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Covering 160 miles of Oregon coast travel: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

Summer Cometh: Are you ready?

Dive and Snorkel at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

(Newport, Oregon) - You could say it's a chance for visitors to the Oregon coast to dig really deep into their travel experience.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is offering snorkelers and certified divers a weekend of swimming with the fish and learning about marine life. The Aquarium is partnering with Diving Unlimited International (DUI), a scuba diving equipment manufacturer, to host the annual Diver Rally and Demo Days, Friday through Sunday, August 18 - 20.

Participants may try out dive gear while swimming or snorkeling up close to fishes and invertebrates, learning about sharks, underwater digital photography and spending the night in the Passages of the Deep tunnel. “You don’t have to be a dive expert to enjoy this weekend’s activities,” said Cindy Hanson, Public Relations Manager for the aquarium. “This year a sleepover and a special day dedicated to shark education is being added, making it a special weekend full of fascinating activities. This is a great family event, as Friday is Family Day, with a special course for everyone age eight and up.”

Numerous weekend activities also dot the aquarium’s event landscape, with almost all on the same day.

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com

Family Day happens Friday, August 18, offering a special course for snorkelers age eight and up. The course costs $50 and includes a three-hour educational program about marine life, safe snorkeling techniques, and a “keeper encounter” with an aquarist – all with Aquarium admission. Participants will be fitted with gear and snorkel in one of the Passages habitats to watch marine life up close. To register for a snorkel program, contact Vallorie Hodges at (541) 867-3474 ext 5302.

Also that day, there’s an Underwater Photography Course - an underwater digital photography course for advanced divers. This is an opportunity for underwater photographers to improve their skills learn basic underwater photography skills using a variety of digital cameras with industry professionals from Optiquatics. The course is $100 ($85 for Aquarium members).

DIVE INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES

THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years, The Tides has been a favorite of Seaside visitors. History meets modern luxury here. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Find suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bedroom family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. There are wonderful oceanview cottages that sleep anywhere from two to eight people, with two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens.
Meanwhile, the heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds with picnic tables and location at the quiet southern end of Seaside make for some memorable means of play and repose. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com
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Day of the Shark happens on August 18 as well, a special day dedicated to shark education. “The Day of the Shark” will feature information stations and a special shark dissection presented by Aquarium educators. This is free with admission.

On Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20, it’s “Demo Dive.” Here, divers can try out dive gear and dry suits. Cost of a Demo Dive is $35 per person per dive and includes admission to the Aquarium. Participating snorkelers and divers receive a free DUI Test Diver Hat, barbecue lunch, and raffle prizes. A Saturday night dinner and program are available for an additional fee and must be booked in advance. Tickets available for courses and demo dives are limited. Divers may pre-register through the following DUI dealers: Steve’s Scuba, Portland: 503-652-8860, Hydrosports, Salem: 503-304-5383, Beneath the Waves, Vancouver, WA: 360-546-1494, Scuba Outfitters, Salem: 503-566-7400, Sunset Sports, North Bend: 541-756-dive.

On Saturday, August 19, it’s an Aquarium Sleepover. A Sleepover in the Aquarium’s Passages of the Deep tunnel has been added to this year’s event, offering a chance to sleep inside the tunnel and observe nocturnal behaviors. The package includes Sleepover, Demo Dive and Saturday night dinner and program plus continental breakfast Sunday morning for $105. Non-divers pay $70 (Aquarium members receive a $10 discount).

Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778.

Snorkelers and divers participating in the weekend will immerse themselves in one of the Passages of the Deep locations, depending on their experience and interest. Halibut Flats will be the primary dive location. The 300,000-gallon ocean exhibit features halibut, yelloweye rockfish, starry flounder, cabezon, lingcod, longnose, starry, and big skates. Divers may also dive in Orford Reef, the Aquarium’s 200,000 gallon exhibit, and home to rockfish, wolf eels, striped perch, invertebrates and a forest of sea kelp. The Shark Observation Pool will be a third location for divers, and features juvenile sharks and other open sea marine life as well as an excellent view of the Open Sea exhibit with sharks, California bat rays, yellow tail jacks and salmon gliding by the observation area.

Oregon Coast Aquarium. 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport. (541) 867-3474. www.aquarium.org.

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In Awe of AstoriaASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history
Serenity in SeasideSEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
Cavort in Cannon BeachCANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca
Annihilating  Beauty of Nehalem BayNEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway
Time Trip Around Tillamook BayTILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
Triple the Pleasure in 3 CapesTHREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City
Lovely Lincoln CityLINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
Divine Depoe BayDEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
Nature in NewportNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
Staggering Seal RockWALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks
Aargh, there's no alliteration with Yachats - but it IS unbelievableYACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
Unsurpassable Upper LaneUPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders
Fine Times in FlorenceFLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

 

 

 

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