Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pm
General Admission
August 31 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
An event every week that begins at 10:00 am on Sunday and Saturday, repeating until December 31, 2025
One event on January 20, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on February 14, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on February 17, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on April 7, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on April 8, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on April 9, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on April 10, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on April 11, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on May 26, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on July 3, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on September 1, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on November 10, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on November 11, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on November 14, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on November 26, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on November 28, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on December 22, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on December 23, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on December 26, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on December 29, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on December 30, 2025 at 10:00 am
One event on January 3, 2025 at 10:00 am
Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission!
10:00AM – 3:00PM
Ocean Institute’s general admission engages the public with our rotating monthly themes!
Our rotating monthly themes allow visitors to keep coming back to discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity.
Explore marine mammal artifacts, interactive exhibits rotating monthly, and local aquaria. Interact with a shark and ray touch tank, an intertidal touch tank, and a bubble tank.
Bring history to life and step back in time with a Sailor’s Life Tour onboard the deck of Spirit of Dana Point and a visit to our Maritime Village.
Elevate your experience! Select add-ons at checkout!
Squid Dissection: $5
Sea Star Feeding: $10
General Admission Pricing:
Adult: $15.00
Senior/Military: $10.00
(55+ y.o, Veteran, Active Military)
Child: $7.50
(19 months – 13 y.o)
Infant/Toddler: Free!
(0-18 months)
Tickets must be purchased for all individuals.
Ocean Institute Members receive complimentary year-round general admission!
Not a member? Click here to join today!
ABOUT: 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 Life Conservation Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science and Maritime History. 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.
