Public Visitation
Hours Today: Closed
Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm
Connecting Influential Scientists with the Next Generation of Ocean Ambassadors Ocean Institute’s annual Stoked on Science teen conference introduces middle school and high school students to the diverse career opportunities...
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a two-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. One of our expert naturalists will teach you about the harbor’s history and unique ecosystem. All experience levels are welcome. An adult must accompany guests under 16. Pricing Adults (14 y.o. and up) $36...
Join our crew for an experience you will never forget. Your 2 and a 1/2 hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean lnstitute’s 65′ research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating blue and grey whales; large schools of playful dolphin; the impressive sunfish...
Engage with our immersive, hands-on exhibits and rotating themes! Our rotating 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 exhibits, and local aquaria. Interact with a shark and ray touch and an intertidal touch tank.Bring history...
Add-on experience for General Admission! Dive into a hands-on experience suitable for all levels of curiosity with our squid dissections! Join our expert guides who will lead you through an exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long. Every dissector requires their own ticket and may be accompanied by 1 additional person. Each...
General Admission Add-on Experience! Have you ever wanted to hand-feed a sea star? Join us for this interactive feeding experience at 12:00 pm where you can prepare their food alongside our staff and hand feed a sea star with this up-close encounter you won't forget! The sea star feeding is a two-part experience, the preparation...
Go behind the scenes with us! Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Ocean Institute? Join us on our immersive Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour to learn all about what it takes to run an aquarium! This tour takes you beyond the eyes of the public to our husbandry prep...
Experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship 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 tall ship. During the summer, enjoy sailing later in the day to take in California's majestic...
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.* Come...
Explore the ocean with us! Join our semi-private guided snorkel tours and explore the stunning marine life of Shaw’s Cove! Meet at the beach where your expert guide will lead you through Southern California’s beautiful kelp forests. Enjoy 45 minutes in the water as our guide introduces you to the beauty of Southern California’s kelp...
Join our crew for an experience you will never forget. Your 2 and a 1/2 hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean lnstitute’s 65′ research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating blue and grey whales; large schools of playful dolphin; the impressive sunfish...
Engage with our immersive, hands-on exhibits and rotating themes! Our rotating 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 exhibits, and local aquaria. Interact with a shark and ray touch and an intertidal touch tank.Bring history...
