Museum Group Visit

We discount the price, not the experience!


Discover the fascinating world of offshore drilling at the unique Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum! Step aboard a retired jack-up rig and explore the oil and gas industry at your own pace through our self-guided exhibits about 1.5 hours to complete.


The Ocean Star is retired jack-up drilling rig that operated in the Gulf of Mexico from 1969 to 1984 and drilled over 200 wells during that timeframe. In 1995, the Energy Education Foundation purchased the Ocean Star, and after lengthy refurbishment, opened it as a museum in 1997.


Visit us daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (last ticket at 4 PM). We offer great group discounts for educational, youth, senior, adult/college, and military groups. Enhance your visit with an audio guide or an add-on activity.


Individuals and families are welcome anytime – no reservations needed! For large groups (student field trips, scouts, corporate visits, etc.), please submit a Group Request Form.


  1. Gather your group for a discount rate. To be eligible the group must purchase a minimum of 25 tickets.
  2. Place your order. Submit the Group Request Form online here.
  3. Wait for confirmation. The Museum Manger will contact you within 7-10 business days to complete your booking.
  4. Arrive at Ocean Star Museum! Be ready to enjoy a day of exploring, education and fun!


The reservations office hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm excluding holidays. 


*Note: All Field Trip Programs require a 2-week notice. Inquires made within a 2-week time period may not be fulfilled.


Filling out this form does not indicate your Group is scheduled, you will receive additional information provided in the email.


Questions? Email Caitlyn Clarke, Museum Manager cclarke@energyeducation.org or call 346-409-7136.

Admission Regular Group 25+
Educational (K-12) $8 $6
Educational Chaperone/Teacher $8
Youth (7-18) $6 $6
Senior $10 $8
Adult/College $12 $10
Military $8
Book Your Group!

  • Educational Tours/Field Trips

    Educational tours are available for groups of students (K-12) that are organized through a school, home school, scout troop, or similar program. These tours are guided by museum staff at no additional charge and are available Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Educational tours typically last about 1 ½ hours. An appropriate ratio of teachers and bus drivers are admitted free, and chaperones with the group receive a reduced adult rate. All tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance, and the payment must be made in one transaction in order to receive the special group rate.


    Student Rate $6/person                                       Chaperone Rate $8/person

  • Tour + Activity Program

    If your educational group has 30 people or less and wants to spend more time at the museum (about two hours), we can add an activity to the end of the guided tour. We have a variety of activities available and will be happy to discuss options at the time of booking. These activities are also described in the “See, Hear, Do” publication available for download.


    Student Rate $8/person                                       Chaperone Rate $10/person

  • Adult Groups

    Adult groups are eligible to receive a reduced rate when there are 25 people or more. The museum is designed to be a self-guided facility, and groups can visit at their leisure after an introduction and film. For a more in-depth experience, we can provide an audio tour system that consists of more than two hours of information recorded from a variety of museum, engineering, and oilfield professionals.  The cost is $5 in addition to admission, and the audio tour is available in English, Spanish and French. To receive the special group rate or reserve audio units, the payment must be made in one transaction and the tour must be booked at least two weeks in advance.


    24 adults or less – $12/person                                       25 adults or more – $10/person

  • Senior Groups

    Senior rates are available for those aged 55 and older, and groups of 25 people or more are eligible to receive a reduced group rate. The museum is designed to be a self-guided facility, and groups can visit at their leisure after an introduction and film. For a more in-depth experience, we can provide an audio tour system that consists of more than two hours of information recorded from a variety of museum, engineering, and oilfield professionals. The cost is $5 in addition to admission, and the audio tour is available in English, Spanish and French. To receive the special group rate or reserve audio units, the payment must be made in one transaction and the tour must be booked at least two weeks in advance.


    24 seniors or less = $10/person                                       25 seniors or more = $8/person

Museum Tour FAQs

  • 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 student tour can last anywhere from 1 hour to 1 ½ hours. Group size and interest can dictate the length of the tour. The audio guided tour contains more than two hours of recorded information and visitors can decide how much they want to listen to in a free roaming situation.

  • 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 30 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, ensuring a comfortable visit regardless of the weather. However, if it rains or in the case of inclement weather, the exterior areas of the rig will be closed to visitors for safety reasons.


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


    Phone: 409.766.7827

    Email: museum@energyeducation.org