Give your students a dynamic day of learning on the water with Educational Field Trips by Harbor Breeze Cruises. Departing from Los Angeles or Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, our curriculum-aligned cruises bring marine science to life through hands-on observation, guided interpretation, and real-world coastal context. We offer five unique, educational, fully narrated cruises, so teachers can choose the experience that best supports their learning goals and grade level.
Onboard, trained naturalists and experienced captains introduce key topics such as food webs, migration, adaptations, and human impacts on the ocean. Students observe seabirds, sea lions, and seasonal marine life while practicing data collection skills like species notes and behavioral observations. We supplement the experience with age-appropriate explanations and Q&A, helping learners connect classroom concepts to the living marine environment. Throughout the trip, narration remains lively and accessible, keeping students engaged from cast-off to docking.
Safety and accessibility come first. Our USCG-inspected vessels provide stable seating, rail-height viewing, restrooms, and sheltered cabin space—ideal for classes across grade levels. We coordinate boarding, group seating, and timing to keep the day smooth for teachers and chaperones. Special pricing is available for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, making it easier for schools to plan enriching experiences within budget.
Trips typically run 1–2 hours with flexible departure windows to fit your schedule. Ask about educator resources, pre-trip classroom prompts, and post-trip activities that reinforce standards in science and environmental literacy. Title I and district groups are welcome; our team can provide documentation and invoices to match school requirements.
Whether you’re launching a new unit or celebrating the end of the year, an Educational Field Trip at sea inspires curiosity, observation, and respect for the ocean. Contact our group desk for school rates, available dates, and customization options, and let’s plan a memorable learning experience your students will talk about long after they return to class.
All of the field trips we offer are Los Angeles Unified School District Vendor Approved, Licensed and Insured.
Our educational field trips are curriculum-aligned marine science cruises — not standard public tours. Trained naturalists guide students through topics including ocean food webs, whale migration, animal adaptations, and human impacts on marine ecosystems. Students engage in active observation, species identification, and behavioral data collection, reinforcing what they are studying in the classroom with real-world, hands-on experience.
We offer several different narrated educational cruise experiences. Each is built around specific learning objectives, so teachers can select the program that best fits their grade level and curriculum goals. Contact us for a full description of each option.
Harbor Breeze partners with trained naturalists for educational cruises. Please confirm at the time of booking which naturalist program is included with your selected cruise, as this can vary by departure location and cruise type.
Our educational cruises are designed to serve a range of grade levels from elementary through high school. Different cruise options have different topical focuses, and our team can help match you with the program best suited to your students’ age and curriculum. Reach out to discuss your specific class needs.
Educational field trips depart from two locations: West Harbor in San Pedro and Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. Both offer clear group boarding procedures, convenient parking, and accessible facilities for school groups.
We strongly recommend booking as early as possible. Spring semester is our busiest season for school groups, and popular dates fill quickly. Reaching out several weeks or months in advance helps ensure you secure your preferred date, departure location, and cruise type.
Our vessels accommodate a range of group sizes. Contact us with your estimated student and chaperone count and we will recommend the right vessel. Options for large groups or multi-class bookings are available.
Yes. Group reservations for educational field trips can be arranged by purchase order. Contact our team directly to discuss group booking options and payment methods.
Please contact our group bookings team for our current chaperone and teacher ticket policy, including any complimentary adult spots and recommended supervision ratios. We are experienced in coordinating school groups and will walk you through all the details.
We understand school schedules can be disrupted by weather, testing schedules, or unforeseen events. Contact our group bookings team to discuss our current cancellation and rescheduling policies for educational field trips.
Yes. All Harbor Breeze vessels are USCG-inspected and operated by licensed, experienced captains. Our boats feature stable seating, rail-height viewing areas, enclosed cabin space, and onboard restrooms — everything a school group needs for a safe and comfortable outing.
Students observe marine life in their natural habitat, participate in naturalist-led narration and Q&A, and practice data collection skills such as species identification and behavioral observation. The experience is designed to be hands-on and directly tied to the marine science curriculum.
Students should dress in layers — it is often significantly cooler on the water than on land, even on sunny days. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety. Sunscreen, a light jacket, and a hat are helpful. Notebooks or data collection worksheets can be brought for observation activities.
Yes, and we encourage it. Pre-visit lessons on marine food webs, whale migration, and ocean ecosystems meaningfully enrich what students observe and retain during the cruise. Ask us whether pre-visit materials or curriculum guides are available to support your class preparation.
