All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Harbor Walking Tour in Dana Point
This family friendly tour teaches about the history and development of the harbor, from Native Americans to the recreational harbor there is today.
Capture the King Tide Nature Walk in Dana Point
Join the Ocean Institute to learn about tides and how sea level rise is impacting our local coastline, then head to the local marine protected area to document the effects of the King Tides as a citizen scientist for the California King Tide Project.
Thanksgiving 3-Day Camp – Ocean Institute in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Ocean Institute for three days of fun and adventure! Camps are available for ages 5-12. A 2-hour whale watching cruise can be added on to any camp.
Weekend Wonderland at Ocean Institite
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 12-27: Join in the Reindeer Games Lab to race reindeer and squid, learn about and make your own snow in The More You Snow Lab, build a miniature sand snowman in CA White Christmas Lab, and build your own holiday cards and chromatography ornaments in our Workshop.
Inside Out: Dissections at Ocean Institute
Learn about a squid’s internal and external anatomy in this outdoor, socially distanced dissection. After, participants will be able to observe animals at the ocean institute including swell sharks, variety of fish and a California spiny lobster. Each booking will receive their own individual squid to dissect.
Weekend Tours at Ocean Institute
WEEKENDS, THROUGH FEBRUARY: Ocean Institute offers a Harbor Geology Tour on Saturdays, and Native Plant Garden Tour on Sundays. Book online.
Neptune’s Mysteries Spring-Break Camp at Ocean Institute
APRIL 5-9: Ages 5-7 become scientific investigators to unravel the mysteries of the ecosystems in Dana Point!
Kayak Harbor Tour with Ocean Institute
SATURDAY, APRIL 10 & 24: Join the Ocean Institute for a 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from one of their expert Naturalists.
Free General Admission to Ocean Institute for Active Military & Veterans
MEMORIAL WEEKEND, MAY 29-30: Active Military & Veterans get free general admission all weekend. Learn about Moon Jellies, encounter live animals and sharks in the touch tank, and join in on hands-on activities.
Free Admission Day at Ocean Institute
JUNE 27: Free admission on Sunday. Get tickets online and use code: FREEDAY at checkout.
Ocean Institute Annual Maritime Festival
SEPTEMBER 10-12: Three-day event includes cannon battles, Mermaid Breakfast, ship tours, live music, food trucks, educational demonstrations Mermaid Stories and Swim Shows, vendor booths and lots more.
Yule-Tide Holiday Market at Ocean Institute
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021: This holiday market will bring local makers, artists, and craftspeople together with the community for a unique holiday shopping experience filled with high quality one-of-a-kind handmade goods.
Festival of Whales Activities at Ocean Institute
MARCH 4-6: Ocean Institute is participating in the Dana Point Festival of Whales with a series of special events and activities. Join them for the sunset welcoming ceremony, go on a whale and marine life boat tour, learn about whales, and become a junior whale researcher.
Tall Ship Tour at Ocean Institute
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23: Go on a dock side educational tour of the Exy and Irvine Johnson tall ships. Tours are happening every 15 minutes.
Tall Ship Sail at Ocean Institute
TUESDAY, MARCH 22 & 28: Discover California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax, and enjoy sailing the seas during sunset aboard a tall ship.
Spooky Seas at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
OCTOBER 29: Visit the Mad Scientist Lab, play bioluminescence laser tag, trick-or-treat throughout the night, check out the Artifact Graveyard, and enjoy aquarium access, music, plus food and drinks for purchase.
Bioluminescence Night Cruise at Ocean Institute
SELECT DATES, MAY 20, JUNE 15-17, JULY 13-15, AUG 17-19, SEP 14-16, OCT 12-14: Come aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and join the Ocean Institute at night off the coast of Dana Point to explore the nocturnal world of marine birds, sea lions, and bioluminescent plankton.
Hōkūle’a Arrival Ceremony to Dana Point Harbor
NOVEMBER 4: Join Dana Point OC Sheriff and Ocean Institute as they welcome the Hōkūleʻa with a water salute, then watch it be escorted by canoe clubs to the Ocean Institute's dock. The public is invited inside the Ocean Institute for a welcome ceremony in the courtyard with speeches, cultural tributes, and ceremonial dances.
Sharks After Dark at Ocean Institute
EVERY TUESDAY, JUNE - AUGUST: Visit Ocean Institute after hours to learn about sharks, bioluminescence, plus create a glow-in-the-dark craft, enjoy a tide pool touch tanks, and more.
Whale and Marine Life Tour at Ocean Institute
NOW - DECEMBER 30: Join the crew of the Research Vessel Sea Explorer for a Whale Watching experience. See whales, dolphins, sea lions, and more as your explore the Pacific Ocean.
Little Currents at Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach
Wednesday, June - July: Explore ocean depths or buzz around with bugs during sensory-rich toddler sessions featuring songs, crafts, and story time.
Sharks After Dark at Ocean Institute
July 11 & August 8: Guests explore interactive spaces and activities that indulge curiosity, observe night‑active sharks and rays, and catch an exciting shark feeding session, with beer, wine, food trucks and live music on site.
Founder’s Day at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
August 23: Enjoy hands-on activities, tide pool touch tanks, and more during Founder's Day.
Maritime Festival at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
September 12-14: Celebrate California's rich maritime history with a fun-filled weekend featuring visiting Tall Ships, cannon battles, mermaid swim shows, pirate school, re-enactors and sailor camp, local vendors, live music, food trucks and more.
Harbor Hayride at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
October 25: Enjoy live music, apple cider, temporary tattoos and trick-or-treating all while cruising the beautiful Dana Point Harbor on the R/V Sea Explorer.
Spooky Seas at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
October 25: Play laser tag, explore haunted ships, and meet glowing creatures at Spooky Seas at the Ocean Institute.
Sea Shanty Sunday at Ocean Institute in Dana Point
Nov 23 & Dec 28: Sing sea shanties with a live pirate band aboard the Spirit of Dana Point, learn sailor lingo, and hear maritime legends. Costumes welcome; included with general admission.
Adventure Sail | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
January 10: Hoist the sails, learn navigation, and watch a live cannon demo aboard the Spirit of Dana Point.
Girls in Ocean Science Conference 2026 | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
February 28: The Ocean Institute hosts the Girls in Ocean Science Conference for middle and high school students. Explore marine science careers through hands-on workshops, lab experiences, and presentations from female scientists. Girl Scouts can add on a STEM Career Exploration Badge option.
Tidepool Hike | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
February–May: Explore tidepools with an expert naturalist on a guided hike through a rocky Marine Protected Area.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!
