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Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pm
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2022 Festival of Whales
March 4, 2022 @ 4:45 pm - March 6, 2022 @ 3:00 pm
Dana Point Festival of Whales
Join us on March 4, 5 and 6, 2022 in the dolphin & whale watching capital of the world for the 51st annual Dana Point Festival of Whales.
Ocean Institute is excited to celebrate festival of whales with distiguished speakers, hands-on activities, whale watching and more!
SCHEDULE OF OCEAN INSTITUTE EVENTS
FRIDAY
4:45pm - Welcoming of the Whales Kickoff Ceremony and Reception
Welcoming of the Whales
The 51st Annual Festival of Whales will kick off with a sunset welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation and a surfers’ paddle out at the Marine Protected Area beach behind the Ocean Institute.
Following the beach ceremony, a reception with guest speakers will be held inside the Ocean Institute. Speakers will include an update about Dana Point’s World Cetacean Alliance designation as the first and only Whale Heritage Site in the Americas, and cetacean expert Dr. Ari Friedlaender,
The event will include food trucks, free non-alcoholic beverages, and the Ocean Institute’s free interactive educational activities and displays.
SATURDAY
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10:00am - 12:30pm - Whale and Marine Life Tour
Join the Ocean Institute’s marine educators in exploring the ocean from top to bottom, while searching for some of the world’s largest and smallest creatures during our 2.5-hour-long marine life exploration program.
First, learn how scientists identify the largest mammals on earth based on their unique characteristics by exploring our Marine Mammal Exhibit. Then, embark on the R/V Sea Explorer to test your new knowledge as we search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Lastly, assist the Ocean Institute staff in collecting samples of seafloor mud and the smallest organisms on earth — phytoplankton and zooplankton! We are pleased to provide the area’s only whale watching program that allows you to be a scientist for the day!
Ticket includes access to general admission for festival.
Price:
$40/person over 3 y.o
Click for tickets!
10:00am - 3:00pm - General Admission
Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences. From sounds of the sea, to a horn shark touch tank, intertidal touch tank, and artifact exploration.
Special Weekend Activities!
- Destination: Whale Fall
- Explore what happens after a whale dies and how it contributes to the ecosystem! You will pilot an ROV to see the different parts of a whale fall and learn about their important role.
- Whale Adaptations
- Learn about the wonders of whales from how they use blubber to stay warm to how some use echolocation to understand their surroundings. Whales have special adaptations to survive and you will get to try them out yourself!
- How do you measure up?
- We all know whales are big – but just how big? Compare your size to that of a whale and see just how impressive these giants are!
- Research Tag Station
- Learn from an Antarctic whale researcher how they tag whales for their research. Then create a tag craft of your own!
- Jr. Whale Researcher!
- Earn the mark of being a Jr. Whale Researcher by completing activities throughout the facility and earning your own special badge – inquire to learn more!
Ticket must be purchased for all individuals (adults and children).
Pricing:
Adults: $15.00
Seniors: $10.00
Kids: $7.50
Members receive free admission: use code WEEKEND plus member number for member discount (Example: Weekend1010010)
General Admission includes the following activities & more!
Click for tickets!
1:30pm - 4:00pm - Whale and Marine Life Tour
Join the Ocean Institute’s marine educators in exploring the ocean from top to bottom, while searching for some of the world’s largest and smallest creatures during our 2.5-hour-long marine life exploration program.
First, learn how scientists identify the largest mammals on earth based on their unique characteristics by exploring our Marine Mammal Exhibit. Then, embark on the R/V Sea Explorer to test your new knowledge as we search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Lastly, assist the Ocean Institute staff in collecting samples of seafloor mud and the smallest organisms on earth — phytoplankton and zooplankton! We are pleased to provide the area’s only whale watching program that allows you to be a scientist for the day!
Ticket includes access to general admission for festival.
Price:
$40/person over 3 y.o
Click for tickets!
4:00pm - 6:00pm - Distinguished Speaker Series: Ari Friedlaender
Ari is an ecologist with a primary interest in understanding the relationship between the foraging behavior of marine mammals and their prey. He works on a wide range of marine mammal species including baleen and toothed whales and dolphins across a range of geographic regions. Ari has long-term ecological research projects ongoing in Alaska, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Antarctica. He has helped in the development of tag technology and analytical and visualization tools to better understand the underwater movements and behaviors of marine mammals.
Pricing:
$15 – General
$10 – Sea Star and above members
Sea Star and above members: use coupon code speaker+member number (ex: speaker100101011)
Click for tickets!
SUNDAY
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9:00am - 11:00am - Stand up to Trash: Community Beach Clean-up
Stand Up to Trash Beach Cleanup
Check in at the front of the Ocean Institute to sign up and get supplies (bags, buckets and grabbers).
We encourage the “BYOB” philosophy (bring your own bucket or reusable bag, reusable gloves, water bottle or coffee cup) to help reduce any additional waste, but collection supplies will be available at check in.
Then you’re free to roam the beach, ocean or surrounding areas to clean on your own – or make it a fun group project with friends and family.
Pre-registration at www.standuptotrash.com is encouraged.
10:00am - 12:30pm - Whale and Marine Life Tour
Join the Ocean Institute’s marine educators in exploring the ocean from top to bottom, while searching for some of the world’s largest and smallest creatures during our 2.5-hour-long marine life exploration program.
First, learn how scientists identify the largest mammals on earth based on their unique characteristics by exploring our Marine Mammal Exhibit. Then, embark on the R/V Sea Explorer to test your new knowledge as we search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Lastly, assist the Ocean Institute staff in collecting samples of seafloor mud and the smallest organisms on earth — phytoplankton and zooplankton! We are pleased to provide the area’s only whale watching program that allows you to be a scientist for the day!
Ticket includes access to general admission for festival.
Price:
$40/person over 3 y.o
Click for tickets!
10:00am - 3:00pm - General Admission
Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences. From sounds of the sea, to a horn shark touch tank, intertidal touch tank, and artifact exploration.
Special Weekend Activities!
- Destination: Whale Fall
- Explore what happens after a whale dies and how it contributes to the ecosystem! You will pilot an ROV to see the different parts of a whale fall and learn about their important role.
- Whale Adaptations
- Learn about the wonders of whales from how they use blubber to stay warm to how some use echolocation to understand their surroundings. Whales have special adaptations to survive and you will get to try them out yourself!
- How do you measure up?
- We all know whales are big – but just how big? Compare your size to that of a whale and see just how impressive these giants are!
- Research Tag Station
- Learn from an Antarctic whale researcher how they tag whales for their research. Then create a tag craft of your own!
- Jr. Whale Researcher!
- Earn the mark of being a Jr. Whale Researcher by completing activities throughout the facility and earning your own special badge – inquire to learn more!
Ticket must be purchased for all individuals (adults and children).
Pricing:
Adults: $15.00
Seniors: $10.00
Kids: $7.50
Members receive free admission: use code WEEKEND plus member number for member discount (Example: Weekend1010010)
General Admission includes the following activities & more!
Click for tickets!
1:30pm - 4:00pm - Whale and Marine Life Tour
Join the Ocean Institute’s marine educators in exploring the ocean from top to bottom, while searching for some of the world’s largest and smallest creatures during our 2.5-hour-long marine life exploration program.
First, learn how scientists identify the largest mammals on earth based on their unique characteristics by exploring our Marine Mammal Exhibit. Then, embark on the R/V Sea Explorer to test your new knowledge as we search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Lastly, assist the Ocean Institute staff in collecting samples of seafloor mud and the smallest organisms on earth — phytoplankton and zooplankton! We are pleased to provide the area’s only whale watching program that allows you to be a scientist for the day!
Ticket includes access to general admission for festival.
Price:
$40/person over 3 y.o
Click for tickets!
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
WHALE AND MARINE LIFE TOUR
Join our crew for an experience you will never forget.
Your 2-1/2-hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean Institute’s 65’ research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating Blue whales; large schools of playful Dolphin; the impressive sunfish known as Mola; and sleek harbor seals and sea lions.
In addition, Ocean Institute’s professional naturalists are on hand to introduce you to the lifestyles of ocean creatures that frequent the waters off Dana Point. Hands-on activities include sorting through mud samples from the ocean floor, as well as trawling for Plankton.
Our cruises are safe and fun for the entire family, and everyone will learn something new about our oceans and the life within.
Price:
$40/person over 3 y.o
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER: ARI FRIEDLAENDER
Let’s Talk about Whales!
Join us on land for a light breakfast and a chance to learn more about shore finding, interact with marine mammal artifacts, and learn about the species that call our coastline home! This is perfect for families or those who’d prefer to keep both feet on steady ground.
Adults: $20
Kids: $15
Ticket includes access to general admission for festival.
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