Tour Information

We are delighted that you are interested in visiting the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum.  Our one-of-a-kind facility gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry, all while being aboard a retired jack-up drilling rig. 

The museum is a self-guided facility.  Reservations are not required for individuals or family groups.  Tickets can be purchased upon arrival in our Gift Shop.  The following information applies to large groups, either from corporate companies, church groups, or any type of youth group (school field trips, bible school groups, or scout troops), planning to visit the museum.

Click the links below to learn more about planning a visit.

• Group Rates
• Reservations & Confirmation
• Payments, Cancellations & Changes
• Museum Manners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Teacher Grab Bag
• For More Information 

Group Rates

Adult Tours

Adult tours are available at reduced rates for groups of 25 or more. The museum is a self-guided facility, and groups can visit at their leisure after an introduction and film.  A museum guide may be arranged for an additional fee.  To receive the special group rate, the payment must be made in one transaction and the tour must be booked at least two weeks in advance. 

Adult $6.00	Museum Guide Fee $30.00
Minimum 15 people in group to request guide services.

Senior Tours

Senior tours are available to groups of 25 or more aged 55 and older. The museum is a self-guided facility, and groups can visit at their leisure after an introduction and film.  To receive the special group rate, the payment must be made in one transaction and the tour must be booked at least two weeks in advance. A museum guide may be arranged for an additional fee. 

Educational Student Tours

Education tours are available to students aged 7-18, organized through a school, home school, scouts, or similar program.  Group tours are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  All tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.  An appropriate ratio of teachers and bus drivers are admitted free, and chaperones with the group receive a reduced adult rate.  Museum staff guides the groups at no additional charge.  To receive the special group rate, the payment must be made in one transaction.

Educational Student Tours + Activity

If your group is small (30 or fewer people) and has more time to spend (about two hours), we can add an activity to the tour.  We have a variety of activities available (scavenger hunt, timeline quiz, etc.) and will be happy to discuss options at the time of booking.

Student $5.00

Chaperone $6.00

Reservations & Confirmation

For reservations, please contact Arminda Scarbrough, Museum Programs Manager.

Phone: 409/766-STAR (7827)
Email: osprograms@aol.com 

Group tours are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.   

1. All tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. 
2. Have the following information ready when you call:
3. Name, address, and telephone number of school or group
4. Contact person for group and email, if available
5. Grade level / age
6. Number of students / participants attending
7. Number of teachers and/or chaperones attending
8. Date and time of visit
9. Museum Guide Request (Adult & Senior tours only) 
10. You will receive a confirmation once your reservation has been processed. 

Payments, Cancellations & Changes

Your payment is due upon arrival.  Please do not mail payment in advance.   

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.   

Reservations can be cancelled prior to the arrival date without penalty.  Contact the museum to cancel your visit. 

Any changes to your reservation, i.e. group size, arrival date or time, need to be made as soon as possible.  We will do our best to accommodate your change.   

Museum Manners

Although the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum was a working drilling rig, it is now a public museum and museum manners apply.  You do not need a hard hat on your visit, but there are restricted areas.  Due to the  nature of the facility, it is important that visitors do not run, jump, climb, or cross designated barriers at any time.  Our institution places a priority on safety, and inappropriate behavior is an extreme liability not only to visitors but to our facility and collection items as well. Any group participants displaying unacceptable behavior may be asked to leave.  Refunds will not be granted.

Food, drinks, gum, and candy are not allowed in the museum. 

Frequently Asked Questions

        Where do I park?

Anywhere you can find a parking space!  We do not control any of the parking around the museum.  There are several paid parking lots within walking distance of the museum, as well as parallel parking in the downtown Strand district.  Be prepared to pay between $3.00 and $10.00 for parking in the downtown Strand district.  Buses may unload near our entrance, but are not allowed to remain on the pier.  Some of the paid parking lots are able to accommodate buses.   

        Do I have to ride a boat?

No, we have a pedestrian bridge that takes you from our gift shop to the rig.   

         How long does a tour last?

A typical guided tour can last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 ½ hours.  Group interest can dictate the length of the tour.                     

What do we see on the tour?

Your visit will start with a short introductory video.  From there you will visit the three levels of the museum, featuring exhibits and models that explain offshore drilling and production.  Additionally, you will be able to tour two exterior areas of the drilling rig.   

        How large can our group be?

One guide can easily handle a group of 35 people.  If group size reaches 40, we will split the group into smaller numbers.  The smaller groups will tour the museum simultaneously.  Logistically, the largest group size our museum can accommodate simultaneously is 100 people.   

        What about lunch?

We do not have the facilities for your group to have lunch aboard the rig.  There are several restaurants within walking distance of the museum.  There is also a grassy area on the pier for picnic lunches, weather permitting.   

        What if it rains?

The majority of our site is indoors or covered.  If there is inclement weather, the group can choose not visit the exterior areas of the rig.                         

Teacher Grab Bags

For your convenience prepackaged grab bags are available for advance purchase by reserved group tours.  Grab bags are filled with fun souvenirs and activities and with prices as low a $1.00 each they are very affordable.  To make your purchase even easier we have included sales tax in the posted prices. Grab bags are only for youth groups that have a program reservation at the Ocean Star.  Although teachers receive a 10% discount on purchases, discounts do not apply to grab bag purchases.  Please submit your class order seven days prior to your reservation. 

View Grab Bag Gift Items | Order Form

For More Information

If you have any questions or would like more information about planning your visit, please contact:

Arminda Scarbrough, Museum Programs Manager
Phone: 409/766-7827
Email: osprograms@aol.com