Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pmCommunity 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 & […]
SPOOKY SEAS AT OCEAN INSTITUTE Saturday, October 21th 5:00 pm - 10:00 pmCelebrate 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 […]
Senior Saturdays! Join us on the last weekend every month from 9:00am – 10:00am for Senior Saturdays. Some things just get better with age! Come enjoy the sophisticated side of ocean exploration with special hours for seniors-only. We will open an hour early just for our 55+ age community members to come enjoy our weekend […]
Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission! 10:00AM – 3:00PMOcean Institute’s general admission engages the public with our rotating monthly themes! Our rotating monthly themes allow visitors to keep coming back to discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity. Staff and volunteers stand ready […]
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 located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that make the tidepools […]
Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission! 10:00AM – 3:00PMOcean Institute’s general admission engages the public with our rotating monthly themes! Our rotating monthly themes allow visitors to keep coming back to discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity. Staff and volunteers stand ready […]
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 located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that make the tidepools […]
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 that align with our monthly themes. Admission includes light snacks and refreshments. Distinguished Speaker: Carlos Gauna Gauna will […]
Stoked on ScienceExploring Careers in Ocean ScienceJoin like-minded peers who are passionate about the ocean. Conduct research with leading scientists in our labs and at sea aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Gain an understanding of the education and career pathways in ocean science. Empower yourself to advance your passion for the ocean into a career. […]
Welcome the Hōkūle'a from onboard the R/V Sea Explorer! Tickets are $20 a person and also include access to the sold-out welcome ceremony! 3:00pm - Board the R/V Sea Explorer We will go out to the harbor entrance to welcome the Hokule'a and escort them back to the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center dock at […]
FREE TO THE PUBLIC Hōkūle'a Arrival Ceremony 4:30 pm - Hōkule'a Arrives outside Dana Point Harbor Dana Point OC Sheriff will provide a water salute and R/V Sea Explorer will escort behind. While Hōkūle'a enters the mouth of the harbor, it will be escorted by canoe clubs to Ocean Institute's dock. 5:00 pm - Welcome […]
Stoked on ScienceExploring Careers in Ocean ScienceJoin like-minded peers who are passionate about the ocean. Conduct research with leading scientists in our labs and at sea aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Gain an understanding of the education and career pathways in ocean science. Empower yourself to advance your passion for the ocean into a career. […]