Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 9:30am - 3:00pmFounder's Day Harbor CruiseJoin our crew for an experience you will never forget. This 45-minute cruise aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean Institute’s 65’ research vessel, takes you around the picturesque Dana Point Harbor. Ocean Institute’s professional naturalists are on hand to introduce you to the harbor's inhabitants, from seabirds to sealions. Our cruises are […]
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 & […]
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 […]
Squid DissectionsSquid DissectionsAdd-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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium TourBehind the Scenes Aquarium TourHave 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 […]
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 […]
[et_pb_text content_tablet="Summer Camp Dive into Summer Camp fun! " content_phone="Summer Camp Dive into Summer Camp fun! " content_last_edited="on|phone" _builder_version="4.16" header_font="Titillium Web||||||||" header_text_color="#ffffff" header_font_size="42px" header_line_height="1.7em" header_3_text_color="#eb2129" custom_padding="||||false|false" text_orientation_tablet="" text_orientation_phone="center" text_orientation_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"]Summer Camp 2024 Dive into Discovery!Welcome to Ocean Institute's 2024 Summer Camp! Dive into Ocean Institute's Summer Camp! Our week-long camps promise an immersive journey […]
Tiny Tots: Ocean ExplorersTiny TotsCalling all Ocean Explorers! 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! (Formerly known as Junior Naturalists). *Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend […]
Tiny Tots: Ocean ExplorersTiny TotsCalling all Ocean Explorers! 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! (Formerly known as Junior Naturalists). *Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend […]
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us this summer for special admission hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening June - August5:30 PM - 8:30 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 […]
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 […]