Press and Media
Ocean Education Center – comprised of the Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center, Packard At Sea Learning Center, Estaury Exploration; and the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center; teaching stations include marine life tanks, a ROV testing tank, and a sleeping deck with sweeping ocean views.
Maritime Center – a hands-on teaching facility built for exploration of maritime history.
Annual Students Served: 60,000
Annual Public Served: 50,000
Total Guests Served: 110,000
Staff: 115 (full and part-time)
Photo and video consent
By entering, you consent to your voice and photography or video of you, including accompanying children, to be used without compensation in any and all media and marketing materials, and you release Ocean Institute from any liability of usage.
Taking photos or video for editorial purposes
Anyone can take photos and video for their personal use only. Media should contact the Marketing department in advance to arrange to shoot photos and videos that will be used with articles or media that include Ocean Institute.
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes
Taking photos or video for commercial purposes, including for stock images, commercial products and other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior authorization from the Marketing department. If permission is granted, payment of location fee may be involved, depending on the scope of the project.
Location filming/photography
We consider each location request on an individual basis, and fees may be charged for shooting. Requests can be accommodated only if they do not conflict with scheduled events.
- Dana Point Chamber of Commerce – Business of the Year 2008
- Orange County Department of Education – Outstanding Contributions in Education Award
- U. S. Sailing – National Outstanding Community Sailing Program Award
- 2005 National Science Foundation Award
- 2003 National Science Foundation Award
- Inaugural Walter Cronkite Award, National Maritime Historical Society
- Program of the Year, American Sail Training Association
- Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation Grant Recipient
- Ocean Institute Volunteers: 110
- Board of Directors: 20
- Ocean Institute Members: 1,800
OI in the News
- CBS SoCal Spotlight – Exploring the Ocean Institute
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/exploring-the-ocean-institute-socal-spotlight/ - NBC Los Angeles – Glow in Search of Beautiful Bioluminescence Near Dana Point
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/worth-the-trip/bioluminescence-night-cruise-dana-point/3419110/ - NBC Los Angeles – Bioluminescence Nights Shimmer at the Ocean Institute
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/bioluminescence-nights-dana-point-ocean-institute/3476924/ - NBC Los Angeles – Maritime Festival
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/maritime-festival-ocean-institute-dana-point/3508007/ - NBC Los Angeles – King Tides Tide Pool Hike
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/dive-into-a-fascinating-king-tides-tide-pool-hike-at-the-ocean-institute/3307654/ - NBC Los Angeles – Mermade Market
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/mermade-market-an-ocean-close-artisan-filled-favorite-will-come-ashore-in-may/3349311/ - NBC Los Angeles – Sharks After Dark
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/sharks-beaches-dana-point-ocean-institute/3457190/ - NBC Los Angeles – Spooky Seas
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/venture-if-you-dare-onto-spooky-seas-at-the-ocean-institute/3231497/ - NBC Los Angeles – Tall Ship Adventure
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/savor-a-storied-sailing-adventure-tall-ship-style-near-dana-point/3217555/ - OC Register – Spirit of Dana Point Leads Cannon Battle Fleet
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/09/09/spirit-of-dana-point-leads-cannon-battle-fleet-out-for-first-time-since-renovation/ - OC Register – School Day Spent Learning About Ocean Life
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/03/11/school-day-spent-learning-about-ocean-life/ - OC Register – 40th Maritime Festival Feature
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/09/16/an-extra-heap-of-arrgh-and-mermaid-sweetness-at-40th-maritime-festival/ - OC Register – Festival of Whales
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/02/29/festival-of-whales-this-weekend-includes-a-return-of-the-whale-walk/ - OC Register – Spring Break Tide Pool Exploring
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/03/19/want-a-free-spring-break-idea-low-tides-make-for-epic-tidepool-exploring/ - OC Register – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/04/12/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-narwhal-open-for-tours-in-dana-point-harbor/ - OC Register – Hōkūleʻa Visit
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/02/voyaging-canoe-visits-oc-shares-history-at-sea-using-stars-and-wind-for-navigation/ - The Points Guy – 10 Best Places for an Idyllic West Coast Getaway
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-west-coast-getaways/ - Forbes – Travelers Create Their Own Alter Egos on These Western Vacations
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogersands/2024/03/06/travelers-create-their-own-alter-egos-on-these-western-vacations/ - Thrillist – Dana Point: Dolphin Watching Capital of the World
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/los-angeles/things-to-do-in-dana-point - California.com – Top 5 Museums Near Dana Point
https://www.california.com/here-are-the-top-5-museums-near-dana-point/ - San Diego Family – Visit Dana Point: A Fun Family Getaway
https://www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/travel/visit-dana-point-family-trip-with-kids - Laguna Beach Independent – Ocean Institute Summer Camp
https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/welcome-to-ocean-institutes-2024-summer-camp/ - Orange Coast Magazine – Celebrate Earth Day in Orange County
https://orangecoast.com/arts-culture/celebrate-earth-day-in-orange-county - The Log – White Sea Bass Re-Population Program
https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/ocean-institute-spearheads-innovative-white-sea-bass-re-population-program/ - The Log – 40th Annual Maritime Festival
https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/ocean-institutes-40th-annual-maritime-festival-a-celebration-of-history-community-and-ocean-education/ - The Log – Octavius the Giant Pacific Octopus
https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/octavius-a-giant-pacific-octopus-takes-up-residence-at-ocean-institute/ - The Log – King Tides Are Coming to Dana Point
https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/king-tides-are-coming-to-dana-point/ - The Log – Meet the Tall Ships of the Maritime Festival
https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/meet-the-tall-ships-of-the-maritime-festival-2/ - LA Times (Daily Pilot) – Ocean Institute Partners with CHOC
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2024-08-28/ocean-institute-to-partner-with-choc-to-create-digital-content-for-young-patients
Click here to check out press and media coverage of the Ocean Institute in 2021
Click here to check out press and media coverage of the Ocean Institute in 2022
OI in the News- 2023
- Dana Point Times | August 8, 2023 3:16PM | Ocean Institute to Host Inaugural Sea Safety Summit
- Orange County Register | August 7, 2023 at 5:12 p.m.| Divers Scour Reef Behind Ocean Institute In Recognition of International Scuba Day
- Dana Point Times | July 27, 2023 11:16AM | To Kelp: Divers To Clean Local Reefs on International SCUBA Day
- Dana Point Times |July 28, 2023 3:15AM | Ocean Institute Distinguished Speaker Series: Brett McBride
- Dana Point Times | July 7, 2023 3:14PM | Ocean Institute Brings Summer Movie Nights to the Harbor
- Dana Point Times Ocean Institute Articles Archive
Press Release Archive – 2023
- Dive into a World of Mystery and Wonder at the Ocean Institute’s Spooky Seas Event. Sept. 21, 23
- Laura Frank, to share the concepts of holistic sustainable ocean management as Distinguished Speaker- September 6, 2023
- Founder’s Day Celebrates Stan Cummings’ Legacy on August 20, 2023
- Ocean Institute & RIFFE International Partner Up to spread awareness of Ocean Safety, Aug.2023
- Ocean Institute and Lost Winds Dive Shop celebrate the First International SCUBA Day with MPA cleanup, Aug. 2023
- Ocearch Fishing Master, Captain Brett McBride to Discuss Game- Changing Research on Great White Sharks as Ocean Institute’s August Distinguished Speaker, Aug. 2023
- Oriana Poindexter, Marine Scientist, Photographer, and Artists is Ocean Insitute’s July Distinguished Speaker 2023
- Ocean Institute and Music Preserves Announces Summer Jams Concert Series 2023