The standard birthday package includes up to 35 guests, including the birthday child(ren) and their immediate family. The deluxe party package includes up to 50 guests, including the birthday child(ren) and their immediate family. 

You can also add up to 10 additional guests for $15 a person.

If you’re looking for a larger party, please inquire about our event rentals via events@oceaninstitute.org

You are welcome to bring the following items

• Centerpieces
• Banners
• Wall décor
• Tablecloths
• Party blowers
• Party hats

We DO NOT allow the following decorations/party favors.

• Balloons
• Confetti
• Streamers
• Bubbles
• Candles or any form of fire
• Pinatas

These items are prohibited at our facility due to their potential environmental impact on local marine life, including organisms in our facility aquaria.

Your birthday package includes five tables and 25 chairs that our staff set-up for you before you arrive the morning of your party.

Our tables measure 6’ x 2.5’.

If you would like to add more tables and chairs than the amount provided in the package, there will be a $200 service fee.

You are responsible for setting up the birthday space and cleaning it up, with some assistance from your party host. Your birthday package includes 30 minutes of set-up before your party start time and 30 minutes of clean-up afterwards.

You can purchase an add-on for 30 extra minutes of set-up time for a $50 fee, but this must be discussed with the Ocean Institute coordinator at least 2 weeks in advance.

We provide a broom and dustpan for your clean-up and do require that the birthday space looks as it did when you arrived.

We will provide a large trash and recycling bin for your party that you and your guests are welcome to use.

We ask that you please ensure all trash and recyclable items are placed in their designated bins by the end of your party. Because we are an ocean conservation minded facility, we want to make sure that no trash enters the nearby ocean, our lab spaces that we share with marine life, or anywhere else except a trash bin.

At the conclusion of your party your birthday host will empty the trash and recycling bin for you.

 If your birthday party is on our Maritime Wharf, we can move your party inside.

You will still have a private room and your private birthday host.

If your birthday party is in the Surf Deck space, weather will not affect it and your party will continue as normal.

The goody bags are canvas drawstring bags featuring the Ocean Institute logo (subject to availability). Included inside are an ocean-themed comic book, an Ocean Institute pencil, and ocean-themed party favors such as erasers, finger puppets, stickers, etc.

Ocean Institute does not provide food or drink with our party packages. You are welcome to bring in your own food or hire a caterer. A list of preferred caterers will be provided upon request; but you may choose any caterer you wish. 

Please note, alcohol cannot be served with our kid’s party packages. If you would like to have alcohol at your party, please enquire about an event rental.

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide discounts for members on our party packages or event rentals. Please see our Membership page for more information on member benefits. 

For your 30 minute themed activity, you can choose between a private touch tank or a sail raise.

The private touch tank includes exclusive access to one of our sea star touch tanks in our Sahm Marine Learning Center, along with one of our knowledgable instructors to teach you all about the sea stars, snails, urchins, and other amazing creatures in the tank.

The sail raise takes place on the Maritime Wharf with a life-size model of a sail. One of our maritime instructors will guide you through the process of raising and lowering the sail and educate you on the lives of sail0rs in the 1800s.

If you would like to reschedule your party, there is a transfer fee of 3% of the total party cost. All schedule requests should be emailed to events@oceaninstitute.org.