Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pmWhale 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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 & […]
Explore the world between 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 Conservation Area […]
The Festival of Whales Foundation and Ocean Institute invite you to a sunset welcoming of the whales ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation out at the Marine Protected Area behind Ocean Institute. Following the beach ceremony, a reception will be held inside the Ocean Institute. Event festivities include food truck cuisine and drink […]
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 […]
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, […]
We are closed for General Admission. Please navigate back to our calendar for upcoming events.
GIRLS IN OCEAN SCIENCE CONFERENCE Saturday, March 16, 2024 7:45am - 3:30pm The Girls in Ocean Science Conference connects influential female scientists with the next generation of ocean ambassadors. Join […]