DANA POINT, Calif. – The Ocean Institute will join in the City of Dana Point’s annual Festival of Whales celebration (see www.festivalofwhales.org) the weekends of March 7 & 8 and 14 & 15 with presentations by noted experts on whales, hands-on exhibits and exciting Living History re-enactments.
Speakers:
On March 7 8, 12:30 p.m., guest speaker to be announced.
On March 14 & 15, 12:30 p.m., Captain Mike Bursk of the Ocean Institute’s RV Sea Explorer will share his special knowledge of the gray whale gathered in part during his study of gray whales off the coast of Baja California.
Exhibits
On both weekends, the Institute’s learning labs will focus on new discoveries in marine mammal research and allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to the whale. Visitors, for example, can listen to underwater whale sounds; children can enjoy hands-on activities, including arts & crafts.
Living History Presentations
The weekend will also include Living History presentations of life onboard whaling ships of the 19th century.
On each day of the festival, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Institute will present Thar She Blows!, living history demonstrations and activities that offer visitors a glimpse into life at sea during the early whaling days.
Cruises & Sails
For an additional charge, the Institute offers Marine Mammal Cruises that go in search of the migrating gray whale. Marine Mammal Cruises to provide participants with a ship-board view of gray 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 last 2 ½ hours; trips in 2009 include:
January 25; February 8, 15, 21, 22 & 28; March 1, 22 & 29, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
February 14; March 1, 8, 14 & 15, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 7, 8, 14 & 15, 1:30 – 4 p.m.
The cost of the Marine Mammal 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 those who prefer to sail onboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point, the Ocean Institute offers A Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventure. The Adventure also goes in search of the gray whale and other ocean wildlife.
Upcoming cruise dates include March 7 & 14, 2 – 4:30 p.m.
The cost is $40 adults, $23 children, ages 4-12 (for Institute members, $36 adults, $21 children), includes weekend admission to the Ocean Institute.
For more information on cruises and sales or to make a reservation, visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.
All Festival of Whales events are free with paid admission to the Ocean Institute. Admission is free to members of the Institute. During the two weekends of the festival the Institute’s hours will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For information, visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.
Media Day – All credentialed media representatives are invited to join us on February 19, 1:45 p.m. for a two-hour whale-watching excursion, hosted by the Ocean Institute. RSVP by Monday, February 16 to Penny Elia at (949) 499-4499 or trademarkmg@cox.net.
Snacks and beverages will be served on board. Please note this is a fantastic photo opportunity, so please bring a photographer or your own camera.
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. – 6 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone number: (949) 496-2274.
2008 Business of the Year – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has selected the Ocean Institute as Dana Point’s “Business of the Year.” The award recognizes the positive contribution the Ocean Institute has made to the Dana Point community.
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Submitted By;
Jim Graves
