Public Visitation
Hours Today: Closed
Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm
Explore the ocean with us! Join our semi-private guided snorkel tours and explore the stunning marine life of Shaw’s Cove! Meet at the beach where your expert guide will lead you through Southern California’s beautiful kelp forests. Enjoy 45 minutes in the water as our guide introduces you to the beauty of Southern California’s kelp...
Calling all ocean explorers! Join us for this “Mommy & Me” style program dedicated to exploring your world through song, movement, and your senses. Enjoy new activities each session and a new animal every month! *Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend with their child. This is a “Mommy & Me” style class. ...
Explore the ocean with us! Join our semi-private guided snorkel tours and explore the stunning marine life of Shaw’s Cove! Meet at the beach where your expert guide will lead you through Southern California’s beautiful kelp forests. Enjoy 45 minutes in the water as our guide introduces you to the beauty of Southern California’s kelp...
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a two-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. One of our expert naturalists will teach you about...
Join our crew for an experience you will never forget. Your 2 and a 1/2 hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean lnstitute’s 65′ research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating blue and grey whales; large schools of playful dolphin; the impressive sunfish...
Ahoy mateys! Join pirate band, Queen Anne’s Blouse, on the Spirit of Dana Point as she sets out to sea! This is your opportunity to dress, talk, and sing like a pirate. Bring your family and friends and enjoy singing along to classic and original sea shanties based on our fascinating maritime history. Get an introduction to the...
Visit the United States Coast Guard ship, Narwhal! The Narwhal will be docked at the Ocean Institute for FREE public tours! Free to Attend! The Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be providing: Boating Safety Information: Demonstrations:
Engage with our immersive, hands-on exhibits and rotating themes! Our rotating themes allow visitors to keep coming back to discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and...
Visit the USCG Ship Narwhal! Come tour the US Coast Guard ship Narwhal while she is docked at the Ocean Institute, for one day only! Free to the public!
Add-on experience for General Admission! Dive into a hands-on experience suitable for all levels of curiosity with our squid dissections! Join our expert guides who will lead you through an...
General Admission Add-on Experience! Have you ever wanted to hand-feed a sea star? Join us for this interactive feeding experience at 12:00 pm where you can prepare their food alongside our staff and hand feed a sea star with this up-close encounter you won't forget! The sea star feeding is a two-part experience, the preparation...
Go behind the scenes with us! Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Ocean Institute? Join us on our immersive Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour...
