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Hours Today: Closed

Laurena G. Chambers Gift Shop

Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pm

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Today

Mermade Market

Wednesday NOV 8 10am - 6pmThursday NOV 9 10am - 6pmFriday NOV 10 10am - 8pmSaturday NOV 11 9am - 5pm2023 Mermade Market Hosted at Ocean Institute! "Mermade Market is […]

Words & Waves- Movie Screening

Our Words & Waves Book Club presents a screening of My Octopus Teacher.   This 2020 documentary follows a filmmaker as they forge an unusual friendship with an octopus living in […]

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Squid Dissections

Squid DissectionSquid DissectionAdd-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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Christmas Cruise

Ocean Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA

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 […]

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Ocean Institute Town Hall: A Seaside Chat

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 […]

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Holiday Parade of Lights Viewing Party

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 […]

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Premier Viewing Location: DP Parade of Lights Viewing Party

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. […]

Tidepool Hike

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 […]