Environmental Charities and Events at the Ocean Institute The Ocean Institute hosts unique fundraising events throughout the year to help support our educational programs, facility maintenance, save the ocean drives, and student aid funds. These exciting events are open to the community and help play a pivotal role in promoting our mission of ocean education. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available for our fundraising events.
January Kids' Watershed Conf.	February Jazz Festival Girls in Ocean Science	March Festival of Whales	May Build A Boat Boat Show
August California Cruising	September Tall Ships Festival RHD Charity Regatta	October	On-Going Weekend Exhibits

Annual Events

Ocean Institute Jazz Festival
A Three-day Extravaganza!
February 22 – 24, 2013

The Ocean Institute's popular jazz fundraising weekend event combines renowned jazz artists with an elegant evening of epicurean dining, cocktails, and live and silent auctions. Past performers include Gerald Albright, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Mindi Abair and Peter White.

Opening night, February 22nd, offers a Wine and Appetizer Reception and Concert Performance, limited to 300 guests. It will be headlined by Rick Braun and Friends; featuring Peter White and Richard Elliot. Guests will enjoy a va riety of complimentary wines provided by Pear Valley Vineyards and appetizers

Saturday, February 23rd, is the Premiere Evening at the Ocean Institute, accommodating 200 guests, and features a Gala Gourmet Dinner Show by Braun, White and Elliot. The elegant, intimate affair includes a cocktail reception with passed canapés, and an award-winning, four-course taste extravaganza prepared by celebrated local chefs from St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Montage Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Pear Valley Vineyards, established in Paso Robles in 1997, will provide all wine pairings. The evening also includes connoisseur silent and live auctions. 

Due to popular demand, we are proud to add a new Encore Performance with Peter White Unplugged this year on Sunday, February 24th. This unique experience will include time for questions. All proceeds benefit the Ocean Institute and its hands-on, ocean-oriented educational programs.

Click here to Purchase Tickets Online >
More info-Call Eileen Hayden at 949-496-2274 x 337 or ehayden@ocean-institute.org.

Kids' Conference on Watersheds
January, 2013
The Ocean Institute launched its annual watershed program to teach 5th grade students from southern California about the science of the watersheds, an area of land which runs into a body of water such as a river, lake or the ocean. Over 2,500 students per year participate in the program which provides them with the opportunity to present the findings of their studies among their peers, local elected officials, and professionals in the field.

The Watershed program is made possible through the generous support of Miocean, the Toyota USA Foundation, SIMA, Orange County Community Foundation, and the Kenneth and Eileen Norris Foundation.

Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference
February, & March, 2013
These exciting conferences are dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue degrees and careers in the sciences. Sixteen prominent female scientists from around the country will interact with the girls in a series of hands-on workshops aboard our research vessel, Sea Explorer, and in the Ocean Institute’s teaching labs. The conferences, split into two day-long programs, are designed for enthusiastic middle and high school girls who have an interest in science. Girls will explore careers in areas such as ocean conservation, marine biology and ecology, oceanography, and animal husbandry.. Click here for more information about the Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference.

Festival of Whales
March 2nd & 3rd and 9th & 10th, 2013

Celebrate the annual migration of the California Gray Whale! Join us as we participate in the community-wide event, which includes whale-themed activities and cruises. During festival weekends, explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. This year's activities include maritime history exhibits aboard the Pilgrim, an exploration of whale adaptations, such as feeding and echolocation and an exhibit on whale falls. Children can explore the different sizes of whales, make crafts and even dissect a fish.
Admission cost is $6.50 for Adults, $4.50 for children (4-12). Ocean Institute Members are free.

Cruises and Sails
Join one of our Marine Mammal Cruises and see the whales you have been learning about in real life! Or, set sail aboard a Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventure to learn the historical relationship between whales and tall ships. For schedules and costs of the cruises, please visit www.ocean-institute.org
or call (949) 496-2274.

New! Scrimshaw Workshop
This year at the Festival of Whales, guests can explore the relationship of sailors and whales through the art of scrimshaw. While sailors would traditionally carve images in the teeth and bones of whales, guests will be carving images in corian. Guests may sign up for a workshop that will include a video and short presentation on scrimshaw before the class begins.

More Info >

For complete festival information http://www.festivalofwhales.org/

7th Annual Build-A-Boat Challenge
Saturday, May 4th, 2013

The Ocean Institute will present its seventh annual Build-A-Boat Challenge, a one-day contest in which participants design, build and race their own boats. This exciting event raises funds for the preservation of the Institute's two tall ships, Pilgrim and Spirit of Dana Point. The two ships host thousands of school children in award-winning, living history programs. More Info>

Dana Point Harbor Boat Show
End of May - Early June, 2013
Dana Point Harbor is one of the most spectacular marinas along the California coast, from San Francisco to the Mexican border. Always full with the highest-quality of boats, Dana Point Harbor is home to thousands of watercraft and enthusiasts who enjoy all types of water sports activities throughout the year.

New and Used Boats and Products will be on display both in and out of the water at the boat show. A great selection of power and sail vessels will be on display, including Albemarle, Baja, Cenczi, East Bay, Egg Harbor, Formula, Grand Banks, Island Packet, Mediterranean, Mikelson, Mustang, Nordhavn, Ocean,Pacific Sea Craft, Pursuit, Riviera, Tiara, Viking, with more being added each week. For more imformation visit www.dphboatshow.com.

California Cruising
August, 2013
The Sand Dollar Guild invites you to join us for an evening filled with lively surf music, a sampling of delicious food from local restaurants, a classic Woodie Car display, and casino-themed fun! Try your luck at our casino games, enter raffles for great prizes, plus many more exciting surprises. Enjoy the beautiful ambiance at the Ocean Institute and support this incredible organization.

$75 or 2 for $135. Open to all adults.
RSVP to Natasha Berendzen 949-496-2274 Ext. 412 or nberendzen@ocean-institute.org

29th Toshiba Tall Ships Festival
Sept. 6 - 8 (Sunset Parade Sept. 6th)
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day (Visiting Ship Tours conclude at 3:30 PM)

The Ocean Institute is celebrating its 28th year hosting the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast! Come and explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working tall ships. Interactive living-history encampments including blacksmiths, schrimshaw artists, and the infamous Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages and are not to be missed. Come celebrate with us as we celebrate the area’s rich maritime history!

Participating tall ships typically include the brig Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Californian, Curlew,Exy Johnson, Irving Johnson, and the American Pride. Visiting ships are subject to change. For complete information about the festival visit: www.tallshipsfestival.com.

September, 2013
This premier event, sponsored by the Dana Point Yacht Club, will benefit the Ocean Institute. 

The Regatta Includes:

• Marine Corps Twilight Fishing Tournament
• Sponsor's VIP reception/dinner held at the Ocean Institute
• Junior Racing Event
• 2012 Audi Cup One Design Racing along side the PHRF and Non-Spinnaker Racing
• Saturday Morning Pancake Breakfast
• Saturday night auction and live music at the Dana Point Yacht Club
• Dinghy Poker Run
• Stand-up Paddle Board Races

Rotating Exhibits

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!

Monday through Friday we are closed to the public for school programs.

Public Hours:
Saturday & Sunday - 10:00am to 3:00pm

Admission Fee*:
Adult - $6.50
Child (age 3-12) - $4.50
Members - FREE
Teacher Club Members - FREE
*Admission fee includes Pilgrim Tour when applicable.