Special Tours and Encounters

Octopus Encounters

Explore the realm of the Giant Pacific Octopus and get a slimy handshake! As with the Sea Lion Encounters, the Octopus Encounter includes a behind-the-scenes tour and educational information about the care of this amazing invertebrate.

Pricing: Encounters do not include admission to the Aquarium. Purchase tickets online.

• $35 for Aquarium members
• $40 for non-members.
  

Participants: Ages 8 and up. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult over 21 years of age. Maximum number of participants per encounter: 10.

Dates and Times: To see all upcoming animal encounter dates and times, visit our Events Calendar. 

Sea Lion Kisses

No trip to the Aquarium is complete without a fishy kiss from a sea lion! Take a trip behind the scenes and meet one of our furry friends and get a memory you will never forget. Make sure to bring your camera! This is a 20-30 minute experience including a behind-the-scenes look at our pinniped facility followed by a whiskery kiss from a sea lion or harbor seal and fun photo opportunities

• Saturdays and Sundays in April and May at 1:30 p.m.
  

Pricing: Kisses prices do not include admission to the Aquarium.

• $30 members
• $35 nonmembers
  

Participants: Ages 8 and up. Maximum number of participants per encounter: 10

Reservations: To make your reservation, register online, call (541) 867-3474; or reserve with our admissions staff on the day of your visit (if availability allows).

Behind the Scenes Tours

How does the Aquarium care for a swarm of stinging jellies, a five-hundred pound California Sea Lion and dozens of toothy sharks? Travel behind the scenes with us to explore the ins and outs of caring for over 20,000 animals everyday. 

Pricing: Tours do not include admission to the Aquarium. 

• $10 for Aquarium members
  
• $15 for non-members
  

Participants: Ages 6 and up.  Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult over 21 years of age. Maximum number of participant per tour: 10. Tours are 30 minutes in duration.

Dates and Times: To see all upcoming tour dates and times, visit our Events Calendar.

Special Requirements: This tour includes a trip to the top of the Passage of the Deep exhibit requiring participants to be able to climb 2 flights of stairs unaided.

Payment Policy

Although it is possible to add any of these programs on the day of your visit, we strongly recommend you pre-book due to limited space and high demand. The price of these programs does not include admission to the Aquarium. 

Registration: Call 541-867-3474 or purchase online. Full payment is required at the time of booking. 

Refunds: In order to be provided a full refund or to be given the opportunity to select a different program date, please provide us with 48 hours notice if you can not participate in your scheduled program. Forty-eight hours notice will be provided if the program needs to be canceled.

Late Arrivals: We recommend that participants for all these programs arrive at least ten minutes before their departure time. Once a program has begun, we are not able to add late-arriving participants. Refunds are not available for those who miss their scheduled program.

A Note About Working With Wild Animals: The Aquarium offers special experiences with wild animals, including encounters and kisses. During these programs, we request certain behaviors from our animals but we cannot always guarantee they will be willing to participate. Your understanding is appreciated.