Public Visitation
Hours Today: ClosedLaurena G. Chambers Gift Shop
Hours Today: Open 7:00am - 4:30pmCalendar of Events
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1 event,
0 events,
1 event,
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Ocean Institute is thrilled to partner with Rivian during their Toddler Time Wednesdays at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach! Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian is […]
2 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
2 events,
Intern Showcase
Intern Showcase
2026 Showcase Friday, June 5th, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Ocean Institute's Samueli Conference Center Join us on Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PM to watch our 2025-2026 Stan […]
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
7 events,
Kayak Tour
Kayak Tour
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
Sea Shanty Sunset Sail
Sea Shanty Sunset Sail
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, […]
7 events,
Community Beach Cleanup – Stand Up to Trash
Community Beach Cleanup – Stand Up to Trash
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 […]
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the […]
3 events,
Sharks After Dark
Sharks After Dark
SHARKS AFTER DARK Join us this summer for special admission hours 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Take a deep dive and explore our local sharks and their surrounding environments […]
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the […]
7 events,
Kayak Tour
Kayak Tour
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 kitchen, the quarantine lab, and the […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the […]
7 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Bioluminescence Night Cruise
BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm There’s a luminous underwater world just waiting to shine! Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the […]
2 events,
Summer Camp 2026 Session 1
Give your child a summer of adventure and hands-on learning with Ocean Institute’s week-long camps for ages 5 to 17. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. […]
1 event,
1 event,
3 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
2 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
7 events,
Kayak Tour
Kayak Tour
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
Sunset Sail
Sunset Sail
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, […]
6 events,
Dads and Donuts Whale and Marine Life Tour
Dads and Donuts Whale and Marine Life Tour
Celebrate Dad on this extra special, donut-filled Whale and Marine Life Tour! Your 2 and a 1/2 hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean lnstitute’s 65′ research vessel, takes you […]
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
2 events,
Summer Camp 2026 Session 2
Give your child a summer of adventure and hands-on learning with Ocean Institute’s week-long camps for ages 5 to 17. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. […]
1 event,
1 event,
3 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
2 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
7 events,
Kayak Tour
Kayak Tour
Explore the ocean from the water! Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
Adventure Sail
Adventure Sail
Set sail with OI for an unforgettable family adventure! Start with a muster and dive into hands-on activities like raising sail, navigation, helmsmanship, and bow watch. Enjoy a thrilling demonstration […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
7 events,
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour
Guided Snorkel Tour 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 […]
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Sea Shanty Sunday
Sea Shanty Sunday
Ahoy mateys! You are invited to sing sea shanties with the pirate band, Queen Anne's Blouse, on the Spirit of Dana Point docked at Ocean Institute’s Maritime Village! This is […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
2 events,
Summer Camp 2026 Holiday Week
Give your child a summer of adventure and hands-on learning with Ocean Institute’s week-long camps for ages 5 to 17. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. […]
1 event,
2 events,
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian
Ocean Institute is thrilled to partner with Rivian during their Toddler Time Wednesdays at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach! Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian is […]
2 events,
0 events,
5 events,
4th of July Fireworks Cruise
4th of July Fireworks Cruise
Enjoy drinks, music, and a spectacular fireworks show from the water aboard the RV Sea Explorer. Friday, July 4th 7:30pm - 10:30pm Guests (3 and over): $65 Toddlers (2 and […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]
5 events,
Whale and Marine Life Tour
Whale and Marine Life Tour
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 […]
General Admission
General Admission
Ocean Institute’s general admission invites the public to 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 […]
Squid Dissections
Squid Dissections
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 […]
Sea Star Feeding
Sea Star Feeding
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 […]
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
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 […]