The Ocean Institute is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1977, located in Dana Point Harbor, offering hands-on marine science, environmental education, and maritime history programs. It features educational exhibits, aquariums, and ocean adventures including public and private charters on the 118-ft. schooner Spirit of Dana Point for coastal sails, corporate team building, and events, as well as whale and marine life tours aboard the 65' research vessel RV Sea Explorer.

RockenReel Sportfishing offers fishing, harbor cruises, whale watching, and coastal scenic boat charters out of Orange County's Dana Point Harbor in Southern California. Owned by Captain Steve and his wife, they operate a fleet including a 34-foot Wellcraft Scarab 'ROCKENREEL' at Gate #17 and a newer boat 'S.S. TARTAR SAUCE' at Gate #5, providing family-friendly, high-performance charters on luxury vessels targeting multiple species seasonally with techniques like fly line, troll, bottom, and drift.