The Ocean Institute has become nationally known for its hands-on marine science, environmental education and maritime history programs. More than 110,000 K-12 students and 8,000 teachers annually participate in the Institute's 61 award-winning, immersion style programs. To learn about oceanography, science, and California history, students voyage onto the ocean, study in labs and live aboard tall ships or in the chaparral, where they can feel and taste the salty sea spray, sort through live specimens, observe migrating whales, collect scientific data and investigate the culture and world around them. On weekends, we open our doors to the public for a sneak peek into how ocean science, history, and literature are used to inspire life-long learners! We welcome you to come explore our world and plan your next visit to the Institute.
Your gift counts!
Learn more about how you can contribute to the Ocean Institute and support education.
2010 Summer Adventures - Members register now!
Enroll your child in a week long adventure!
We are proud to announce our 2010 Summer Camp programs. Programs consist of single-day, multi-day, and week-long experiences. We also offer a wide range of family programs. Start your planning now. Member registration now open!
General registration opens March 15th.
Adventure awaits you! Enroll your child in one of our popular Spring Camps for a day filled with fun, learning, and memorable experiences. Family programs also available.
Junior Neptune's Camp (age 6-8) - Session A
April 8th | 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Junior Neptune's Camp (age 6-8) - Session B
April 9th | 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Junior Seahawks Camp (age 9-12)
April 8th | 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Junior Oceanographer Camp (age 9-12)
April 9th | 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 6th -7th and 13th - 14th
Join the community in celebrating the annual migration of the California Gray Whale. Both weekends are packed with family-fun activities and at sea adventures aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and Spirit of Dana Point.
Wyland Art Exhibition
The Ocean Institute
welcomes a new art exhibit from renowned marine life artist Wyland during the Festival of Whales.
Come aboard the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center – in partnership with the Ocean Institute
step into the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center, a mobile exploration of watersheds, wildlife, and environmental conservation. Click here for more information>
March 18th| 7:00PM
Join us Thursday, March 18th for an illuminating evening as we dive into the surf culture with two pioneers who helped introduce the sport to new audiences throughout the world.Bob McKnight, co-founder of Quiksilver, Inc., and IMAX filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, co-founder of MacGillivray Freeman Films, will take us on a journey from their early days of filming surf movies to the multi-billion dollar sport it has become.
Click here for program and registration information>
Thursday, April 8th
It's Your Estate workshops begin
Financial & estate planning workshops on Thursdays from 9:30am – 11am through May. To register, email pmangione@ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274 x 111.
March 18th| 7:00PM 
