Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pmSea 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 […]
Join our crew for a holiday experience you will never forget! 9:30am: Check-In (please arrive no later than 9:45am) 10:00am-12:30pm: Christmas Cruise onboard R/V Sea Explorer Your 2-1/2-hour holiday 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 […]
Join us for a milestone event, the inaugural Town Hall: A Seaside Chat, on Wednesday, December 6 at 6PM, where the Ocean Institute's esteemed Board members and leadership team will engage with our community and share exciting updates. Collie James, our new Board Chair, will offer insights into the Institute's promising future in marine education […]
MAIN PARTY SOLD OUT! Tickets are still available for Premier Viewing Location & Parade of Lights Cruises! HOLIDAY PARADE OF LIGHTS VIEWING PARTY Friday, December 8th 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm Enjoy 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 “Candyland”. Guests […]
PREMIER VIEWING LOCATION Dana Point Parade of Lights Viewing Party Friday, December 8th 6:30pm – 10:00pm Skip the crowd with this premier viewing location of the 47th annual Dana Point Parade of Lights! Small-scale experience with upscale viewing from our beautiful Maddie James Seaside Learning Center Historical Wharf that sits over the water. Food truck available for purchase. […]
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 […]
We are closed for General Admission. Please navigate back to our calendar for upcoming events.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Set 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 […]
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, […]