Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pmFREE Community evening at OI!Join us for our Lighting Ceremony to kick-off the holiday season and turn on our holiday lights around the campus! Enjoy hot cocoa, touch tanks, and holiday cheer. Optional add-on: Purchase a $5.00 craft to create a light up bioluminescence ornament to take home.
HOLIDAY PARADE OF LIGHTS VIEWING PARTY Friday, December 10th 6:30pm - 9:00pmEnjoy the holidays with the Ocean Institute at our Annual Holiday Parade of Lights Viewing Party for the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. This year’s Boat Parade of Lights theme is “Fiesta”. Guests are invited to view the parade from our one-of-a-kind setting that only the Ocean Institute can provide! Join us for: Hot Cocoa […]
Want to experience the Parade of Lights from the water? Join us aboard the Research Vessel Sea Explorer for a festive holiday cruise around the beautiful Dana Point Harbor during the annual Parade of Lights! This years parade theme is Fiesta! Pricing: Adults - $45 Children - $35
Give & shop for a great purpose this holiday season through the Ocean Institute Yule-Tide Market! This holiday market will bring local makers, artists, and craftspeople together with the community for a unique holiday shopping experience filled with high quality one-of-a-kind handmade goods. Enjoy an eco-friendly event and purchase gifts for their loved ones in a way that will make a positive impact on […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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 […]
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: 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 […]
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 […]