Public Visitation

Hours Today: Closed

Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop

Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pm

Merry Fishmas: Mermaid and Elf Show

Times: 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm Length: 30-minutes Join us for a musical sing-along show with a Mermaid from Sheroes Entertainment! Don’t miss out on this FINtastic experience.  Do you know how Santa delivers presents under the sea? Mermaid Cascade doesn’t either, but she wants to find out! Help her learn more as she explains what she does […]

General Admission

Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point

Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences. From squid dissections , sounds of the sea, to a horn shark touch tank, intertidal touch tank, and artifact exploration.Ticket must be purchased for all individuals (adults and children). Pricing Adults: $15.00 Seniors: $10.00 Kids: $7.50  Members receive free […]

Kayak Tours

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. Must be at least 7 years old to participate. Guests under 16 […]

Tide Pool Hike

Tide Pool HikesExplore 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 located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that […]

Tide Pool Hike

Tide Pool HikesExplore 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 located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that […]

Community Beach Clean-up

Looking to give back to the ocean and your community? In Partnership with StandUpTo Trash. Join us for a two-hour Beach Cleanup! Offered monthly with a rotating theme (America Recycles Day, Protecting California's Sharks, Marine Protected Areas, etc.). Check-in at Ocean Institute where Hot Cocoa and Coffee are available, courtesy of Coffee Importers. OI will provide your […]

Distinguished Speaker Series: David McGuire

Distinguished Speaker: David McGuire! Join us to explore California's coolest sharks with a presentation from marine biologist and director at Shark Stewards, David McGuire. He will be talking about local shark diversity, threats and global solutions to protect ocean health and sharks.Saturday, January 22nd 6:00pm - 8:00pm $15  - General $10 - Sea Star and above […]

Whale and Marine Life Tour

Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point

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 impressive sunfish known as Mola; and sleek […]

Whale and Marine Life Tour!

Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point

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 impressive sunfish known as Mola; and sleek […]

Whale and Marine Life Tour

Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point

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 impressive sunfish known as Mola; and sleek […]

Tide Pool Hike

Tide Pool HikesExplore 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 located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that […]

Distinguished Speaker Series: Marah j. Hardt (Sex in the Sea)

Distinguished Speaker: Marah J. Hardt! Sex in the Sea uniquely connects the timeless topic of sex with the timely issue of sustainable oceans. Through overfishing, climate change, and ocean pollution we are disrupting the creative procreation that drives the wild abundance of life in the ocean. Forget the Kama Sutra. When it comes to inventive […]