Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pmExplore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from one of our expert Naturalists. All experience levels are welcome. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us for special admission hours every Tuesday evening June - August6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Take a deep dive and explore our local sharks and their surrounding environments at Sharks After Dark! Discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity. Using a blacklight discover more […]
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 […]
OCEAN INSTITUTE AND MUSIC PRESERVES PRESENTSUMMER JAMS CONCERT SERIES Come celebrate and support two local non-profits with an intimate concert, artist interview, beer, wine, and food! The Summer Jams Concert Series is a family-friendly three-part series that takes you behind the music with an exclusive artist interview and intimate concert by the sea. Tickets will also […]
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from one of our expert Naturalists. All experience levels are welcome. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship 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 tallship. Must be 4 y.o or older […]
The Ocean Institute and three local diving organizations are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the first-ever International Scuba Day on Aug. 6, 2023, by holding a “Clean the Reef” event that will meet up at the Native Plant Garden behind the Ocean Institute.
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from one of our expert Naturalists. All experience levels are welcome. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us for special admission hours every Tuesday evening June - August6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Take a deep dive and explore our local sharks and their surrounding environments at Sharks After Dark! Discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity. Using a blacklight discover more […]
Friday, August 11 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Featured Film: Humpback Whales All movies are educational films by Greg MacGillivray. Cozy up on the waterfront in Dana Point Harbor for a family-fun movie, sea shanties, and more!We will kick off the event with some crowd-favorite sea shanties provided by Queen Anne’s Blouse Pirate Band onboard […]
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from one of our expert Naturalists. All experience levels are welcome. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
Community Beach Cleanup in partnership with Join us for a day of fun on the water, beach and surrounding areas to cleanup our natural world. New theme every month with a guest speaker on the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Historical Wharf 9:00am-11:00am Beach Cleanup and Lunch & Learn 9:00am-10:30am Beach Cleanup 10:30am Free Lunch & […]