EXPLORE! CONNECT! INSPIRE!

We are now OPEN again!
 Visit us Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 4pm.

Come check out our refreshed space and our EXTENDED Plankton Exhibit!
Register now for Urban Birding and other educational programs as well.

309 State Ave. NE Olympia, WA 98501

Urban BirdingJoin the Estuarium for a walk around downtown as we eye the sky for the various birds that call South Sound home! No birding experience required!
Please bring your own binoculars, however we do have a few to spare.
This Urban Birding tour also includes a tour of our Estuarium (marine and estuary science center).LEARN MOREPuget SoundCore FREE Poetry WorkshopsTake part in a collaboration between art and nature! Express your unique estuary experiences through poems and creative literature under the guidance of professional poets! This workshop is for anyone interested in the arts to write, read, and learn about the community’s shared care for our environment.Register Here!Join us on the Docks for Pier PeerExplore the wonders of marine life up close! Floodlights under the dock allow for optimal visibility, and guests can view marine life up close and on a screen via our underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV).Learn More

Benefit Cruise 2026


Summer Camp Registration


Pier Peer


Urban Birding & Sea Stroll

About

Our mission, story and animals.

Upcoming Events

Programs, exhibits, and more.

Pier Peer

Discover what stirs beneath the dock.

K-12 Education

Resources for teachers.

Meet the Beach

Explore life at low tide.

Support

Volunteer, donate, or join the Board.

Upcoming Events

September 2026

Tiny Tides Storytime

Walk right in and join us for Tiny Tides Storytime September 19th from 5pm-6pm. This Tiny Tides Storytime theme is sea otters!  Add Your Heading Text Here
19 Sep
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Puget Sound Estuarium

309 State NE Olympia, Wa 98501

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Pier Peer at Zittel’s Marina

Come discover the mysterious creatures that stir below the pier! Our trained biologists provide underwater lights that attract spectacular estuary creatures for you to safely observe, while our volunteer Beach Naturalists help you identify and learn more about what you’ve found. From octopus to anemones, from sea stars to sea slugs, you never know what you’ll encounter! Pier Peer is one of our most popular events, so register early to ensure your spot.  Prices: Adults $18, Kids 12 and under $5 We have a low-income discount that offers free registration to individuals or families with an EBT card. To utilize this…
19 Sep
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Zittel's Marina

9144 Gallea St NE Olympia, WA 98516

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Urban Birding: Downtown Tour

Join the Estuarium for a walk around downtown as we eye the sky for the various birds that call South Sound home! During spring we will walk the Olympia Port Peninsula, starting at the LOTT wetlands to hear the songs of Red-winged blackbirds and watch Mallards take a sunny afternoon nap. Don’t forget your binoculars as we head along East Bay to spot Purple Martins flying in and out of nest boxes foraging for their chicks. Then, stroll over to catch a glimpse of the Ospreys using the nesting platforms at Swantown Marina. Finally, we will round out the tour looking for…
27 Sep
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Puget Sound Estuarium

309 State NE Olympia, Wa 98501

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October 2026

FREE Pier Peer at Hood Canal

Explore the estuary; from tiny plankton, to animals living on the docks and deep below. Take a peek at the wonderful world of plankton with our microscopes. Underwater lights attract spectacular estuary creatures for you to observe. Volunteer naturalists help you identify and learn more about what you’ve found. Get the chance to see into the depths with our underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Pier Peer is one of our most popular events and there is limited space on the docks, so register early to ensure your spot. Prices: Mason County Pier Peer events are FREE! This event is made possible with…
09 Oct
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Alderbrook Resort & Spa

10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union, WA 98592

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Urban Birding: Downtown Tour

Join the Estuarium for a walk around downtown as we eye the sky for the various birds that call South Sound home! During spring we will walk the Olympia Port Peninsula, starting at the LOTT wetlands to hear the songs of Red-winged blackbirds and watch Mallards take a sunny afternoon nap. Don’t forget your binoculars as we head along East Bay to spot Purple Martins flying in and out of nest boxes foraging for their chicks. Then, stroll over to catch a glimpse of the Ospreys using the nesting platforms at Swantown Marina. Finally, we will round out the tour looking for…
25 Oct
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Puget Sound Estuarium

309 State NE Olympia, Wa 98501

View Detail

FREE Pier Peer at Shelton Yacht Club

Explore the estuary; from tiny plankton, to animals living on the docks and deep below. Take a peek at the wonderful world of plankton with our microscopes. Underwater lights attract spectacular estuary creatures for you to observe. Volunteer naturalists help you identify and learn more about what you’ve found. Get the chance to see into the depths with our underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Pier Peer is one of our most popular events and there is limited space on the docks, so register early to ensure your spot. Prices: Mason County Pier Peer events are FREE! This event is made possible…
30 Oct
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shelton Yacht Club

701 E Pine St, Shelton, WA 98584

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November 2026

Urban Birding: Downtown Tour

Join the Estuarium for a walk around downtown as we eye the sky for the various birds that call South Sound home! During spring we will walk the Olympia Port Peninsula, starting at the LOTT wetlands to hear the songs of Red-winged blackbirds and watch Mallards take a sunny afternoon nap. Don’t forget your binoculars as we head along East Bay to spot Purple Martins flying in and out of nest boxes foraging for their chicks. Then, stroll over to catch a glimpse of the Ospreys using the nesting platforms at Swantown Marina. Finally, we will round out the tour looking for…
22 Nov
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Puget Sound Estuarium

309 State NE Olympia, Wa 98501

View Detail

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