Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pmSet sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tallship. Must be 4 y.o or older […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute!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 […]
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. Explore marine mammal artifacts, interactive […]
Sea Star FeedingSea Star FeedingGeneral Admission add-on experience! Have you ever wanted to hand-feed a sea star? Join us for this interactive feeding experience where you can prepare their food alongside our staff and hand feed a sea star with this up-close encounter you won't forget! Every feeder requires their own ticket and may be […]
Come aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and learn all about her history along with the restoration process. This dockside guided tour will take you into the lives of those who work so relentlessly to keep her sea worthy. Tickets: $25About the Spirit of Dana Point The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute!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 […]
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. Explore marine mammal artifacts, interactive […]
Junior NaturalistsJunior Naturalists Calling all Junior Naturalists! Join us for this "Mommy & Me" style program dedicated to exploring your world through song, movement, and your senses. Enjoy new activities each session & expand into a new animal every month! *Please note that parents must participate and attend with their child. This is a "Mommy […]
Junior NaturalistsJunior Naturalists Calling all Junior Naturalists! Join us for this "Mommy & Me" style program dedicated to exploring your world through song, movement, and your senses. Enjoy new activities each session & expand into a new animal every month! *Please note that parents must participate and attend with their child. This is a "Mommy […]
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. Explore marine mammal artifacts, interactive […]
The USCG Narwhal is Back! FREE TOURS ALL DAY! Free tours from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Ocean Institute Maddie James Seaside Learning Center and Historical Wharf. Tour a USCG ship - Meet the officers and crew of the NARWHAL. Visit the USCG Auxiliary Booth - meet local members - learn about joining. The Auxiliary […]
Sea Star FeedingSea Star FeedingGeneral Admission add-on experience! Have you ever wanted to hand-feed a sea star? Join us for this interactive feeding experience where you can prepare their food alongside our staff and hand feed a sea star with this up-close encounter you won't forget! Every feeder requires their own ticket and may be […]