Ocean Institute

Parade of Lights Premier Viewing
2024-12-13 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
PREMIER VIEWING LOCATION
Dana Point Parade of Lights Viewing Party
Friday, December 13th
6:30pm – 10:00pm

Skip the crowd with this premier viewing location of the 49th 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. You will also have access to view the parade from the 1700s replica schooner Spirit of Dana Point.
Beer, wine, and access to main party included in ticket purchase.
Pricing: $85 per person

Tickets

R/V Sea Explorer Parade of Lights Cruise
2024-12-14 18:15 - 20:30 UTC
R/V SEA EXPLORER PARADE OF LIGHTS CRUISE

Want to experience it from the water?
Book a ticket on the R/V Sea Explorer for a festive holiday cruise around the beautiful Dana Point Harbor during the annual Parade of Lights! Desserts are included in the ticket.
Beer and wine for purchase
Pricing:
Adults: $65
Children (19 months – 13 y.o): $55
Toddler (0-18 months): $10

Tickets

Holiday Parade of Lights Viewing Party
2024-12-14 18:30 - 22:00 UTC
HOLIDAY PARADE OF LIGHTS VIEWING PARTY
Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Tickets

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 “Carnival”.
Guests are invited to view the parade from our one-of-a-kind setting that only the Ocean Institute can provide!
Join us for:

Beer, wine, beverages, and food for purchase.
Hot Coco and Coffee Bar
Cookie Decorating
Live Entertainment
Tidepool Touch tanks
Holiday Activities
Photobooth and more!

Pricing:
Adult – $25.00
Senior/Military (55+, Veteran, Active Military) – $23.50
Child (19 months – 13 years) – $22.00
Infant/Toddler (0-18 months) – Free!

Tickets

Young Donors Day
2024-12-20
Young Donors Day

Celebrating Young Donors

We want to inspire the next generation of philanthropists this holiday season. That’s why we are celebrating our first Young Donors Day- a day all about teaching children what it means to donate and support the things they love.
From December 20 until the end of the year, all young donors (14 years old and younger) will receive a free ticket for an exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Ocean Institute. These tickets can be redeemed throughout 2025.
Even the youngest person and the smallest donation can make a huge difference. Young donors can support kids just like them, providing access to marine education for all.

Donate

Whale and Marine Life Tour
2024-12-20 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-12-21 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-12-22 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-12-23 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-12-27 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-12-28 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 impressive sunfish known as Mola; and sleek harbor seals and sea lions.
In addition, Ocean Institute’s professional naturalists are on hand to introduce you to the lifestyles of ocean creatures that frequent the waters off Dana Point. 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:
Ticket: $40 | Infant/Toddler (0-18 months): $10
Whale and Marine Life Ticket includes access into Ocean Institute for General Admission. Please be aware that the boat leaves promptly at 10. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure.

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ABOUT: The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Life Conservation Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science and Maritime History. The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel.

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

General Admission
2024-12-20 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-21 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-22 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-23 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-26 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-27 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-28 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission!
10:00AM – 3:00PM

Ocean 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 exhibits rotating monthly, and local aquaria. Interact with a shark and ray touch tank, an intertidal touch tank, and a bubble tank.
Bring history to life and step back in time with a Sailor’s Life Tour onboard the deck of Spirit of Dana Point.
Elevate your experience! Select add-ons at checkout!

Squid Dissection: $5

Sea Star Feeding: $10

General Admission Pricing:
Adult: $15.00
Senior (55+ y.o)/Military: $10.00
Child (19 months – 13 y.o): $7.50
Toddler (18 months and under): $0

Buy Tickets

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

ABOUT: The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Life Conservation Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science and Maritime History. The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel.

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Squid Dissections
2024-12-20 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-12-21 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-12-22 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-12-23 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-12-26 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-12-27 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 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.

Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour
2024-12-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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, the life support yard, and then you’ll get to participate in a shark feeding!
Tickets are $35 a person.

Tickets

Click here for our Refund and Ticket Transfer Policy.

Sail on Spirit of Dana Point
2024-12-21 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA, 92629, United States
Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship 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 tallship.
Must be 4 y.o 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.

Sea Star Feeding
2024-12-22 12:00 - 12:35, 2024-12-26 12:00 - 12:35 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 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 accompanied by 1 additional person. Children under 18 months do not require their own ticket to accompany a feeder.
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.

Closed
2024-12-24, 2024-12-25
We are closed today. Please navigate back to our calendar for upcoming events.

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