Discover the Mysteries from the Seashore to the Sea Floor at the International Mermaid Museum

Story by Anne Erickson | Video and Images by Capture.Share.Repeat

Along Highway 105 between Aberdeen and Westport is one of those roadside attractions that’s so beguiling you’ll be unable to resist. You’ll know you’re there when you see the massive siren sculpture beckoning.  Don’t fear, she isn’t drawing you to destruction on rocky shores. This mermaid will lure you into something far more fun than sirens of yore.

The International Mermaid Museum describes their mission as ‘dedicated to teaching ocean ecology from seashore to sea floor’ using mermaid mythology that’s common across all cultures. Here you’ll find denizens of the deep like Sedna - Inuit goddess of the sea. Tlanchana - a freshwater mermaid that hails from Central Mexico.  Even the ‘Moclips Mermaid’, from Washington’s coast. There are also plenty of pop-culture mermaids from the Starbucks siren to Disney’s Ariel. Glittery floors and deep blue walls make the museum feel like a plunge into a magical pool and each mythical being provides a deep dive into real-life ocean facts that are just as fascinating as the mermaid lore.

Sharing the property is Westport Winery Garden Resort, Ocean’s Daughter Distillery and Sea Glass Grill, making it a perfect stop for all things salty on your way to or from coastal beaches.

Since this museum opened in spring of 2021 it’s become the unofficial hangout of west coast mermaid pods - real people who sport colorful tails and take dips in chilly local waters and enchant us regular land-locked humans with their personas. Time your visit right and you’ll spot a real-life siren perched on the mermaid throne in the museum’s entrance. And no matter when you visit, you can try on a tail and become a mermaid for a moment.

To guarantee meeting up with a living, breathing mermaid at the International Mermaid Museum there’s no better time to visit than during the Mermaid Festival, which takes place from Saturday, April 6th through Sunday, April 14th this year. Many mermaids will make appearances, including Olive the Alchemist, founder of the Seattle Mermaid School, who will be on the Mermaid Throne inside the museum sharing with aspiring mer-folk everything from mermaid physicality to believability. Una the Mermaid will perform daily between the hours of 11am-4pm in an underwater tank, and Rachel the Sailing Siren and Fawn Destiny will thrill guests as they fire-dance! Visitors will be treated to aerial acrobat shows by Nick and Amanda from Vertical Axis, as well as a meet and greet with Crystal of Pacific NW Unicorns with her unicorns, Sky and Blue. Plan to grab a photo with these mythical creatures as you immerse yourself into mermaid lore.

The full schedule of events for the 2024 Mermaid Festival is shown at www.MermaidMuseum.org.

This one-of-a-kind non-profit museum is a creation of Washington’s coastal community. Folks from the area donated everything from shell collections to a WWII era diving helmet worn during the recovery effort after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Local artists made the many sculptures that adorn the grounds. And museum founder Kim Roberts, who also co-owns Westport Winery and the other businesses here with her husband Blain, has some mer-cred herself. She was one of the first women to break into Westport’s fishing industry, and she is an expert diver - she and her husband once owned Maui’s largest diving operation. Now she’s answering the call of a new siren song - helping people discover the wonders of our oceans through the magic of mermaids.

Guests looking for lodging in unforgettable Grays Harbor can find many different options - from camping to condos - HERE.

The International Mermaid Museum is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, admission is $3 per person, kids 5 and under are free. 

CLICK HERE to visit the Mermaid Museum!