Closed for General Admission
We are closed for General Admission. Please navigate back to our calendar for upcoming events.
Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pm4th of July Firework Cruise!
Join us on the water for Dana Points Annual 4th of July Firework show! Tuesday, July 4th 7:30pm - 10:00pm Guests (3 and over): $50 Toddlers (2 and under): $0
Featured
Distinguished Speaker Series: Oriana Poindexter
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 […]
Featured
Summer Jams Concert: Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat
OCEAN INSTITUTE AND MUSIC PRESERVES PRESENTSUMMER JAMS CONCERT SERIES Come celebrate and support two local non-profits with an intimate concert, artist interview, beer, wine, and food! The Summer Jams Concert Series is a family-friendly three-part series that takes you behind the music with an exclusive artist interview and intimate concert by the sea. Tickets will also […]
Kayak Harbor Tour
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. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
Community Beach Cleanup – Stand Up to Trash
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 & […]
Kayak Harbor Tour
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. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]
Sharks After Dark
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us for special admission hours every Tuesday evening June - August6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Take a deep dive and explore our local sharks and their surrounding environments at Sharks After Dark! Discover the ocean’s underwater world with our fun, interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity. Using a blacklight discover more […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Cruises are selling out! Get your tickets today! Bioluminescence Night Cruises are only offered during the summer months. 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.* […]
Featured
Summer Movie Night: The Living Sea
Friday, July 14 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Featured Film: The Living Sea All movies are educational films by Greg MacGillivray. Cozy up on the waterfront in Dana Point Harbor for a family-fun movie, sea shanties, and more!We will kick off the event with some crowd-favorite sea shanties provided by Queen Anne’s Blouse Pirate Band […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Cruises are selling out! Get your tickets today! Bioluminescence Night Cruises are only offered during the summer months. 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.* […]
Kayak Harbor Tour
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. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing: $28 Must […]