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Public Visitation

Hours Today: Closed

Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop

Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:00pm

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Ocean Institute
Donate

Public Visitation

Hours Today: Closed

Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop

Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:00pm

12 events found.

Events

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  • December 2026

  • Sat 5
    A juvenile horn shark

    Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour

    December 5 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour

    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...

  • Sun 6

    Community Beach Cleanup – Stand Up to Trash

    Featured December 6 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am Community Beach Cleanup – Stand Up to Trash

    Community Beach Cleanup in partnership with Stand Up to Trash Join us for a day of fun on the water, beach and surrounding areas to cleanup our natural world.  New...

  • Sun 6

    Whale and Marine Life Tour

    December 6 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm 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...

  • Sun 6
    A family at the shark touch tank

    General Admission

    December 6 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm General Admission

    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...

  • Sun 6

    Squid Dissections

    December 6 @ 10:30 am - 1:30 pm 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...

  • Sun 6

    Sea Star Feeding

    December 6 @ 12:00 pm - 12:35 pm 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...

  • Sun 6

    Tidepool Hike

    December 6 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Tide Pool 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...

  • Sun 6
    A juvenile horn shark

    Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour

    December 6 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour

    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...

  • Fri 11

    R/V Sea Explorer Parade of Lights Cruise 2026

    Featured December 11 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm R/V Sea Explorer Parade of Lights Cruise 2026

    Experience the parade from the water! Book a ticket on the R/V Sea Explorer for a festive holiday cruise around the beautiful Dana Point Harbor during the annual Parade of Lights! Desserts are included in the ticket....

  • Fri 11

    Parade of Lights Viewing Party 2026

    Featured December 11 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Parade of Lights Viewing Party 2026

    Enjoy the holidays with the Ocean Institute! Join us at our Parade of Lights Viewing Party for the 51st annual Dana Point Harbor Parade of Lights. This year’s Parade of...

  • Fri 11

    Parade of Lights Premier Viewing 2026

    Featured December 11 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Parade of Lights Premier Viewing 2026

    Skip the crowd with this premier viewing location! Small-scale experience with upscale viewing from our beautiful Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Historical Wharf that sits over the water. You will...

  • Sat 12

    R/V Sea Explorer Parade of Lights Cruise 2026

    Featured December 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm R/V Sea Explorer Parade of Lights Cruise 2026

    Experience the parade from the water! Book a ticket on the R/V Sea Explorer for a festive holiday cruise around the beautiful Dana Point Harbor during the annual Parade of Lights! Desserts are included in the ticket....

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MISSION STATEMENT:

USING THE OCEAN AS OUR CLASSROOM, WE INSPIRE CHILDREN TO LEARN.

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  • Visit
    • Buy Tickets
    • Become a Member
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Private Tours
    • Summer Camp
  • Learn
    • Field Trips
    • Homeschool Days
    • Tiny Tots
    • Teen Programs
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      • Teen Conferences
    • Scout Badge Programs
  • Give
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Memberships
    • Sponsors and Partners
    • Adopt-A-Class
  • Events
    • Host an Event
      • Venue Rental
      • Kid’s Birthday Parties
    • Distinguished Speaker Series
    • Spooky Seas
    • Harbor Hayrides
    • Parade of Lights
    • Gala By the Sea
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Policies
    • Our Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers and Values
  • Calendar
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