Avast! Dana Point's Annual Maritime Festival Hits The Harbor

DANA POINT, CA — Batten down the hatches — this year's Maritime Festival is returning to the Dana Point Harbor to give landlubbers a taste of the salty sea. Attendees can dine with mermaids and pan for gold at this three-day event at the Maritime Institute in Dana Point, and even witness a live cannon battle — all while learning about maritime history.

Last year, residents were only able to enjoy the annual event virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, the event is returning to Dana Point in a big way — with interactive, hands-on exhibits including shark touch tanks and a lesson from Cap'n Jack's Pirate School.

Other activities include:

• Mermaid breakfast
• Tall ship tours (every 15 minutes)
• Sailor's life tours
• Gold-panning, scrimshaw, morse code and an archaeology dig
• Scavenger hunt
• Arts & crafts
• Cannon battles
• Food trucks, vendors and more

The event also features live music and the chance to join "American Idol" contestant Casey Abrams for the Sails n' Ales craft beer tasting event on opening night.

The annual Maritime Festival in sponsored by Toshiba and takes place Sept. 10 through Sept. 12. Free parking and shuttles are provided, and more information about activities and ticket prices can be found on the online Maritime Festival guide.