A special exhibit is coming to the Estuarium!

Explore the Puget Sound through the lens of an Orca during our rotating exhibit, The Orca Odyssey, on display October through January. Visit the Estuarium on the weekends to learn about the life and history of orcas in the Puget Sound. Admission to the Estuarium will be free on one day each month to celebrate the exhibit and make sure everyone has a chance to see it!

The exhibit consists of beautiful photos of orcas, information about their history in this area, and the survival challenges they continue to face. You will learn about what they eat, how they live, and get to understand the relationship the Southern Resident Orcas have with the greater Puget Sound. We will have samples of real marine mammal pelts, teeth, and Harbor Porpoise Skeleton on display as you explore the exhibit to further contextualize the life of an orca in these waters. We will have some fish prints day where you can make salmon art and learn about salmon, a significant food source for orcas in the area. There will even be themed games and prizes!

The exhibit is centered around the displays of the traveling exhibit Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home. The exhibit was produced by Braided River, The Seattle Times, and Studio To Be. It was designed by Andrew Whiteman and Braided River and was developed from the book of the same name written by Seattle Times journalist Lynda V. Mapes and published by Braided River with the Seattle Times. The book will be sold in the Estuarium gift shop throughout the duration of the exhibit.

Come down to the Estuarium in downtown Olympia between 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays in October, November, December, and January to learn all about the Puget Sound’s resident orcas and say hello to other estuarine creatures in our tanks!

Orca Exhibit Events

The Orca Odyssey Exhibit will be accompanied by special events highlighting the topic of marine mammal welfare, including free admission days filled with fun education, hands-on activities and arts & crafts! We will have speakers in person at the Estuarium and are starting our Discovery Speaker Series with a talk about Orcas and Salmon. You can catch Discovery Speaker Series talks on Facebook Live every first Thursday of the month, starting on October 6th at 6:30 PM.