Guided Snorkel Tour
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...
Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pm
Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:00pm
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...
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...
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 activities that indulge curiosity.Explore marine mammal artifacts, interactive exhibits, and local aquaria. Interact with a shark and ray touch and an intertidal touch tank.Bring history...
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 exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long. Every dissector requires their own ticket and may be accompanied by 1 additional person. Each...
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 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...
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. ...
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. ...
Join us aboard R/V Sea Explorer for a spook-tacular harbor cruise! Enjoy apple cider, temporary tattoos, and activities all while cruising the beautiful Dana Point Harbor. Drinks will be availble...
Celebrate the spooktacular season with Spooky Seas! Back this year with new family friendly frights, from bioluminescence laser tag to the mad scientist laboratory, there’s something fun for the whole family to enjoy! Bats & ghouls – come in costume to participate in our costume contest and enjoy food, drinks, and alcoholic drinks available for...
Join us aboard R/V Sea Explorer for a spook-tacular harbor cruise! Enjoy apple cider, temporary tattoos, and activities all while cruising the beautiful Dana Point Harbor. Drinks will be availble...
Join us aboard R/V Sea Explorer for a spook-tacular harbor cruise! Enjoy apple cider, temporary tattoos, and activities all while cruising the beautiful Dana Point Harbor. Drinks will be availble...