South Coast Center

HomeFamily FunSouth Coast Center

LOCATION

12 Broad Street
Westerly, R.I. 02891

ADMISSION

Free
Donations Appreciated

HOURS

Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hours are dependent on volunteer availability and subject to change. Please call ahead before planning your trip!

CONTACT

(401) 315-2709

PARKING

Street parking is available in Westerly

The South Coast Center

South County Coastkeeper shows young visitors a spider crab.
South County Coastkeeper David Prescott shows young visitors a spider crab.

The South Coast of Rhode Island is home to some of the most diverse and ecologically important habitats and marine creatures. Our South Coast Center in Westerly invites visitors to learn about these amazing animals and the rivers, bays, and salt ponds that they call home.

The South Coast Center features an interactive touch tank, several aquaria highlighting native marine and freshwater species, a kid’s story time area, a craft table, a watershed map of the south coast, and much more to educate both children and adults.

Admission to the South Coast Center is free, though donations are appreciated and support the work of the South County Coastkeeper and Save The Bay’s efforts along Rhode Island’s southern coast to protect our invaluable local waters and ecologically significant habitats for future stewards.

Our History in Westerly

Save The Bay officially established their presence in downtown Westerly in 2007 with support from the Forrest and Frances Lattner Foundation. Since that time, support from the Foundation and other local members, donors, and partners has helped Save The Bay to continue its work advocating for water quality improvements in local waters, restoring native habitats, and educating our youth about marine and coastal science.

 

Groups and Afterschool Programs

For pricing and details on a custom experience for your school group, scout troop or afterschool program, call 401-272-2540 x133.

*Please note:  Be sure to access the Johnson & Wales University Harborside Campus through the main entrance on Harborside Blvd. Your GPS may suggest taking Ernest Street to JWU’s Shipyard Street entrance, but that route requires a key card for entry.  

From Route I-95 North or South, take Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue). Head downhill on Thurbers Avenue to US Route 1A (Allens Avenue). Turn right onto Allens Ave. Continue southbound on Allens Ave. into Cranston, where Allens Ave. becomes Narragansett Blvd. Turn left onto Harborside Blvd. at the traffic light by the Shell gas station. Follow Harborside Blvd. through the Johnson & Wales Harborside Campus. At the end of Harborside Blvd., turn right onto Save The Bay Drive. Save The Bay Drive becomes a circular, one-way roadway as you approach the Bay Center. Parking is available in four guest lots after you pass the main building. Enter the building through the main entrance.

Map

March 1, 2021

Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Members, 

At this time, Save The Bay’s facilities in Providence, Newport and Westerly remain closed to the public in response to COVID-19.

Save The Bay’s Seal Tours resume March 6, 2021, and we will hold outdoor public programs when Rhode Island’s COVID-19 state positivity rate is at or below 5%. In accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health travel guidelines, guests from states identified with a positivity rate of 5% or higher will not be able to join our programs. A complete list of our Seal Tour COVID-19 procedures and policies is available on our Seal Tour page. 

Save The Bay is offering limited volunteer and internship opportunities with new policies and procedures for the health and safety of all involved.

Our staff remains dedicated to working on our mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay from home. As always, we are accessible via email (listed on our website), or on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.