Ocean Institute Offers
Blue Whale, Marine Wildlife Cruises
Dana Point, CALIF., – The Ocean Institute is offering opportunities for the general public to enjoy whale watching and to observe other marine wildlife off the Southern California coast this summer.
Blue Whales: The Ocean Institute is offering five-hour Blue Whale Safari cruises which take participants to the feeding grounds of the great blues. Upcoming cruise dates: August 11 & 18 and September 1, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Institute marine biologists lead the cruises aboard the Sea Explorer, which makes use of equipment such as an acoustic array, plankton nets, video microscopes and a sediment sampler.
The cost of the whale watching cruises is $55 ($49 Ocean Institute members). Participants must be age 8 or older, under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A continental breakfast will be served; participants should bring a sack lunch. For more information, call (949) 496-2274.
Marine Wildlife Cruises: The Ocean Institute offers 2½- hour weekend Marine Wildlife Cruises to provide participants with a ship-board view of whales, dolphins, sunfish, sea lions, and other creatures of the sea. Institute marine biologists lead the cruises onboard the Sea Explorer, which makes use of state-of-the-art equipment such as an acoustic array, plankton nets, video microscopes and a sediment sampler.
Trips are held most weekends. Upcoming cruises: August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 16, 30, 1-3:30 p.m.
The cost of the Marine Wildlife Cruises is $35 adults, $22 for children, ages 4-12 (for Institute members, $22 adults, $19 children). Cost includes admission to the Ocean Education Center. For additional information, visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org.
Jim Graves
