Oregon Coast Aquarium

Oregon Coast Aquarium
Main building at the aquarium
Map
Date openedMay 23, 1992; 32 years ago (May 23, 1992)
LocationNewport, Oregon
Land area23 acres (9.3 ha)
No. of animals64,000+
No. of species375
Annual visitors450,000 (2012)
Websitewww.aquarium.org

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an aquarium in Newport in the U.S. state of Oregon. Opened in 1992, the facility sits on 23 acres (9.3 ha) along Yaquina Bay near the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium was home to Keiko, the orca who starred in the movie Free Willy, from January 7, 1996, until September 9, 1998, when he was shipped to Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. USA Today considers the Oregon Coast Aquarium world-class[1] and Coastal Living magazine ranks it among the top ten aquariums in North America.[2]

  1. ^ Joseph B. Frazier (May 6, 2008). "Oregon's coast is easy and affordable to see by car". USA Today. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Top 10 Aquariums". Coastal Living. Retrieved March 9, 2010.