The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s annual Sea Star Festival in Charleston, Oregon, invites visitors to experience the lively pulse of the Pacific tidepools through hands-on activities, expert talks, and immersive exhibits. This event, centered around the ocean’s sometimes overlooked heroes—the sea stars—offers an opportunity to connect with marine life in a way that’s equal parts educational and adventurous.

Located on the southern Oregon Coast, Charleston provides the perfect backdrop: salty ocean breezes mix with the rugged coastline’s raw power. The Aquarium’s outdoor tidepools dare you to crouch close, revealing sea stars in electric hues clinging stubbornly to rocks, as the waves push and pull in a steady rhythm. Inside, interactive displays challenge curious adventurers to understand the fragile ecosystem that these stars fiercely depend on.

The Sea Star Festival runs for a weekend, typically in mid-April when sea star populations revive after seasonal setbacks. The event combines guided tidepool explorations with workshops that highlight sea star biology, ocean conservation, and the delicate balance of coastal habitats. The Aquarium’s staff and marine biologists become your guides through an adventure that respects the ocean’s power and presents its creatures as vibrant, living forces.

For practical planning, Charleston’s compact area means accommodations and eateries are within easy reach of the Aquarium—ideal for travelers balancing exploration with comfort. Expect variable weather: mornings start with cool ocean mist that quickly clears to crisp, sunny skies. Dress in layers, bring sturdy footwear suitable for slippery rocks if venturing onto nearby natural tidepools, and keep hydration close—the Pacific air can be deceptively dehydrating.

The festival’s terrain is gentle but demands attention to slippery surfaces and shifting sands. Elevation changes are minimal, making the event accessible to families, casual explorers, and hikers seeking moderate physical engagement alongside intellectual discovery. Timing your visit early in the day maximizes tidepool access, before high tide backs its waves up the shore.

Engaging with sea stars during the festival is more than observation. Their movement, slow but purposeful, teaches patience and respect for nature’s quieter strengths. The festival’s blend of tactile experiences and scientific insight builds a practical understanding of ocean conservation challenges, empowering visitors to leave with knowledge to protect this fiercely alive coast.

Whether you’re a marine enthusiast or someone seeking a unique coastal adventure, the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Sea Star Festival offers a straightforward, immersive window into tidepool life and the larger marine community. It’s a call to step outside, steady yourself on wet rocks, and meet an ocean ecosystem that’s as dynamic as it is fragile.