The Ocean Institute is pleased to participate in the City of Dana Point’s annual Festival of Whales celebration the weekends of March 5-6 and 12-13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (ticket sales end at 3 p.m.). The event celebrates the annual migration of the gray whales off our coast.
During the festival weekends, the Ocean Institute hosts a hands-on journey into the mysterious and captivating world of whales in our Ocean Education Center, allowing visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. Visitors follow the migration of the gray whales, starting in Baja, moving on to the California coast, and ending up in Alaska.
Along the way there will be opportunities to investigate how whales communicate and eat, to see how changes to the marine environment affects them, and to learn about ongoing research.
Additional activities include hands-on dissections, animal feedings, driving a remotely operated vehicle, and touch tanks with sea stars and other tide pool animals. Visitors may also explore the underwater world and participate in pop-up experiments in our Headlands and Beyond exhibit.
Cost is $10 adults (age 13-64), $7.50 seniors (65+) & youth (age 2-12); Ocean Institute members free. Cruises and sails are an additional cost.
Cruise opportunities offered in conjunction with the Institute’s participation in the City of Dana Point’s Festival of Whales celebration include:
Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventure – The Ocean Institute is offering two Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventures on-board its tall ship Spirit of Dana Point on Saturday, March 5 & 12, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
From “Devil Fish” to “Friendliest Whale,” explore how time and discovery has shaped man’s perception of the magnificent gray whale. Participants will enjoy an exciting tall ship sail and gain new insight on man’s evolving relationship with the ocean and the whales that travel our California coastline.
Cost is $70 adults (18-54), $60 senior (55+) and active duty military with ID, and $50 children (4-17) and includes admission to the Ocean Institute. (Members receive a 10% discount.)
Whale Watching Cruises – The Ocean Institute will present a series of Gray Whale Adventure Cruises on its 70-foot R/V Sea Explorer.
The cruises will give participants an opportunity to see fish, dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife along the Southern California coastline. Cruise dates during Festival of Whales: March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. each day.
Prices are $45 for adult (18-54), $35 senior (55+) and active duty military with ID, and $25 for children (age 4-17). Ocean Institute members receive a 10% discount, and groups of four or more receive a 25% discount.
Cruise information may be obtained by calling the Ocean Institute at (949) 496-2274. Register online at www.ocean-institute.org.
For complete festival information throughout the city, visit www.festivalofwhales.com.
Throughout the year, the Ocean Institute also offers organized family programs, summer camps, cruises, tallship sails, and other unique events including our annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival and the Festival of Whales.
Address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629 Website: www.ocean-institute.org Phone: (949) 496-2274
Jim Graves
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