Annual Membership
When you choose to become a member of the Ocean Institute, you’re choosing to gain access to a world of wonder!
Your membership supports the care of our marine life, operational needs, and overall mission of Ocean Institute. Thank you for being a key partner in our mission to explore, educate, and protect our oceans.
Membership Options
All Ocean Institute Memberships are non-refundable.
Membership benefits updated: March 2025
Contact us: 949-496-2274 or guestservices@oceaninstitute.org
Sea Star
- Annual Fee: $250
- Includes 2 named adults and children in the household.
Teacher Membership
- FREE!
- 1 named adult and 1 unnamed guest in the household.
Jr. Explorer (Youth)
- Annual Fee: $50
- Youth Membership- 14 y.o or younger
- 1 named child and 1 unnamed adult.
Individual
- Annual Fee: $100
- 1 named adult and 1 unnamed guest in the household.
Family
- Annual Fee: $150
- 2 named adults and children in the household.
Senior
- Annual Fee: $175
- 1 named adult 55+, and 1 unnamed guest.
Captain’s Compass
- Annual Fee: $400
- 2 named adults and 4 unnamed household guests.
Sealife Sponsor
- Annual Fee: $650
- 2 named adults and 6 unnamed household guests.
Ocean Advocate
- Annual Fee: $1,500
- 2 named adults and 8 unnamed household guests.
Gift a Membership
Experience the wonder of the ocean with a gift membership at Ocean Institute!
Perfect for ocean enthusiasts and families, this membership provides exclusive access to engaging marine education programs, captivating exhibits, and exciting events.
Dive into a world of marine science, exploration, and maritime history while supporting the Ocean Institute’s mission.
Annual Whale Watching Pass
Indulge your passion for the ocean with our Annual Whale Watching Pass, created for ocean enthusiasts. This pass includes 14 tickets that can be used at your convenience over 12 months, providing multiple opportunities to embark on our unforgettable Whale and Marine Life Tours. Dive into the wonders of the sea and create lasting memories with this flexible and exciting pass.
$350 (Valued at $500)
F. A. Q.
There are several ways to become a member or renew a membership:
- In-person or Online
- Renewal: Existing members enter your information in the renewal areas so we can link to your account.
- New members follow the prompt during checkout to purchase a membership.
- Your membership begins immediately at the time of purchase. Recipients of a Gift Membership can redeem their membership whenever they’re ready.
- In-person or online/phone/email purchases or renews, a mobile membership card (with member number), and instructions for visiting the Ocean Institute will be sent by email.
- All member levels receive FREE year-round General Admission. No reservations are required for members, but you can pre-reserve if you want to.
- Upon arrival, present your digital member card at our front desk to enjoy your complimentary admission!
- Our higher levels of membership have different entitlements available for members to use. To claim those tickets log into your member portal here, visit your account, click memberships and entitlements will be at the bottom. You can also see the instructions further down on this page under “Navigating the Member Portal”.
- If entitlements are not listed either your membership does not have ticket entitlements, you have used all your entitlements for the membership year, or the tickets for the event are not available yet.
- If you believe there is an error, please contact guest services at 949-496-2274 or guestservices@oceaninstitute.org.
To allow us to be eco-conscious and sustainable, membership cards and all tickets are emailed digitally.
The Unnamed Guest option gives you the flexibility to host a different person with you on each visit for the duration of your membership. Double-check your membership to see if you are allowed unnamed guests.
Memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
