Port Townsend Marine Science Center

Port Townsend Marine Science Center Founded in 1982, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is a non-profit 501c3 educational organization

At the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center welcomes people to discover and delight in the incredible biodiversity of the Salish Sea. At Fort Worden Historical State Park, our newly remodeled exhibit is open by donation Friday - Monday, 11 AM - 4 PM. In downtown Port Townsend, visit the Store and Gallery at 1001 Water St., the historic Flagship Landing bu

ilding. You can also visit the Whale on the Wharf, on the wharf at the end of Taylor St., a block from the Flagship Landing building. Before visiting, please check out our open hours at https://ptmsc.org

06/18/2026

Look what we saw during the lowest tides of the year! 👀 The intertidal zone is an amazing place. These creatures have adapted to living their lives between the tides, sometimes subject to extreme conditions. Make sure to step carefully, observe animals where they are, and always touch gently with wet fingers.

If you want to explore the tidepools with us this summer at Fort Worden State Park, join us for our guided low tide walks! Go to our events calendar at ptmsc.org to see a list of upcoming dates. 🦀

Get ready to Share the Shore! 🦭Did you know June-August is harbor seal pupping season on the Olympic Peninsula? This mea...
06/12/2026

Get ready to Share the Shore! 🦭

Did you know June-August is harbor seal pupping season on the Olympic Peninsula? This means harbor seal pups will be spending a lot of time out of the water and on our local shorelines. While harbor seal pups can swim almost immediately after birth, they need to spend lots of time on the beach to stay warm and rest while their moms are out hunting.

We have some tips to help keep you and harbor seal pups safe:

➡️ Keep your distance, and keep your pets on a leash! NOAA recommends staying back at least 300 feet (100 yards) from harbor seals. If a seal reacts to you or your pet’s presence by staring, fidgeting, or fleeing, you are too close! Harbor seal mothers may abandon their pups if there's too much disturbance around their pup, so give them as much space as possible!

➡️ Call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114 if you see a stranded marine mammal. The hotline will forward your report to your closest stranding network partner. You will be asked additional questions about the status and location of the animal, so taking photos and finding the approximate coordinates of where the stranded marine mammal is located is very helpful.

Be sure to share the shore this summer and enjoy seeing harbor seal pups from a safe distance!

NOAA permit #24359.

Friday, June 19 is a free day at Washington State Parks! Come join us for an afternoon low tide walk at Fort Worden Stat...
06/11/2026

Friday, June 19 is a free day at Washington State Parks!

Come join us for an afternoon low tide walk at Fort Worden State Park.

Learn how to tidepool responsibly and observe the unique adaptations for life to survive and thrive in the intertidal zone. 🌊

All ages welcome. Pricing and registration at the link in our bio.

Don't miss Bar Stool Bingo! Coming up tomorrow, June 10 🐙Support the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and win fun pri...
06/09/2026

Don't miss Bar Stool Bingo! Coming up tomorrow, June 10 🐙

Support the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and win fun prizes!

Wednesday, June 10
7-10 PM
The Hilltop Tavern
2510 W Sims Way, Port Townsend, WA

$1 per round, or $10 to play all 10 rounds.

All proceeds support PTMSC!

Happy World Oceans Day! 🌊 Come celebrate our beautiful, biodiverse, blue planet with us. Our exhibit at Fort Worden Stat...
06/08/2026

Happy World Oceans Day! 🌊 Come celebrate our beautiful, biodiverse, blue planet with us. Our exhibit at Fort Worden State Park is open today 11 am - 4 pm.

Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries

We’ve updated our Community Tool Library Wishlist! 💞Check your sheds and garages! Your donation doesn’t have to be the e...
06/05/2026

We’ve updated our Community Tool Library Wishlist! 💞

Check your sheds and garages! Your donation doesn’t have to be the exact make/models listed, but a similar or higher-quality item is preferred. We are aiming for this level of quality because wear and tear on library items is high. If you already have one of these items, bring it to a donation day, and we can evaluate it!

Find our wishlist here! https://www.myregistry.com/organization/jeffco-community-tool-library-port-townsend-wa/5428170/giftlist

We accept tool donations on the 2nd Saturday of every month during our regular open hours at the Jefferson County fairgrounds.

BioBlitz is almost here! 🦋Let’s warm up your I.D. muscles! Can you name this brightly colored organism? Bonus points if ...
06/03/2026

BioBlitz is almost here! 🦋

Let’s warm up your I.D. muscles! Can you name this brightly colored organism? Bonus points if you can name what it is hiding in. Drop your guesses in the comments. ⬇️

The Fort Worden Spring BioBlitz is a two-day, self-guided event. It begins when the park opens (6:30 a.m.) on June 6th and continues until the park closes (9:30 p.m.) on June 7th.

📲 Bring your camera or smart phone to take pictures of plants, fungi, and wildlife as you hike trails and beaches and explore historic gun batteries! Download the iNaturalist app or Seek app on your smart phone to upload pictures and observations directly to the Fort Worden BioBlitz project page.

On Sunday, June 7th from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. partners will host an interactive celebration of citizen science and stewardship! Stop by the park office for more information about how to get started. Then visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Museum for tips on documenting creatures and living things in the marine environment. Lastly, hike up Artillery Hill and stop by the State Parks’ booth for tips documenting forest creatures, plants, and fungi.

No registration necessary! This is a FREE event happening on a Discover Pass FREE weekend!

🌱 More info here: https://parks.wa.gov/FortWordenBioBlitz

We’ll see you at Port Townsend Pride this Saturday, June 6, from 12-5 PM at Pope Marine Park! There will be 70+ vendors,...
06/02/2026

We’ll see you at Port Townsend Pride this Saturday, June 6, from 12-5 PM at Pope Marine Park!

There will be 70+ vendors, a boat parade, live drag, live music, a kid zone, and a sensory zone.

And come check out our booth - we will have interactive activities and educational displays for all ages.

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride!🏳️‍⚧️

Raise a glass to the Salish Sea! 🍻Scuttlebutt Taproom & Brewery and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center collaborated...
05/29/2026

Raise a glass to the Salish Sea! 🍻

Scuttlebutt Taproom & Brewery and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center collaborated to create a Salish Sea–inspired beer that supports marine conservation and science education. Scuttlebutt, a family-owned brewery based in Everett, Washington, has long drawn inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, crafting beers that reflect the region’s character, landscapes, and sense of place.

You can now find Ebb & Flow Amber Ale at local taprooms: The Keg and I in Chimacum, Pourhouse in Port Townsend, and Taps at the Guardhouse in Fort Worden State Park.

Learn more here: https://ptmsc.org/introducing-ebb-and-flow-amber-ale/

👉 Post a photo of you enjoying Ebb & Flow and tag us!

What lurks in the depths? 🦑Join next month's book club discussion to find out! "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majes...
05/28/2026

What lurks in the depths? 🦑

Join next month's book club discussion to find out! "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It" by Helen Scales.

The deep ocean and its inhabitants are some of the strangest and least documented on our planet. How do these animals survive under such intense pressure? How have they evolved to function in total darkness? From hydrothermal vents to whale falls, the deep ocean is an incredibly unique environment. Just as quickly as exploration began, so has exploitation. The more we discover about the abyss, the more we have to discuss how to protect it.

📖 Join the discussion!
When: Sunday, June 14 at 2 PM
Where: Mezzanine Aldrich’s (2nd floor), 940 Lawrence St, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Food & Drinks: Grab a treat and a drink from Aldrich’s, then make your way upstairs.

Please RSVP and find a full book list here: https://ptmsc.org/dive-into-a-book/

Access titles in a way that is best suited for your personal comprehension and needs. Audio and E-books are welcome!

Address

1001 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA
98368

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+13603855582

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Port Townsend Marine Science Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Port Townsend Marine Science Center:

Shortcuts

Share