Marine Life Center

The Marine Life Center is a compact public education facility at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, operated by the Port of Bellingham. Its focus is entirely regional, using live exhibits and interactive displays to introduce visitors to the marine life and habitats of Bellingham Bay and the Salish Sea. The center's small scale keeps the experience intimate, with visitors able to observe local creatures at close range rather than moving through a large collection of themed aquarium galleries.

The facility includes a touch tank, rock shore habitat, algae tank, octopus tank, and bubble tank, with the exhibits populated by marine life from local waters. The center also supports marine education through class visits and programs designed to encourage greater understanding and stewardship of coastal ecosystems. Its staff have cared for approximately 300 species, with some injured octopuses rehabilitated and released back into the wild. The Marine Life Center suits travelers interested in Pacific Northwest marine ecology who prefer hands-on learning, local species, and a direct connection to the working waterfront.