Ocean Institute Summer Camps (2026)
Give your child a summer of adventure and hands-on learning with Ocean Institute’s week-long camps for ages 5 to 17. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Campers will receive a free Summer Camp Shirt and enjoy unforgettable experiences like sailing a historic tall ship, whale watching, exploring tide pools, and getting up close with sharks. Each day is packed with exciting activities that inspire curiosity, teamwork, and a love for the ocean.
Please note that some activities, such as sailing, are limited to older campers only.
Date: June 15 – August 14, 2026
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am -4pm
Ages: 5-17
Price: $450-600
Sea Squirts (ages 5-6)
Explore different ocean habitats, sing songs, meet animals, crafts, games, and hunt for treasure. Full and half-day options available.
Neptune’s Mysteries (ages 6-7)
Become a science investigator and embark on a marine mammal cruise and hike through tide pools.
Buccaneer Adventure Camp (ages 7-8)
Discover the life of pirates. Learn the ropes to survive at sea with dockside activities on a historic tall ship.
Ocean Discovery (ages 8-9)
Explore animal habitats and ecosystems through hands-on science labs, two-hour whale watching trip, tide pool exploration, and sailing trip aboard a historic tall ship.
Shipwreck Hunters (ages 9-11)
Become a maritime archeologist, explore shipwrecks, build your own ship, learn nautical navigation, piloting Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to discover the ocean floor, and explore the high seas aboard a historic tall ship and research vessel.
Coastal Explorers (ages 11-13)
Cruise along the coastline searching for blue whales, collecting samples, catch and release fish, kayak in the harbor, sail on a tall ship, and explore tide pools.
Marine Science Internship Academy (ages 14-17) and Counselor-in-Training Program (age 14+) also available.
Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
(949) 496-2274
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Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team works hard to ensure all camp listings are accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Confirm all details with camp organizer before attending. Kidsguide is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings on our website.
