Ocean Institute

At the far west end of Dana Point harbor is the Ocean Institute, a world-renown ocean educational facility. Its one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning programs for marine science, environmental education and maritime history thrill and engage both children and adults.

Visitors can participate in a variety of family friendly experiences include 20-minute lab activities, viewing of sea creatures, and enjoying octopus and jellyfish feedings.

The Institute's 70-foot research ship, Sea Explorer, is a fully equipped floating laboratory and provides daily cruises to study and observe marine life and the undersea world just offshore. Docked near the Ocean Institute is a full-sized replica of the nineteenth-century "Tall Ship" brig Pilgrim. Children have the extraordinary change to experience what life was like at sea in the 1800s, as outlined in Richard Dana's classic sea journal, Two Years Before the Mast. You can also take an adventure cruise on the Ocean Institute's 118-foot Tall Ship schooner, Spirit of Dana Point. Historical characters will bring you back to the Golden Age of Sail, and you just might run into pirates!

The Ocean Institute

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive
(949)496-2274

The Ocean Institute is open to the public on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the weekdays, students participate in the innovative and award-winning educational programs. For dates, times, and cruise information, visit www.ocean-institute.org.