Field Trip Resources
Thank you for choosing Ocean Institute as your field trip destination! We are excited to be welcoming your students to our campus and please reach out to our Fieldtrips Team at fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org or 949-496-2274 ext 359 if you are unable to find the answer to your question below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Bookings
How do I book a program?
Please email fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org with what program you are interested in, your student numbers, and dates that you are interested in.
What is the maximum capacity for programming?
We have a maximum capacity of 45 participants (students, teachers, and adult chaoperones) per program. We ask that you please be respected of those allotted numbers, and our booking team is more than willing to try to accommodate your class sizes with multiple programs or discussing programming options.
How do I secure my reservation?
In order to secure your date(s), please email or mail your signed program agreement(s)* and deposit. Signed program agreement(s) can be emailed to fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org or mailed to:
Ocean Institute
Attn: Fieldtrips Team
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
*Program agreements need to be signed by authorized staff.
How do I change or cancel a reservation?
Please email fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org or call 949-496-2274 ext 359 at least 4 weeks in advance. If you send and email or leave a voicemail, please note that your program will not be officially changed until your have received confirmation from our Booking Team.
Payment
How do I pay?
There are several payments options: check, credit card, or purchase order.
For checks please make them out to Ocean Institute and if you could please include the program number or a copy of the invoice, that would be greatly appreciated. Please send them to:
Ocean Institute
Attn: Finance Dept.
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point Harbor, CA 92629
Credit card payments can be processed over the phone at 949-496-2274 on Monday-Friday between 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM or Saturday- Sunday between 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Please send email confirmation of purchase orders to fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org.
When is payment due?
There are two due dates for payment that will be included on your program agreement.
The non-refundable deposit amount is due 30 days after receiving your program agreement in order to secure your reservation.
The remaining balance is due 45 days prior to your program date.
If a payment extension is needed, please contact fieldtrips@oceaninstitute.org.
Day of Program Information
How do we get to the Ocean Institute?
From the I-5 Freeway to Dana Point
Traveling South from Irvine:
Exit the Pacific Coast Highway off ramp and veer right. Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot.
Traveling North from San Diego:
Exit the Beach Cities off ramp and veer left. Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot.
From Pacific Coast Highway (PCH-HWY1) to Dana Point
Traveling South (from Laguna Beach):
Turn right onto Golden Lantern, then turn right onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot.
Traveling North (from San Clemente):
Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot..
What is parking like at the Ocean Institute?
Car
Parking is free and conveniently located directly in front of the Ocean Institute. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve parking spaces, however, overflow parking is located directly adjacent to the Ocean Institute in the Cove Road Parking lot (free) and the Pier parking lot (free).
For overnight parking, permits will be issued by our Guest Services or Education Team. Permits are required to be displayed on the dashboard.
Bus
Bus parking is located on Dana Point Harbor Drive next to the Pier parking lot. Buses will receive a parking pass from our Guest Services or Education Team.
What forms do we need to bring with us?
All participants (students, teachers, and parent chaperones) are required to complete a risk waiver. Risk waivers will be collected and handed in on the day of the program.
Where can our students eat lunch?
Your students are more than welcome to eat lunch in our Native Plant Garden, which is behind the Ocean Institute. The Native Plant Garden is a public space with picnic tables, benches, and trash cans available.
Are my students allowed to go to the gift store?
If you would like your students to go to the gift store at the end of your program, please either include your request in your pre-program correspondence with the Booking Team or inform the teaching staff on your day of the program (ideally before the program starts).