Something Remarkable Is Rising on the Waterfront

The Olympic Coast Exploration Center is a new home for marine education, science, and community — coming to Port Angeles in 2028.

BECAUSE TO UNDERSTAND THE OCEAN, YOU HAVE TO

EXPERIENCE IT

A modern glass building with people walking outside, some with children and strollers, cars parked nearby, and a clear sky with clouds.

For 45 years, Feiro Marine Life Center has connected our community to the marine world. Now, in partnership with NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, we're building something bigger — a state-of-the-art facility that will welcome 75,000 visitors every year and bring the wonder of the Olympic Coast to life like never before.

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Explore Our Vision

Water Connects Us All

The Olympic Peninsula is shaped by water — its economy, its culture, its future. This new facility is an investment in all of it. A place where students discover their futures, families explore their backyard, and scientists share their work with the world.

55,000 More Visitors Welcomed Every Year

Tripling our current capacity to serve more of our community and beyond.

More Learning and Career Opportunities

Expanded hands-on programs for K–12 students, career exploration in marine trades, and pathways into conservation work.

A Gathering Place
For All

A year-round destination on the waterfront, open to everyone — families, educators, researchers, and visitors.

Stewardship For The Next Generation

Helping our community understand and care for one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the nation.

Step Inside The Vision

The Olympic Coast Exploration Center will be nearly three times the size of our current facility — filled with immersive exhibits, live animals, and hands-on experiences that trace the journey of water from alpine glaciers to the deep Pacific.

World map with a silhouette of a man and child holding hands, and several circular images showing children playing in water, coral reefs, and people on boats. Text reads 'One Ocean Unites Us' and describes ocean conservation.
Watch The Video
  • Two boys looking at and pointing to sea stars inside an aquarium tank at an educational exhibit.

    Touch Pool & Rocky Reef Exhibits

    Get up close with the living creatures of our coast — sea stars, giant Pacific octopus, and the tidal ecosystems that define the Olympic shoreline.

  • A close-up of a colorful bird, likely a wood duck, swimming in water with blurred background.

    The Seabird Aviary

    A state-of-the-art exhibit featuring tufted puffins and other local seabirds, illuminating the interspecies connections that hold our ecosystem together.

  • Two boys sitting by the edge of a swimming pool, one wearing an orange camouflage cap with the brand 'Cabelas' and the other wearing a black cap and yellow shirt, working with electronic equipment.

    Ocean-Science In Action

    Pilot a remotely operated vehicle, explore active research, and discover the tools that scientists use to understand our seas.

  • A man with glasses wearing a white shirt and dark cardigan, holding an illustration of two men in a park setting. The background shows a modern building with large windows and a clear sky.

    The Arthur D. Feiro Learning Center

    An educational hub honoring 45 years of marine education — now expanded to inspire the next generation of scientists, stewards, and curious minds.

  • A modern building with large glass windows, people walking on the sidewalk, two cars parked, and trees along the street.

    Outdoor Waterfront Plaza

    A public gathering place where the community meets the water — open, inviting, and connected to the heart of Port Angeles.

More Than a Building

The Olympic Coast Exploration Center is a collaboration rooted in science, stewardship, and national significance. By uniting the nonprofit expertise of Feiro Marine Life Center with the research depth of NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, we're creating something new on the Olympic Peninsula.

NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary protects more than 3,000 square miles of marine waters off the West Coast. That extraordinary research will live alongside hands-on public education in one shared space.

We're also building in close conference with the tribal nations of the Olympic Peninsula — the Lower Elwha, Jamestown, Makah, Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault. The building will be located on Klallam ancestral territory, but covers lands and waters of many Tribes.

Map of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state with highlighted areas including the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and the Olympic Coast Exploration Center. Featuring geographic details like the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and surrounding regions such as Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

WE’RE 70% OF THE WAY THERE

YOU CAN HELP

A large whale skull sculpture suspended from the ceiling inside a modern museum with tall glass windows. Silhouettes of visitors are observing and taking photos.

As of early 2026, the Olympic Coast Exploration Center has secured over $24 million toward our $35 million construction goal — including $18 million in federal funds, $1 million in state funds, and $5 million in private donations from people just like you.

The remaining funds raised will cover critical construction funding that is challenging to source, ensuring hands-on experiences that will make this facility truly unforgettable.

Support the Campaign
  • Person standing and looking at a presentation screen showing a floor plan or layout diagram.

    Architectural design finalized. Community input gathered. Federal and state funding secured.

    2024-2025

    Design & Engineering

  • Construction workers wearing safety vests and helmets working near a utility truck.

    Groundbreaking on the Port Angeles waterfront.

    September 2026

    Construction Begins

  • A display with large, detailed octopus and seashells, likely part of an aquarium or themed exhibit.

    Current facility closes as construction nears completion.

    September 2027

    Feiro Marine Life Center Closes

  • People walking and sitting outside a modern glass-front building with trees and streetlights.

    Doors open to the community and visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

    2028

    Olympic Coast Exploration Center Opens

Raised to Date
$0M
Campaign Goal
$35M
0% raised $10.5M remaining
$18M Federal Funds
$1M State Funds
$5M Private Donations

There are many ways to help bring the Olympic Coast Exploration Center to life.

  • "We are proud to be champions for the Olympic Coast Exploration Center and are excited for this new amenity for the Pacific Northwest region to take shape."

    — KATE DEXTER, MAYOR OF PORT ANGELES

  • "Our students need more of these types of learning experiences available and accessible in our community."

    — MICHELLE OLSEN, PORT ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • "We couldn't be more thrilled to collaborate together to create a vibrant and healthy vision for our City's waterfront."

    — STEVEN RAIDER-GINSBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FIELD ARTS & EVENTS HALL

  • "Water connects us all. The Olympic Coast Exploration Center will transform that connection into action, creating a place where curiosity becomes stewardship and where our community can come together to care for the ocean that sustains us."

    — MELISSA WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FEIRO MARINE LIFE CENTER

  • "This project is rooted in the character of Port Angeles — hardworking, forward-looking, and deeply connected to the natural world. We are building opportunities for our youth, vitality for our downtown, and pride for the Peninsula."

    — BETSY MATTHEWS, CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR

  • "By tripling our education capacity and expanding hands-on learning, we're cultivating tomorrow's marine scientists, engineers, teachers, and conservation leaders."

    — DEBORAH MORIARTY, CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR

Get Involved
A puffin bird floating on water.

FAQ

A teal background with a large dark blue question mark in the center.

  • The new facility will be located at the Port Angeles Waterfront Center on the west end of downtown Port Angeles, Washington. It will join the Field Arts & Events Hall and the future Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Cultural Center —forming a shared campus dedicated to arts, science, culture, and community life on the Olympic Peninsula.

  • After more than 45 years serving the community, Feiro has outgrown its current space. The existing facility is aging and limited in size, making it difficult to expand programming, meet visitor demand, and support long-term sustainability. The new center will be approximately three times larger, allowing for expanded exhibits, increased visitation, improved operations, and enhanced educational and conservation programming.

  • The name Olympic Coast Exploration Center reflects both the region and the expanded scope of the work. While the organization is evolving, Feiro remains central to its identity. The Arthur D. Feiro Learning Center will carry forward that legacy within the new facility.

  • Yes. A selection of exhibits will feature live animals native to the region, including seabirds such as tufted puffins. The new facility will include upgraded systems to support animal care, including dedicated life support, quarantine, and veterinary oversight, aligned with modern best practices.

  • The Olympic Coast Exploration Center is expected to open in 2028.

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Be part of something that will last for generations.

The Olympic Coast Exploration Center will open its doors in 2028 — and the choices made right now will determine what's inside them. Your gift makes the difference between possible and extraordinary.

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