Marine Science Otago

09/10/2026

There are only three dates left for our Marine Encounters tours this year! 🌊

This Sunday, October 11, is the last day of the school holidays, so bring the kids along for one final adventure before Term 4 kicks off!

Our expert guides will catch you up on the ocean science in your backyard, complete with a deep sea dive and time at our famous interaction tanks. You might even catch a glimpse of our Hutton’s octopus hiding in the rocks. 🐙

🗓 Sunday, 11 October 2026
🕙 10–11:30am or 12–1:30pm

Can’t make it this week? Book in for November 8 or December 6, and we’ll make sure the anemones are in full bloom. Reservations are required and tours do fill up, so don’t wait!

Hope to SEA you soon 👋

To book a tour, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/marine-encounters-at-the-nz-marine-studies-centre

22/09/2026

17/09/2026

09/09/2026

🦑 Our Marine Studies Centre showcases local marine life and offers education programmes for all ages – including the tamariki from Dunedin Nature School, who visited last week.

🪸 We loved reading this feedback from Dunedin Nature School co-founder Lizzie Potter:

"We had a fascinating workshop on plankton presented by marine scientist Hannah Drury, and had a good look at the seahorses, pipefish, and various other creatures.

"Once Hannah had demonstrated what the dials on the microscopes did, we were ready for some hands-on learning. We carefully placed seawater onto each grooved slide using a pipette and it was very cool to hear oohs and aahs as the little plankton creatures came into focus.

“Then Hannah took a few tamariki through to the touch tanks and they arrived back with snail egg sacs containing thousands of tiny snails that looked like tiny pin heads for everyone to look at up close.

“Hannah's passion for marine science was contagious as she kept bringing out creatures from other tanks to share with us. How lucky are we to have such an incredible resource on our doorstep with passionate educators?

"We value our Marine Centre relationship immensely. Tamariki who've attended past workshops still talk about them. which shows how hands-on, experiential learning can make a profound impact."

🐙 You can visit our website to plan your own visit to the Marine Studies Centre: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies

Marine Science Otago Nature School Dunedin

08/09/2026

Scientists believed there were only two species of hornerid bryozoans in Aotearoa New Zealand, but new research shows several more have been secretly evolving and thriving in the nation’s southern waters.

15/07/2026

The Marks’ Ecology Award was created to support promising University of Otago students undertaking Ecology research.

14/07/2026

🐙🐙 Come and hang out with marine scientists, surrounded by incredible videos of the underwater world of Otago Harbour! 🐙🐙

Discover the secret sea life that’s hidden just off our shores at this free event hosted at Tūhura Otago Museum’s Beautiful Science Gallery this Friday and Saturday from 10am-1pm

This International Science Festival NanoFest 2026 event is family friendly with activities for all ages including a sea life scavenger hunt, colouring-in, and talks with local ocean experts!

🌊🌊 We can’t wait to see you there! 🌊🌊

30/06/2026

👉These school holidays is a great time to learn more about the creatures that live in the harbour and ocean around us.

Marine Science Otago has create three amazing opportunities as part of Nanofest 2026, so there is something for all ages and abilities to learn and connect to our amazing marine life!

👶Junior Marine Discoveries: Sea, Learn, Play!🐟
This event is designed for families with young children to connect with their coast and learn more about our mighty moana!
📆Thursday 16th July, 10am and 1pm
📍NZ Marine Studies Centre, Portobello
BOOKING ESSENTIAL. $10 for all (designed for ages 0-7 and all children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult)

🙂Marine Encounters🦑
Tour the Portobello Marine Lab's research and teaching facilities and glimpse what it is like to study Marine Science at the University of Otago.
📆Sunday 19th July, 10am and 12pm
📍NZ Marine Studies Centre, Portobello
BOOKING ESSENTIAL $20 adults, $10 children

🔎OTAGO HARBOUR'S SECRET SEA LIFE
Find Otago’s Secret Sea Life in a family-friendly event with coloring-in, scavenger hunts, and local experts ready to share their stories!
📆Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July, 10am - 1pm
📍Tūhura Otago Museum
DROP-IN, FREE

30/06/2026

See who’s hiding just off our shores here in Otago Harbour at our free event for NanoFest 2026! 🐟🦀

The NZ Marine Studies Centre is joining forces with Tūhura Otago Museum, videographer Jonas Goodwin, and Coastal People : Southern Skies, to bring you a larger than life video display of our amazing local marine environment in the Beautiful Science Gallery on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July from 10am - 1pm 🐙🦞

Free for all ages, no booking required, just come along and enjoy! 🤿