floodlights and remote-operated vehicle (ROV) screen access, allowing visitors to view marine life in the Puget Sound estuary from an illuminated dock
⭐Offers free admission days and accepts EBT cards for free access, making it an accessible educational resource for low-income families in the Olympia area
⭐Provides age-specific summer camps including Seastar Summer Camp for 2nd-3rd graders, demonstrating a structured K-12 educational programming focus
⭐Operates the 'Meet the Beach' wading program at multiple locations, allowing hands-on observation of crabs, worms, sea stars, and clams in their natural habitat

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Visit on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) between 11am-4pm for the best experience, and check ahead for free admission days which the venue offers regularly
💡Make sure to engage with the knowledgeable volunteer staff—they're highly passionate about the marine life and can share fascinating facts about creatures you might otherwise miss. Ask them questions about specific animals like starfish, shrimp, and other Puget Sound residents
💡The venue is small but packed with exhibits; don't miss the interactive 'Pier Peer' underwater viewing station with ROV access and floodlights under the dock for optimal marine life visibility, plus the 'Meet the Beach' wading program
💬Bring your EBT card for free admission, or check the donation jar policy on free days—the estuarium is designed to be accessible and welcoming to families of all income levels
💡Plan 1-2 hours for your visit given the small but information-rich space, and families with infants and young children will find it manageable and engaging—the variety of interactive displays including hand-on games and art/STEM activities works well for all ages