Tiny Tots
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 […]
Public Visitation
Hours Today: Open 10:00am - 3:00pmLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm
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Sharks After Dark: Bioluminescence Night
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 […]
Featured
Distinguished Speaker Series: David Helvarg
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 […]
Tiny Tots
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: Bioluminescence Night
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us this summer for special admission hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening June - August5:30 PM - 8:30 PM 8/6 and 8/8 Only - Bioluminescence Night! 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, […]
Kayak Harbor Tour with REI
Kayak Harbor Tour with REIExplore the ocean from the water!The Ocean Institute is proud to partner with REI to offer kayak tours of the Dana Point Harbor! "The coast of Southern California is teeming with sea life - from bright orange Garibaldi, pelicans, and even bottlenose dolphins. The sandy shoreline opens up to the Pacific […]
Featured
Founder’s Day and Maritime Village Grand Opening
Founders DaySaturday, August 1010:00am - 3:00pm Ocean Institute’s annual Founders Day celebrating our Founder, Stan Cummings! Learn about him here: https://oceaninstitute.org/stan-cummings-scholars/. Ocean Institute is excited to open up our doors and welcome […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Founder’s Day Harbor Cruise
Founder'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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]