What a great asset to this community and fun place to visit! Was able to touch a starfish and a sea anemone, but brrrr the water was cold. Quite the variety of sea creatures in a small space and we got to see the octopus in her new habitat (she does like to hide out). read more

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One star for terrible rude volunteers. They just were concerned with the rules, repeating the rules over and over to my child, as she was trying to explore the touch tank. My daughter is a gentle sensitive soul, who is a rule follower. We don't need volunteers hovering over us. We couldn't even stay in the touch tank room because they kept saying hurtful things. The staff/volunteers need training in child development. They kept stating rules to us, assuming that she was going to do wrong and make the wrong choices. We were simply there trying to explore and enjoy our time as a family on spring break. The volunteers ruined our visit. We would never go back! read more

We love this little aquarium, and we are just so thrilled that they are open once again after closing during Covid, due to regulations and lack of volunteers. They run on a donation only basis and are currently open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM. The kids had a wonderful time and the volunteers are wonderful! What a great way to break up our day. read more

SEA Discovery Center - Be a volunteer! - Aquariums Near Me - Poulsbo, Washington

This is a free aquarium with a suggested donation of $2 per person. It is really tiny and many of the exhibits were missing it's sealife. They must have been hit hard with Covid. The highlight is the touch tank where kids could touch everything! My daughter loved it. Wish more of the exhibits were open. read more

SEA Discovery Center - Aquariums Near Me - Poulsbo, Washington

Cute little museum in Downtown Poulsbo that's FREE to visit! We had family visiting from out of town with small children in tow, so it was a perfect stopover while exploring Downtown Poulsbo. It's run by the Western Washington University, which has a satellite campus around the area. There's a big tide pool area where the volunteers were super friendly in letting my baby cousins touch a star fish and look at the crabs. Very beautiful with the sea anemone. Some tanks had typical aquarium fish like the blue tang and clown fish. They even had a tank with 2 octopuses and a halibut swimming around. It's not a big aquarium - I think we spent roughly 30 minutes here? Still a great place to visit while in Downtown Poulsbo, and many thanks to the volunteers who run the place! read more

SEA Discovery Center - Touching the star fish! - Aquariums Near Me - Poulsbo, Washington

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I am so glad like places like this exist and that there are such wonderful people that take the time and volunteer here. While by no means an all day experience, there is a huge touch tank with a great variety of creatures as well as a few smaller tanks to observe, enough for small children. There is no entry fee, but a donation goes a long way to help keep museums and hands on experiences like this open for children. Both my 2 as well as my 14 year old had a great time, highly recommended! read more

Really cool touch pond with sea cucumbers, starfish & lots of sea urchins! Can't wait to see their expansions!

Although small, the place is jam packed with sea life! The big touch tank is everyone's favorite. Best parts: it's FREE and the volunteers who staff it have answered all of our questions with great insights! We like going back over and over because they rotate their critters. Pro tip: Be sure to check their website for hours before planning your day, as their hours/days vary by season and they are worth the stop! read more

Neat little museum that is FREE! Volunteer staff on hand to answer any questions. There is designated parking and clean bathrooms. Museum has a small tide pool where the kids can touch and hold the sea life. read more

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If you're looking for a cheap place to take the kids while in Poulsbo, then look no further. There's no set price as it's a donation based education center, so give what you see fit. Just don't be that jerk that keeps walking and doesn't contribute anything. When you arrive, you're met by a giant octopus near the marina. It's a perfect place for a photo op as kids typically climb on it... plus - it's a giant freakin' octopus! I think that's pretty cool on its own. Through the main door is a water enclosure full of different marine life. The best part about it is that the kiddies (and adults) are able to reach in and touch everything that's inside. Everything is safe, just make sure they're being gentle and don't actually pick anything up. Kids were getting a kick out of the hands on interactions and some had to be pried away by their parents so they could move on to whatever they had going on that day. There are a few jellyfish and other sea creatures on display, including a giant skeleton of a whale that washed up on shore a few years back. It's pretty cool and it's interesting to see how big those creatures are up close. The center has docents on hand to answer any questions or to provide any other info you might want to know. A big classroom sits in the back of the building that gets used for school field trips and other activities. I thought it was pretty cool. It didn't take long to see it, but you could definitely kill some time and keep the little ones occupied if you have nothing else to do! read more

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After closing down for several years as a result of losing funding, the marine center is open again and free to the public. If you are ever in the small, charming, waterfront town of poulsbo, make sure you come into the marine center located right off the main touristy street and explore the native sea life of the area. Yes it is quite small but the 5-6 tanks that they do have are filled with the most interesting crustaceans, sea anemones, and fish that you could easily get absorbed for a long time watching the life in those tanks. At the entrance of the center is a large shallow tank for anemones and starfish that you can touch. Be careful though because the water is kept so cold that your hand will go numb after a couple of seconds! The volunteers who staff the center are very friendly and eager to tell you about the life and biology of some of these interesting sea life. I came out of it having learned many interesting facts! read more

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A very cute little aquarium within walking distance of downtown Poulsbo. The price is perfect at FREE but I suggest a donation of some kind since this is such a nice place. The staff seemed helpful though they were pretty busy, but that's what happens when you're only open on the weekends. The hours are listed as Thursday - Sunday 11 am - 4 pm, but opening at 11 am really seems like more of a suggestion. I would wait until about Noon to go, they should be open by then. read more

SEA Discovery Center - Aquariums Near Me - Poulsbo, Washington

This is an amazing little place. *Note it is little, its not an aquarium per se. They have a couple big - medium sized tanks with neat sea things for adults and kiddies. They have a community room where you can basically hang out with your kids all day and color or play or whatever. They also have classes and educational programs for all ages. They have a SeaLab! It's a really cool converted boat garage that they set up like the inside of a research vessel. I don't think it's part of the regular admission, you only get access via one of their research or education programs. DO IT BECAUSE IT IS REALLY NEAT! and they teach you science. the good stuff, not the bad stuff you find on stupid internet sites saying jade eggs work or that you need to alkalinize you blood to promote healthy living...(i digress...) The amazing thing about this is that it is a community center, it is free, and it was previously financed, magically, by the surrounding community. The facility is old though and needs some help upgrading for the safety and security of everyone. So support their causes! Western Washington University recently took over the spot and the new director is also amazing. Sylvia Yang has a passion for the marine and she's super approachable. All the volunteer staff are passionate and knowledgeable about the critters and ecosystems they come from. This is one of those community gems. read more

Had an amazing experience from the second we walking into the door. The ladies there knew their information and made us feel comfortable in the touch tank. We learned a lot in the quick I'm we were there. Highly recommended for all ages. read more

The Poulsbo Marine Science Center is a great little detour to go into when you are downtown! The aquarium is free which is awesome! The place is pretty small but there is plenty of personality and attraction to stay here for a considerable amount of time! All of the species that are in this aquarium are native to the Puget Sound area except for the few tropical fish they have there. There are all kinds of crabs to look at, some that are very unusual looking! Jellyfish also are an exhibit here which they are always fun to look at! There are two star performers here that would keep me here for a while. They have a pool which is near the entrance where you are allowed to reach in and touch whatever that is in there and in some cases, pick them up! This includes mostly starfish but there are also crabs and anemone that are apparently up for an occasional touch. Even that pool was not the thing that garnered my attention. In one of the tanks to the right there is a tank with a fairly large octopus. It was a she and she was not bashful at all. At first she was stuck on the side of the aquarium, tired and she had a pale hue to her. By the time we left however she was a bright maroon color and was moving all around and swimming. I think she liked being the center of attention but the volunteers there said she was hungry. Whatever the case may be she was beautiful! This aquarium is worth going back to for the octopus alone and it makes things much easier with that free admission! Nice place to take kids! They would not get too bored! read more

Best FREE place for people of all ages. Brings the fun of learning about marine ecosystems to your finger tips. Everything from a touch tank, the Rhea the octopus, to our new juvenile skates. Bring the whole family for a day of aquatic fun read more

The Marine Science center has undergone massive re-construction since 2010 due to flooding in a later snow storm. The reviews prior I feel are rated so poorly despite the great comments. Please, do not let those keep you from visiting the MSC!! Cradled in the setting of beautiful Downtown Poulsbo is the MSC right on the waterfront. Even before you enter the building you are greeted by a well designed mosaic making the entrance very pleasing. Once inside you may notice multiple things at once; the adolescent whale skeleton floating above, the octopus tank, and my favorite of course, the tide pool tank. They try to refrain from calling it the "touch tank" but so long as you wash your hands without soap you are able to carefully touch and explore the tank with your own two appendages! (hands!) They have a great amount of staff on board at all times, none of which are paid. As a non profit organization the entrance is free but please consider donating a dollar or two for the time and effort the whole crew puts into it. If you have any questions most are able to answer them respectfully, or direct you to any information that will be of use to you and your family. The MSC is particularly favorable with children of all ages. They frequently hold field trips for many schools in the area, all of which are ecstatic and bouncy when they walk through the doors. There's tons for them to do, including arts and crafts and a neat microscope in the back. There may not be a lot on display if compared to any major marine center such as the Seattle Aquarium, but I must express how different the two are in every way shape or form. The Marine Science Center is motivated by the belief that as a resident of the Puget Sound it is pertinent to educate those around us of the beauty and wonder that is only inches away. It is not a show, nor is it not entertaining. It is a balance of entertainment and education that you will not get from any aquarium. Please visit! read more

This is a cool place to check out the local marine life. There are tankfuls of live ones, a whale skeleton that's just too cool, and a variety of classes available. I've found the staff knowledgeable and helpful. There's a nice gift shop here, too. There's some pretty cool souvenirs in here. Atmosphere is very clean and roomy. read more

Cute FREE aquarium. We stopped in with kids for about 20 minutes to check it out. They have tube viewers to see things in the touch tank. Not too many tanks but still a nice visit and a few animals to see. read more

This place is a great stop in while you are in downtown Poulsbo. It is free but they would like your donations. It is a very small place and really would only take about 30 min to see and do everything there. You can touch things in the tide pool and you might get lucky enough to see the octopus feeding. The octopus here is among the most active I have seen in any aquarium. In another tank they have a wolf eel... which isn't really an eel but has the name. He is particularly hard to get a glimpse of. I've been here for several school field trips as well. Some well organized, others not so much. In the back there are a few rooms to 'learn', they give presentations to the class and also allow for art projects. In addition there is a screening room where they show short films about sea life. I take my daughter here during the rainy season and it leaves her wanting more but she has fun. read more

This is a pretty sweet little stop with kiddos if you need to burn a little bit of time. It's a really cool FREE activity, but it is VERY small. And some of the tanks/exhibits are empty or under repair. I will say that as of last weekend, there was not an octopus. So that is a bummer. I heard that there will be a new octopus within the next couple of months after the aquarium that holds him is repaired and cleaned. This really is a neat place to see (and touch!) some cool ocean life. Don't plan on spending an entire day though! Its perfect for 30-40 minutes after lunch activity when you and yours are hanging out in the cool town of poulsbo. read more

A Great place for young kids. Volunteers were helpful and informative. Our 3 and 6 year old felt very comfortable here and we spent few hours touching sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers to washing a movie about different sea creatures. It's not as big or extensive as big city aquariums but a good side trip for little ones. Plus, it's free. read more

This is a great place to visit since its reopening this last fall. The exhibits are new. There is a Giant Pacific Octopus. There is a tide pool tank where your kids get to see some of the local under water animals. A piling tank that represents the area around a submerged pile and a look down tank that is still under construction. With more exhibits planned as well. The staff in knowledgeable and friendly that is willing and able to show people around the exhibits. read more

Pretty small thought there would be more tanks to look at. Not bad to stop by and see if your in the area and alof of eateries walking distance. read more

This was a nice break from the norm on a cold, rainy day. But, it was small and not a whole lot to do. I do like the media room and my kids enjoyed coloring a picture. But, we were done with everything in about 25 minutes. Would have liked a little more to do and see. I greatly appreciate those who volunteer there. read more

We spend a day exploring Poulsbo. We loved this place. My kid spent a few hours just touching the animals. One of the volunteers and her son (who is also a volunteer) spent a lot of time showing off the start fish, crabs, etc. It was a great place to visit. We would go there again since the kids had a blast looking and touching the marine life. read more

What a great pitstop if you're in hanging in Poulsbo and need an inexpensive activity for kids! The people working were so patient, kind, and helpful. We brought 2 little ones- age 5.5 and 3.5 and they both had a blast in the touch tanks and in the "arts and crafts" room in the back. They've been talking for days about all the animals they saw and felt and everything they learned while they were there (ex: starfish regrow their legs, mouths are on the bottom, etc.). Will definitely be back every time we're in the area! So grateful for places like this for education and fun for families :) read more

SEA Discovery Center - Aquariums Near Me - Poulsbo, Washington

Great place for kids of all ages to learn about & interact with marine life. Everything in the tank is hands on so kids can touch and pick up the aquatic animals. Best of all, it's free! I just wish they'd expand their exhibits a bit more. read more

Do NOT take your special need child(ren) here! My small special needs class was not welcome in the museum. We arrived, and in less than 3 minutes, were ushered out. Sadly, I will never return to this location. They have been the only establishment in the whole of Kitsap county where my students were treated this way. If I could give them a zero rating, I would. read more

This small place is free and run by volunteers. And they wonder why it keeps closing down. . . .

Friendly staff, lots to look at and learn about! Can't wait to bring my daughters back.