Guided Snorkel Tour
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 […]
Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm
Loading view.
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 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 […]
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 kitchen, the quarantine lab, and the […]
Tiny Tots
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! *Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend with their child. This is a "Mommy & Me" style class. Classes are offered on Mondays […]
Featured
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Ocean Institute is thrilled to partner with Rivian during their Toddler Time Wednesdays at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach! Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian is […]
Tiny Tots
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! *Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend with their child. This is a "Mommy & Me" style class. Classes are offered on Mondays […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the dark and witness this curiously beautiful phenomenon.* Come aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and join us off the coast of Dana Point at night to […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the dark and witness this curiously beautiful phenomenon.* Come aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and join us off the coast of Dana Point at night to […]
Featured
Stoked on Science
Stoked on Science2026 Stoked on Science Field Day Saturday, October 10 | 7:30 am - 3:15 pmAboutConnecting Influential Scientists with the Next Generation of Ocean Ambassadors Ocean Institute’s annual Stoked […]