Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pm ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm
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General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Tidepool Hike
Explore the world between the tides!Join the Ocean Institute for a tidepool hike led by one of our expert naturalists. The hike will take us into the rocky Marine Protected […]
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Ocean Institute? Join us on our immersive Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour to learn all about what it takes to run an aquarium! This tour takes you beyond the eyes of the public to our husbandry prep kitchen, the quarantine lab, and the […]
Sunset Sail
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tall ship. During the summer, enjoy […]
Sea Shanty Sunday
Ahoy mateys! You are invited to sing sea shanties with the pirate band, Queen Anne's Blouse, on the Spirit of Dana Point docked at Ocean Institute’s Maritime Village! 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 […]
Adventure Sail
Set sail with OI for an unforgettable family adventure! Start with a muster and dive into hands-on activities like raising sail, navigation, helmsmanship, and bow watch. Enjoy a thrilling demonstration of the ship’s cannon as our crew showcases naval gunnery. This exciting program is perfect for families looking to create lasting memories on the open […]
Featured
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Rivian South Coast Theater 162 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CAOcean Institute is thrilled to partner with Rivian during their Toddler Time Wednesdays at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach! Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian is […]
Featured
Distinguished Speaker Series: Johanna Gutleben
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the […]