ABOUT OCEAN INSTITUTE
Welcome!
The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth marine science and maritime history programs.
The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based field trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.
Mission Statement
Using the ocean as our classroom, we inspire children to learn.
Ocean Institute Town Hall: A Seaside Chat
Ocean Institute | Samueli Conference Center
Ocean Institute was proud to host our first town hall in early December 2023. If you miss it no worries! You can watch the recording below.
Town Hall: Meet our Board and President with a panel discussion that talks about where we are at, our plans for the future, and some exciting announcements!
Press & Media
Ocean Education Center – comprised of the Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center, At Sea Learning Center, the Samueli Conference Center and Courtyard, the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, and our research vessel the R/V Sea Explorer. Teaching stations include marine life tanks, wet-tables with video-microscopes, a wave tank, a ROV testing tank, and a sleeping deck with sweeping ocean views.
Maritime Center – a hands-on teaching facility built for exploration of maritime history, including our Maddie James Historical Maritime Wharf, the Maritime Barn, and our historical tall ship the Spirit of Dana Point.
Annual Students Served: ~15,000
Staff: 115 (full and part-time)
Volunteers: 100
By entering, you consent to your voice and photography or video of you, including accompanying children, to be used without compensation in any and all media and marketing materials, and you release Ocean Institute from any liability of usage.
Taking photos or video for editorial purposes
Anyone can take photos and video for their personal use only. Media should contact the Marketing department in advance to arrange to shoot photos and videos that will be used with articles or media that include Ocean Institute.
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes, including for stock images, commercial products and other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior authorization from the Marketing department. If permission is granted, payment of location fee may be involved, depending on the scope of the project.
Location filming/photography
We consider each location request on an individual basis, and fees may be charged for shooting. Requests can be accommodated only if they do not conflict with scheduled events.
Press Release Archive
- Founder’s Day Celebrates Stan Cummings’ Legacy on August 20, 2023
- Ocean Institute & RIFFE International Partner Up to spread awareness of Ocean Safety, Aug.2023
- Ocean Institute and Lost Winds Dive Shop celebrate the First International SCUBA Day with MPA cleanup, Aug. 2023
- Ocearch Fishing Master, Captain Brett McBride to Discuss Game- Changing Research on Great White Sharks as Ocean Institute’s August Distinguished Speaker, Aug. 2023
- Oriana Poindexter, Marine Scientist, Photographer, and Artists is Ocean Insitute’s July Distinguished Speaker 2023
- Ocean Institute and Music Preserves Announces Summer Jams Concert Series 2023
OI in the News
- Dana Point Times | August 8, 2023 3:16PM | Ocean Institute to Host Inaugural Sea Safety Summit
- Orange County Register | August 7, 2023 at 5:12 p.m.| Divers Scour Reef Behind Ocean Institute In Recognition of International Scuba Day
- Dana Point Times | July 27, 2023 11:16AM | To Kelp: Divers To Clean Local Reefs on International SCUBA Day
- Dana Point Times |July 28, 2023 3:15AM | Ocean Institute Distinguished Speaker Series: Brett McBride
- Dana Point Times | July 7, 2023 3:14PM | Ocean Institute Brings Summer Movie Nights to the Harbor
- Dana Point Times Ocean Institute Articles Archive
Want to learn more about something you've read? Contact us through this form!
We invite you to explore the ocean’s underwater world and California’s fascinating maritime history through fun, interactive programs and family activities that indulge your ocean curiosity. We are open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, and on most business holidays, and offer our new exhibit the Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center Shark Exhibit, as well as a site-wide journey through the campus. Throughout the year we offer family programs, summer camps, cruises, tall ship sails, and community events including the annual Maritime Festival (formally the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival) and Festival of Whales.