DANA POINT : Night Cruise Sheds Light on Sea Life

Being out in the middle of the ocean was a new experience for 9-year-old Tatiana Weston.

But while sailing aboard the Orange County Marine Institute’s Floating Laboratory last weekend, the youngster showed she was familiar with at least one form of marine life.

“Hey look, an anchovy,” Tatiana said to fellow members of her Huntington Beach Girl Scout troop. “We can put it on a pizza,” she joked, as she held the small fish between her fingers while her friends groaned in disgust.

Tatiana and her troop were among 45 passengers ranging from third-graders to grandparents who boarded the 65-foot vessel for the weekly cruise.

The popular 2 1/2-hour voyage, one of the institute’s summer programs, gives participants the chance to do some bird-watching, examine organisms collected with a plankton net and get a close-up look at marine life brought to the surface with a special net.

“This is nice because you get to see things up close,” said Ellen McDannel of San Juan Capistrano. “They do a good job of explaining things to the kids in detail but in a way that’s not boring to them. These are things you may see in a book, but it means so much more to see it come from the bottom of the ocean.”

Instructor Steve Grod said the day’s finding of about 15 species was impressive. Among them were a tiny octopus, a starfish, several species of rockfish, a large spider crab and a California skate, a flat, pancake-like fish that breathes through the top of its head.

Also spotted during the sunset cruise were several sea lions.

“We got some things tonight that we don’t usually find,” Grod said.

Institute officials said the twilight voyages give passengers an opportunity to view marine life, such as the tiny octopus, that may not be seen during the day. The creatures collected are released back into the ocean as the cruise returns to its base at Dana Point Harbor.

While the cruise proved educational, choppy waters put a damper on things for some seasick adults, including 34-year-old Anita Lombardo, a Pennsylvania resident vacationing in Orange County.

Lombardo smiled weakly as her two young children stood nearby staring at the marine life with wonder.

“If there was a helicopter, I’d pay $100 to be flown back,” Lombardo said grimly as she clutched a pole.

The cruise runs Fridays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $22 for adults, $11 for children ages 6 to 12. Registration is required. Call the Orange County Marine Institute at (714) 496-2274.