Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pmThe USCG Narwhal is Back! FREE TOURS ALL DAY! Free tours from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Ocean Institute Maddie James Seaside Learning Center and Historical Wharf. Tour a USCG ship - Meet the officers and crew of the NARWHAL. Visit the USCG Auxiliary Booth - meet local members - learn about joining. The Auxiliary […]
Ocean Institute Invites Community to Celebrate Earth Day with Beach Cleanup Initiative In honor of Earth Day 2024, Ocean Institute is delighted to extend an invitation to the community, providing complimentary rentals of our trash pickup tools, empowering individuals to actively participate in the preservation of our precious planet. Following your cleanup efforts, enjoy a […]
Friday MAY 3 10am - 6pmSaturday MAY 4 9am - 8pmSunday MAY 5 9am - 5pm2024 Mermaid Market Hosted at Ocean Institute! "Mermade Market is a hand curated marketplace with a mission to bring incredible finds from amazing creators to our customers! Our vision is to bring together likeminded lovers of shopping small and thinking […]
Squid DissectionSquid DissectionAdd-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 exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long. Dissections will occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm. Add-on Price: […]
Squid DissectionSquid DissectionAdd-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 exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long. Dissections will occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm. Add-on Price: […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium TourBehind the Scenes Aquarium TourHave 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 […]
Homeschool DayOcean Institute Homeschool dayThis special weekday event is designed for homeschool families looking for an amazing field trip! This event will be similar to our weekend general admission hours, but with even more educational activities! This month's theme is the California Coastline! Your ticket includes access to the following activities: Native Plant Activity: Come […]
Mother's Day Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute!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 […]
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 of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes. Light snacks & refreshments available […]
Junior NaturalistsJunior Naturalists Calling all Junior Naturalists! Join us for this "Mommy & Me" style program dedicated to exploring your world through song, movement, and your senses. Enjoy new activities each session & expand into a new animal every month! *Please note that parents must participate and attend with their child. This is a "Mommy […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute!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 […]
Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission! 10:00AM – 3:00PMOcean 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 […]