Ocean Institute Reopens Campus and Learning Spaces

Ocean Institute is welcoming the public back to their campus and learning spaces on April 10th. After a year of virtual and outdoor activities, the institute will open fully, including two new exhibits that enable visitors to explore local marine life in a hands-on and interactive way.

The Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center featuring shark encounters was slated to celebrate its grand opening on March 18th, 2020. Over a year later, the exhibit will open, allowing visitors to learn about shark anatomy, life cycles, research, and conservation, through artifacts, interactive demonstrations, and a beautiful horn shark touch tank.

Ocean Institute is also opening a new Marine Mammal exhibit in the Chambers Gallery. The exhibit features the ecological history of whales and dolphins and their place in our modern-day environment. Participants in weekend Marine Mammal Cruises will get exclusive access to the exhibit prior to departure.

In addition to new exhibits, the Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences. From squid dissections to panning for gold, from archeology and artifact explorations to “getting granular” with sand, from sounds of the sea to sea star feeding behaviors, from raising sails to lowering the mud grab, your Ocean Institute offers something for everyone.

Tidepool hikes, geology walks, and kayak tours continue to bring visitors to some of the most interesting and captivating spaces in the harbor and visitors can experience the wonders of native plants in the recently restored native plant garden with the naturalist team.

Land-based offerings are enhanced with Ocean Institute’s on-the-water programs. Visitors can become part of the crew while sailing on the Spirit of Dana Point or become an oceanographer for the day on the R/V Sea Explorer. Back on land, the newly redesigned gift shop offers souvenirs to commemorate your visit.

Ocean Institute is open to the public on weekends and non-school days from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. For more information and tickets to all Ocean Institute activities, please go to oceaninstitute.org, or call (949) 496-2274.