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Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA

Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Museums

Ocean Institute

Non-profit ocean education center on the Dana Point Harbor waterfront with exhibits, touch tanks, and tall ship and research vessel trips.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr. Dana Point, CA 92629 · Dana Point, CA

About Ocean Institute

The Ocean Institute is a non-profit ocean education center on the waterfront in Dana Point Harbor, Southern California. Its campus offers hands-on exhibits about marine life and maritime history for visitors of all ages. On weekends the public can enter for general admission, whale and marine life cruises, tall ship sails, and other programs. On weekdays the campus mostly hosts school field trips and summer camps. Founded in 1977, the institute reports more than 100,000 guests a year.

  • #marine science
  • #maritime history
  • #tall ship
  • #whale watching
  • #field trips

What's around here?

The closest stops to Ocean Institute, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

    $50+

    Dolphin and whale watching cruises from Dana Point Harbor, including catamaran trips with underwater viewing pods.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Dana Wharf Sportfishing

    $25–$50

    Whale watching, dolphin cruises and sportfishing charters departing daily from Dana Point Harbor.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Doheny State Beach

    Under $25

    A popular Orange County surf beach with a visitor center, tide pool, campground, and paved beachside trail.

    1.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Mission San Juan Capistrano

    Under $25

    Historic 18th-century Spanish mission and museum known for its ruined Great Stone Church and swallow legend.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    3.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Museum of Make Believe

    $25–$50

    An immersive storybook forest of handcrafted art, miniatures and puppetry built around original fairy tales.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    7.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums

    Laguna Art Museum

    Under $25

    A Laguna Beach museum devoted to California art, with rotating exhibitions drawn from its own collection.

    7.4 mi awayMore like this

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