A new concept of hands-on museum/aquarium has opened on Hampton Beach. Explore the Ocean World, with marine biologist Ellen Goethel, has opened an “Oceanarium” for the summer. It offers an interactive learning experience of the Gulf of Maine, with live sea animals from tidepools to animals brought in by local commercial fisherman fishing up to 600 feet below the surface. The facility features a six foot 150 gallon refrigerated tank that houses the deep water animals, including spiny crabs and several types of sea stars. The displays include marine mammal artifacts along with shark and invertebrate exoskeletons, all for visitors to touch and explore. The displays center around a touch tank containing the usual tide pool animals along with several of the deep water species. This unique experience includes interaction with biologists.
This Oceanarium has been a dream of Ellen’s for 30 years, while she has been presenting hands-on marine science programs to schools throughout New England.
The facility is open daily from 10:00am-5:00pm and is available for events including birthday parties. Explore the Ocean World is located at the rear of 367 Ocean Boulevard in the Oceanside Mall. For more information, email exploretheoceanworld@hotmail.com or call 603-758-7998.
