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 engage with our community and share exciting updates. Collie James, our new Board Chair, will offer insights into the Institute's promising future in marine education […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission!  10:00AM – 3:00PMOcean 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. Staff and volunteers stand ready […]

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 through an exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long.  Dissections will occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm. Add-on Price: […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Ocean Institute invites you to join us for General Admission!  10:00AM – 3:00PMOcean 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. Staff and volunteers stand ready […]

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 through an exploration of anatomy and adaptations. Each dissection is 30 minutes long.  Dissections will occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm. Add-on Price: […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Come aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and learn all about her history along with the restoration process. This dockside guided tour will take you into the lives of those who work so relentlessly to keep her sea worthy. Tickets: $25About the Spirit of Dana Point The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a […]