Notes about your surroundings

Sea Tours--It’s been a busy summer at the Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point, which has built a number of new programs around its new 70-foot research vessel, the R/V Sea Explorer. Among the weekly offerings:

* An “underwater interactive audio-video cruise,” in which visitors are able to use the newest underwater communications technologies to interact with Marine Institute divers as they explore reefs and kelp forests (Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $22 for adults and $16 for children 12 and under).

* A bioluminescence night cruise, which explores the ocean animals active at night, including glowing plankton, fish and worms (Saturdays, 8:30 to 11 p.m., $22 for adults and $16 for children 12 and under).

* The marine wildlife dusk cruise, an exploration of life just beyond the waves. Special equipment is used to collect and observe microscopic plankton, ocean floor sediment and bottom-dwelling animals (Fridays, 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 5 to 8 p.m., $22 for adults and $16 for children 12 and under).

* The harbor eco-tour, a 1 1/2-hour excursion that introduces visitors to harbor marine life and local maritime history (Thursday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under).

Another new program, one that stays on land, is called a beachcomber’s guide to the marine life refuge. Participants will join marine biologists as they sort through the natural clues left by the day’s waves and tides and learn more about the life just beyond the waves. This program runs on Sundays, with times determined by the tides. (Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.)

Several additional programs are held aboard the tall ship Pilgrim, moored at the institute. These include a free open house, held Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Educational displays and a gift shop are housed in the main institute building, and tide pools are open to the public in the adjacent marine life refuge.

Fee programs can sell out, so reservations are recommended. The marine institute is at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive in Dana Point. For information, call (714) 496-2274.