Annual Membership
When you choose to become a member of the Ocean Institute, you’re choosing to gain access to a world of wonder!
Your membership supports the care of our marine life, operational needs, and overall mission of Ocean Institute. Thank you for being a key partner in our mission to explore, educate, and protect our oceans.
All Ocean Institute Memberships are non-refundable.
Membership benefits updated: December 2023
Contact us: 949-496-2274 or guestservices@oceaninstitute.org
Sea Star
BEST VALUE!
Annual Fee: $250
2 named adults and children in the household.
Benefits:
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Complimentary tickets
- (2) Tickets – Whale and Marine Life Tour
- (2) Tickets – Maritime Festival – Festival Adventure Pass
- (2) Tickets – Holiday Parade of Lights Party
- (2) Tickets – Bioluminescence Night Cruise
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
Teacher Membership
FREE!
1 named adult and 1 unnamed guest in the household.
Benefits:
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
Eligibility:
- K-12 Teachers currently employed in a public or private school.
- Limited to California educators.
- Must have a valid school e-mail address to apply.
Jr. Explorer - YOUTH
Annual Fee: $50
Youth Membership- 14 y.o or younger
1 named child and 1 unnamed adult.
Benefits:
- Free year-round to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Free Jr. Explorer plush from giftshop
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
Individual
Annual Fee: $100
1 named adult and 1 unnamed guest in the household.
Benefits:
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
Family
Annual Fee: $150
2 named adults and children in the household.
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
Senior
Annual Fee: $175
1 named adult 55+, and 1 unnamed guest.
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Senior Saturdays (guest must be 55+)
- Complimentary tickets
- (2) Tickets – Whale and Marine Life Tour
- (2) Tickets – Sail on Spirit of Dana Point
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker
- 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
Captains Compass
Annual Fee: $400
2 named adults and 4 unnamed household guests.
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- (2) Complimentary Tickets:
- (2) Tickets – Whale and Marine Life Tour
- (2) Tickets – Maritime Festival – Festival Adventure Pass
- (2) Tickets – Holiday Parade of Lights Party
- (2) Tickets – Bioluminescence Night Cruise
- (2) Tickets – Sail on Spirit of Dana Point
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker and Tote bag
- 20% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
- Reciprocal benefits at NARM/CAMM participating institutions.
Sealife Sponsor
Annual Fee: $650
2 named adults and 6 unnamed household guests.
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Complimentary tickets to:
- (4) Tickets – Whale and Marine Life Tour
- (4) Tickets – Maritime Festival – Festival Adventure Pass
- (4) Tickets – Holiday Parade of Lights Party
- (4) Tickets – Bioluminescence Night Cruise
- (4) Tickets – Sail on Spirit of Dana Point
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker and Tote bag
- 20% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
- Reciprocal benefits at NARM/CAMM participating institutions.
- (1) Complimentary Private tour of Ocean Institute for 15 people.
Ocean Advocate
Annual Fee: $1,500
2 named adults and 8 unnamed household guests.
- Free year-round admission to the following programs:
- General Admission
- Distinguished Speaker Series
- Complimentary tickets to:
- (6) Tickets – Whale and Marine Life Tour
- (6) Tickets – Maritime Festival – Festival Adventure Pass
- (6) Tickets – Holiday Parade of Lights Party
- (6) Tickets – Bioluminescence Night Cruise
- (6) Tickets – Sail on Spirit of Dana Point
- Ocean Institute Member Sticker and Tote bag
- 20% discount on Gift Shop purchases
- 10% discount on Summer Camp
- Reciprocal benefits at NARM/CAMM participating institutions.
- (1) Complimentary Private tour of Ocean Institute for 15 people.
- (1) Complimentary Private Kayak Tour or Tidepool Hike for 10 people.
GIFT A MEMBERSHIP
Experience the wonder of the ocean with a gift membership at Ocean Institute!
Perfect for ocean enthusiasts and families, this membership provides exclusive access to engaging marine education programs, captivating exhibits, and exciting events.
Dive into a world of marine science, exploration, and maritime history while supporting the Ocean Institute’s mission.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
JOIN OR RENEW
There are several ways to become a member or renew a membership:
- In-person or Online
- Renewal: Existing members enter your information in the renewal areas so we can link to your account.
- New members follow the prompt during checkout to purchase a membership.
MEMBERSHIP START DATE
- Your membership begins immediately at the time of purchase. Recipients of a Gift Membership can redeem their membership whenever they’re ready.
- In-person or online/phone/email purchases or renews, a mobile membership card (with member number), and instructions for visiting the Ocean Institute will be sent by email.
VISITING GENERAL ADMISSION
-
FREE year-round General Admission for all member levels – No reservations are required for members, but you can pre-reserve if you want to.
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Upon arrival, present your digital member card at our front desk to enjoy your complimentary admission!
ACCESSING COMPLOMENTARY TICKETS
- Our higher levels of membership have different entitlements available for members to use. To claim those tickets log into your member portal here, visit your account, click memberships and entitlements will be at the bottom. You can also see the instructions further down on this page under “Navigating the Member Portal”.
- If entitlements are not listed either your membership does not have ticket entitlements, you have used all your entitlements for the membership year, or the tickets for the event are not available yet.
- If you believe there is an error, please contact guest services at 949-496-2274 or guestservices@oceaninstitute.org.
MEMBERSHIP CARD
To allow us to be eco-conscious and sustainable, membership cards and all tickets are emailed digitally.
UNNAMED GUEST OPTION
The Unnamed Guest option gives you the flexibility to host a different person with you on each visit for the duration of your membership. Double-check your membership to see if you are allowed unnamed guests.
MEMBER REFUNDS/TRANSFER
Memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Navigating the Membership Portal:
