Ocean Institute

Homeschool Day
2026-04-08 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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Homeschool Day

Ocean Institute is excited to offer Homeschool Days! These special weekday events are designed for homeschool families looking for an amazing field trip!
These events resemble our weekend general admission hours, with even more educational activities! New activities will be offered at each event, along with these standard offerings:

Estuary Exploration: Visit our brand-new exhibit and learn all about estuaries and the amazing plants and animals that live there!
Storytime: Join us for educational story time with some of your favorite ocean stories!

Discovery Pool: Say hello to our sea stars, urchins, and snails in our Discovery Pool touch tank!
Shark Touch Tank: Say hello to our horn sharks, round rays, and guitarfish in our Shark Touch tank!
Sailor’s Life Tours: Step aboard our historic tall ship, the Spirit of Dana Point, and learn about the life of a sailor in the 1800s!
Maritime Village: Check out our amazing artifacts and hands-on activities!
Schooling Fish Feeding: Watch as a member of our husbandry staff feeds our schooling fish and learn about these amazing animals!
Snake Talk: Meet one of our live snakes and learn about their habits!
And much more!

We also offer the following activities for an additional fee:

Whale and Marine Life Tour
Squid Dissections
Gold Panning
Leather Branding

Ticket Options

Kids: $12
Adults: $11
Family Four Pack: $45
Dissection Add-on: $5
Leather Branding Add-on: $5
Whale-Watching Add-On: $35*
*Includes admission to Homeschool Day

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Distinguished Speaker Series: Emily Martin
2026-04-08 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
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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 of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & Refreshments available for purchase at event.

Distinguished Speaker: Emily Martin

Description:
Some of the most important life in a lake is nearly invisible. Zooplankton are small animals that drift through the water, sustaining a foundation of mountain lake food webs. Even though they are small, they serve critical functions, such as eating algae and being eaten by fish.
In this talk, Emily will introduce zooplankton and explain why they matter. She will share how the introduction of sport fish has changed zooplankton communities in Sierra Nevada lakes that were once fishless. She will also discuss how environmental conditions influence which species can survive in these sensitive mountain lakes.
In addition, Emily will share what it means to be a mountain lake ecologist. She will describe a “day in the life” of conducting alpine fieldwork, including backpacking into remote wilderness areas to collect samples, performing research in rugged mountain environments, and using the tools and equipment of the trade, from plankton nets and water samplers to data loggers. By looking closely at small organisms, we can gain a clearer picture of the big environmental changes happening in our beloved mountain lakes and what those changes might mean for the future of these freshwater ecosystems.

Wednesday, April 8
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Doors open at 5:30pm, talk begins at 6:00pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)

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About Emily:

Emily Martin (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Symons Lab at the University of California, Irvine. She studies mountain lakes in the Sierra Nevada and is interested in how environmental change affects the food webs within them. Her research focuses on how introduced fish and the environment are reshaping lake communities. By combining fieldwork in beautiful high-elevation lakes with experiments in the lab, she works to better understand how biodiversity supports lake functioning. She is passionate about making science accessible, creative, and engaging for everyone.

Tiny Tots
2026-04-09 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-13 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-16 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Calling 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 and a new animal every month!

*Please note that a parent/guardian must participate and attend with their child. This is a “Mommy & Me” style class.

Classes are offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 10:30am. Each class contains ~30-minutes of led activities & ~30-minutes of structured play time. There will be new activities every class!

Audience: Recommended ages ~2-4 years old.
Location: Ocean Institute
Price: $20 (Ticket includes one child and one adult)

Build a Bundle and get 25% off!
When enrolled in 3 classes or more! When you have 3 or more different class dates in your cart you will get each class for $15 (regular price $20!).
Discount will auto-apply in the cart. All classes must be booked all at once to receive the discount. Discounts will not be retro-applied for single drop-ins. Classes must be on different dates, not multiple enrollments for the same date.

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Tiny Tots Refund & Rescheduling Policy

Please note that Tiny Tots tickets are non-refundable unless a doctor’s note is emailed to guestservices@oceaninstitute.org.

A $5 transfer fee will be added to all rescheduled tickets. If you need to reschedule a Tiny Tots class, please send a rescheduling request with your new selected date to guestservices@oceaninstitute.org preferably at least 24 hours before the start time of your class. We will do our best to accommodate your transfer request, pending availability, and send you an updated confirmation email.

If a rescheduling request is received after your class has already taken place, a valid medical note is required. Once received at guestservices@oceaninstitute.org, we will gladly move you into another class, pending availability.

General Admission
2026-04-10 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-11 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-12 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-18 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
General Admission

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

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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 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 to life and step back in time with a Sailor’s Life Tour onboard the deck of Spirit of Dana Point and a visit to our Maritime Village.

Pricing:
Adult: $16
Child (19 months – 13 y.o): $12
Senior (55+) or Military: $14
Infant/Toddler (0-18 months): Free!

Elevate your experience! Select add-ons at checkout:

Squid Dissection: $5Sea Star Feeding: $10

Tickets must be purchased for all individuals. Ocean Institute Members receive complimentary year-round general admission! Not a member? Click here to join today!

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Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Squid Dissections
2026-04-10 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-11 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-12 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-18 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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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 dissector will receive their own squid to dissect. Note: Children under 18 months do not require their own ticket to accompany a dissector.
Dissections will occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm.
Add-on Price: $5
Must have a General Admission ticket to participate. Add on experience ticket during check out.

Tickets

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Tidepool Hike
2026-04-10 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-12 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-18 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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Explore the world between the 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 Protected 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 their home. The winter months are the best time to explore these magical marine ecosystems!
What to Expect:
Hike Difficulty Rating: Moderate, 1 – 1.5 mile round trip.
Please be prepared for rocky, uneven, and slick terrain for the entire hike.
Dress: Closed-toed, Closed-heeled sturdy shoes are required. We recommend sunscreen, light layers, and water.

Pricing:
$18 a person
*This hike is not recommended for children younger than four years old

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Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
2026-04-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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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 life support yard, and then you’ll get to participate in a shark feeding!
Tickets are $35 a person and include general admission to Ocean Institute!

Tickets

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Whale and Marine Life Tour
2026-04-11 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-04-12 09:30 - 12:30, 2026-04-18 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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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 known as mola-mola; and sleek harbor seals and sea lions.
Ocean lnstitute’s professional naturalists will brief you with information on our local species before boarding, and they will be on hand during the cruise to provide insight on all the marine life you encounter. Possible hands-on activities include sorting through mud samples from the ocean floor, as well as trawling for plankton.
Our cruises are safe and fun for the entire family, and everyone will learn something new about our ocean and the life within it.

Whale and Marine Life Tour Pricing:

Adults and Children: $40
Infants/Toddlers (0-18 months): $10

Your Whale and Marine Life Ticket includes access to the Ocean Institute for General Admission.

Book Now!

F.A.Q.

Can I bring food and drinks onboard?
You are welcome to bring snacks, water, or soft drinks on the boat. Large cooler containers are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought on the boat.

What should I wear?
We recommend dressing in layers and wearing closed-toe shoes. We also recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses if desired and wearing sunscreen.

Where should I park?
Parking is free in the Ocean Institute, Baby Beach, and Cove Road parking lots. Please allow yourself extra time to navigate any potential traffic and to secure parking. We cannot guarantee parking availability. Refunds will not be offered if you are unable to find parking.

When should I arrive?
Please arrive early to leave ample time for parking and check-in. Your ticket does include general admission to the Ocean Institute’s exhibits, so make sure to stop by after your cruise to see them for yourself!

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Teacher Workshop
2026-04-11 09:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Calling all teachers!
Learn from an expert guest speaker and Ocean Institute staff as they share insights on the importance of experiential learning and how hands-on opportunities can transform student engagement and understanding across all subjects.

Complimentary lunch
Free General Admission after the workshop – explore our touch tanks, marine exhibits, and more at your own pace!

Register Now

Guest Speakers: Kevin Alison and Katie Elder
Native Plant and Wildlife Conservation Managers on Catalina Island
Kevin Alison:
Kevin serves as the Native Plant Manager for Catalina Island, where he leverages his expertise in conservation, restoration, and horticulture to safeguard the native biodiversity of plants and prevent extinction. He holds degrees in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Horticulture from College of the Desert, Coastal Resource and Watershed Management from the University of Hawaii, and a Master’s in Conservation and Restoration Science from the University of California Irvine. Kevin specializes in advanced propagation techniques such as plant tissue culture to conserve rare, endangered, and challenging-to-grow plants.

Katie Elder:
Katie serves as the Wildlife Conservation Manager for the Catalina Island Conservancy. She did her undergraduate work at Humboldt State University where she received BS degrees in Wildlife Conservation Biology and Marine Biology. She completed her masters work at California Polytechnic State University, SLO studying island fox home range characteristics on Santa Rosa Island. Katie worked for seven years facilitating independent wildlife research projects with middle and high school students in New Mexico, and taught high school biology for a year. She is passionate about meaningful science engagement for young, budding scientists.

Sea Star Feeding
2026-04-11 12:00 - 12:35, 2026-04-12 12:00 - 12:35, 2026-04-18 12:00 - 12:35 (America/Los_Angeles)
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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 and the feeding. During the preparation phase, the guest will be using sharp knives. It is recommended that children 10 and under are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Sea star feeding is only held at 12PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Add-on Price: $10
General Admission ticket purchase is required. Add experience to your cart at checkout!

Tickets

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Sunset Sail
2026-04-11 16:30 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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, 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 sunsets from the water!
Must be four years or older to sail.
Tickets: $65

BOOK HERE

About the Spirit of Dana Point
The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer schooner used during the American Revolution. These ships were known for their speed and were used for smuggling. The ship is 118 feet long with a rig height of 100 feet… and 5,000 square feet of sail!
It was Dennis Holland’s dream to build an accurate replica from the period when America fought for independence. Armed with talent, determination, little money and plans he purchased from the Smithsonian Institution, he laid the keel in his Orange County yard on May 2, 1970. Thirteen years later, this fast privateer was launched and continues to sail the ocean. Everywhere you look on board is the craftsmanship and pride of early America.
Formerly the Pilgrim of Newport, the re-named Spirit of Dana Point is an excellent teaching platform where students directly experience life at sea as it has been for hundreds of years. The 118-ft. schooner is used for living history and at-sea maritime programs throughout the year.
The Spirit of Dana Point is also available for public and private charters, coastal sails, corporate team building, and filming opportunities.
For private charters, events or wedding onboard the Spirit of Dana Point please e-mail: events@oceaninstitute.org

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Community Beach Cleanup - Stand Up to Trash
2026-04-18 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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-10:30am Beach Cleanup
10:30am Free Lunch & Learn at Ocean Institute

RVSP

Adventure Sail
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
BOOK HERE

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 of the ship’s cannon as our crew showcases naval gunnery. This exciting program is perfect for families looking to create lasting memories on the open water. Join us for a day of adventure and fun!
Tickets:
Adults – $40
Children (19 months to 13 years) – $40
Infant/Toddler (0 to 18 months) – $10

BOOK HERE

About the Spirit of Dana Point
The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer schooner used during the American Revolution. These ships were known for their speed and were used for smuggling. The ship is 118 feet long with a rig height of 100 feet… and 5,000 square feet of sail!
It was Dennis Holland’s dream to build an accurate replica from the period when America fought for independence. Armed with talent, determination, little money and plans he purchased from the Smithsonian Institution, he laid the keel in his Orange County yard on May 2, 1970. Thirteen years later, this fast privateer was launched and continues to sail the ocean. Everywhere you look on board is the craftsmanship and pride of early America.
Formerly the Pilgrim of Newport, the re-named Spirit of Dana Point is an excellent teaching platform where students directly experience life at sea as it has been for hundreds of years. The 118-ft. schooner is used for living history and at-sea maritime programs throughout the year.
The Spirit of Dana Point is also available for public and private charters, coastal sails, corporate team building, and filming opportunities.
For private charters, events or wedding onboard the Spirit of Dana Point please e-mail: events@oceaninstitute.org

F.A.Q.

Can I bring food and drinks onboard?
You are welcome to bring snacks, water, or soft drinks on the ship. Large cooler containers are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought on the ship.

What should I wear?
We recommend dressing in layers and wearing closed-toe shoes. We also recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses if desired and wearing sunscreen.

Where should I park?
Parking is free in the Ocean Institute, Baby Beach, and Cove Road parking lots. Please allow yourself extra time to navigate any potential traffic and to secure parking. We cannot guarantee parking availability. Refunds will not be offered if you are unable to find parking.

When should I arrive?
The ship will depart promptly at the start time. Please arrive to check in no later than 15 minutes before the start time. Your ticket does include general admission to the Ocean Institute’s exhibits, so make sure to arrive early to see them for yourself!

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.
