Oceanic Society

What Oceanic Society does

Oceanic Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Ross, California, self-described as America's oldest ocean conservation nonprofit. The organization operates a portfolio of three integrated lines of work: (1) Conservation Travel Expeditions — small-group, naturalist-led snorkeling, scuba, and wildlife trips to destinations including Fiji, Indonesia (Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Banda Sea, Komodo, Wakatobi), Baja California, Belize (Turneffe Atoll), Palau, Micronesia, Tonga, Costa Rica, Kenya, and polar regions, priced from approximately $6,295 to $10,950 per person; (2) Farallon Islands Whale Watching — day-trip and private charter departures from San Francisco, recognized with the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award; and (3) Conservation Programs — including sea turtle research and grantmaking (21 grants in 2025-26), the Global Ocean Cleanup initiative (14 countries in 2026; 78,477 lbs of waste removed in 2024), behavior-change programming through BlueHabits.org, the Access to Nature Bay Area youth program, and the Traveler Plastic Pollution Offset Program launched in 2022. Field-research technology centers on a long-running Blackbird Caye Field Station on Turneffe Atoll, Belize, where hydrophone-based dolphin acoustic monitoring, photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins from a catalog dating to 1993, and satellite tracking of leatherback sea turtles produce peer-reviewed datasets that feed the State of the World's Sea Turtles (SWOT) Report co-founded by co-CEO Brian Hutchinson and inform the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack. Earned revenue comes from expedition fees, whale watching ticket and charter sales, and merchandise sold via a Square-powered storefront. Philanthropic revenue comes from one-time and recurring donations (cash, stock, cryptocurrency, legacy/planned giving), the membership program (introduced May 2020, with the Explorers Circle tier added in 2026), and symbolic animal adoptions for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and albatrosses. A portion of traveler revenue is directed into local conservation through the Expedition Impact Program. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website (oceanicsociety.org), powered by Checkfront for booking and Stripe/PayPal/Square for payment, supplemented by toll-free phone sales and co-branded expeditions with museums, aquariums, universities, and partners such as Planet Deep and the Coral Triangle Center. Corporate partnerships (Seiko Prospex, SC Johnson, SodaStream, Planet Oat, Koala Eco, Plaine Products) provide cause-marketing reach. The organization employs 11–50 staff across its Ross, CA headquarters, a Washington, DC office, and the Belize field station, supported by a broader network of expedition naturalists, researchers, interns, and volunteers.

Name

Oceanic Society

Legal name

Oceanic Society

Website

https://oceanicsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oceanic Society is a 501(c)(3) ocean conservation nonprofit founded in 1969 that runs naturalist-led conservation travel expeditions, Farallon Islands whale watching, sea turtle research and grantmaking, and a global ocean cleanup program for individual travelers, donors, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Travel and Marine Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation travel
• Marine wildlife expeditions
• Snorkeling scuba trips
• Whale watching tours
• Nonprofit conservation fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Ross

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conservation travel expeditions: Multi-day, all-inclusive guided snorkeling, scuba, and wildlife expeditions priced per person per trip (e.g., Fiji 11-day from $6,375; Baja 11-day liveaboard $6,295; Coral Triangle 15-day $9,975; Raja Ampat–Halmahera 12-day $10,950). Includes accommodations, meals, activities, ground transport, naturalist guide, and conservation contributions via the Expedition Impact Program.
2. Whale watching ticket sales: Day-trip whale watching departures to the Farallon Islands from San Francisco, plus private charter bookings; ticketed via the website and phone (1-415-256-9604).
3. Membership program: Annual membership program ('Become a Member of Oceanic Society') providing recurring donor support; introduced May 2020 as part of ongoing donor stewardship.
4. Donations (cash, stock, crypto, legacy, planned giving): Multi-channel donation program including one-time and recurring donations, donate stock, donate cryptocurrency, legacy/planned giving, and corporate partnerships; marketed as 'Fight Plastic Pollution' and 'Ways to Give'.
5. Symbolic animal adoptions: Symbolic adoption programs for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and albatrosses, including named whales and satellite-tracked leatherbacks — a recurring donation product tied to species conservation.
6. Merchandise and shop sales: Online storefront at oceanic-society.square.site selling branded merchandise, eco-friendly gifts, and guides.
7. Conservation grants program (outflow, not revenue): Disburses community conservation grants and sea turtle conservation grants worldwide (21 grants in 2025-26; 19 in 2023-24; 20 in 2024-25; 18 in 2022). Funds primarily raised via donations and a share of expedition revenue through the Expedition Impact Program.
8. Co-branded expedition revenue: Joint expeditions offered with partner organizations (museums, aquariums, universities, Planet Deep), with registration and revenue shared per co-branded trip terms and each partner's own privacy policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Oceanic Society sells guided conservation travel expeditions (multi-day snorkeling, wildlife, volunteer, family, and custom trips to destinations such as Fiji, Baja California, Raja Ampat, and the Coral Triangle) and Farallon Islands whale watching day trips out of San Francisco. Each expedition contributes a portion of revenue to local ocean conservation through the Expedition Impact Program. The organization also raises funds via memberships, donations, symbolic animal adoptions (dolphin, whale, sea turtle, albatross), merchandise sales, and global sea turtle conservation grantmaking.

Product overview

Oceanic Society is America's oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation (since 1969). Its offering is a portfolio of conservation services unified around a core Conservation Travel Expeditions product (snorkeling, wildlife, volunteer, family, custom, and liveaboard trips), complemented by a flagship Farallon Islands Whale Watching service, the Expedition Impact Program (which directs traveler revenue into local conservation), the Global Ocean Cleanup initiative, and the Sea Turtle Conservation Program (including SWOT reports and global grantmaking). Supporting modules include the Behavior Change for Ocean Health program, Access to Nature (Bay Area youth programs such as Critter Scholars), Symbolic Animal Adoptions (dolphin, whale, sea turtle, albatross), the Membership Program / Explorers Circle, the Oceanic Society Magazine, the Traveler Plastic Pollution Offset Program, the Online Shop (Square storefront), and operational research facilities such as the Blackbird Caye Field Station in Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Together these products combine paid travel experiences, donor-funded programs, and educational content to fund and execute marine conservation globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Travel Expeditions Guided multi-day snorkeling, wildlife, volunteer, family, and custom/private conservation travel expeditions across global destinations including Fiji, Baja California, Raja Ampat, the Coral Triangle, and the Farallon Islands. Each expedition channels revenue into local ocean conservation through the Expedition Impact Program.
• Farallon Islands Whale Watching Day-trip whale watching excursions from San Francisco to the Farallon Islands, including a dedicated Farallon Islands Wildlife Expedition; recognized with the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Program Global sea turtle conservation initiative featuring the State of the World's Sea Turtles (SWOT) Report, satellite-tracked leatherback turtles, and annual grantmaking to community-based conservation projects worldwide (21 grants in 2025-26).
• Global Ocean Cleanup Worldwide cleanup initiative uniting organizations, artists, and brands to fight ocean plastic pollution, including an annual Global Ocean Cleanup Art Competition; 2024 results: 78,477 pounds of waste removed.
• Expedition Impact Program Program that directs a portion of traveler fees to local ocean conservation projects, coral restoration, and plastic pollution offset initiatives in visited destinations, including annual grantmaking.
• Symbolic Animal Adoptions Symbolic adoption program allowing supporters to adopt a dolphin, whale, sea turtle, or albatross; includes named whales (Humpback Heroes Hall) and named/satellite-tracked sea turtles as recurring donation products.
• Membership Program Recurring annual membership program (including the Explorers Circle tier) launched in 2020 to support ongoing ocean conservation work and provide ongoing donor engagement.
• Oceanic Society Online Shop E-commerce storefront hosted on Square for branded merchandise, eco-friendly gifts, and travel guides, with proceeds supporting ocean conservation.
• Traveler Plastic Pollution Offset Program Service allowing travelers to offset the plastic pollution generated during their trips via Oceanic Society-supported cleanup and plastic diversion initiatives.
• Community Conservation Grants Annual grantmaking program funding community-based sea turtle conservation projects globally (multiple rounds issued 2013-2026, e.g., 21 grants in 2025-26 cycle).
• Whale Watching Charters (Private) Private whale watching charters out of San Francisco and Pillar Point Harbor for custom groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 lbs of ocean trash removed per traveler
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Seiko (Seiko Prospex)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2021Five-year strategic partnership (2020-2025) to support sea turtle conservation. Featured jointly in product marketing and conservation programming. Recognized as 'Seiko Prospex and Oceanic Society: 5 Years of Impactful Partnership' (May 2025).
• Planet OatcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 August 2021Partnership to build awareness for ocean conservation; promoted via Earth Day activations (e.g., 'Eat Noodles and Support Ocean Conservation this Earth Day', April 20, 2021).
• SC JohnsonflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 March 2019Partnership to drive public engagement on ocean conservation. Announced March 6, 2019 with the explicit goal of building ocean-conservation awareness.
• SodaStreamcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 September 2018Joint anti-plastic-pollution campaign ('Join Oceanic Society and SodaStream in Fighting Ocean Plastic Pollution', September 3, 2018).
• Planet DeepflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal research initiative dedicated to understanding, conserving, and responsibly protecting deep-diving marine megafauna. Partnered on Raja Ampat to Halmahera Remote Reefs Adventure (12-day liveaboard). Data collected on the liveaboard helps protect whale calving grounds, migration corridors, and contributes to IUCN Important Marine Mammal Areas.
• Koala EcocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCleaning and household supply company. Featured in Blue Habits Tips Q&A (September 27, 2023) and at the April 2026 Earth Day campaign. Co-founder Jessica Bragdon joined the Oceanic Society Advisory Council (May 4, 2026).
• Plaine ProductsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPersonal care company on a mission to reduce plastic waste. Featured in Blue Habits Tips (April 16, 2024).
• 5 SENSminorGTM or Marketing Partner5 SENS CEO Divya Gugnani Talks Sustainability and Supporting Oceanic Society's Global Ocean Cleanup (June 9, 2023).
• Coral Triangle CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on coral reef restoration and regenerative travel in Indonesia. Featured in 'Rebuilding Coral Reefs in Indonesia with the Coral Triangle Center' (March 10, 2026).
• Turneffe FlatsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term conservation partner in Belize on the Belize Barrier Reef ('Three Decades of Conservation Travel on Belize's Barrier Reef', April 2026). Turneffe Flats won Caribbean's Premier Sustainable Tourism Award in May 2026.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor used for expedition bookings and donations (referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section).
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor used for expedition bookings and donations (referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section).
• SquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor used for merchandise shop (oceanic-society.square.site) and donations (referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section).
• CheckfrontflagshipTechnology or IntegrationReservation system powering online expedition bookings (oceanicsociety.checkfront.com). Referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section.
• HubSpotcoreTechnology or IntegrationEmail marketing and CRM platform used for newsletters, donor communications, and CRM. Referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section.
• Google AnalyticscoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite analytics tool used to understand visitor behavior and improve site performance. Referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section.
• Meta (Meta Pixel)coreTechnology or IntegrationSocial media advertising and tracking pixel used for marketing measurement and audience targeting. Referenced in Privacy Policy third-party services section.
• Blackbird Caye ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdjacent dive operator (15-bungalow dive resort) near Oceanic Society's Blackbird Caye Field Station on Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Provides scuba diving opportunities to Oceanic Society interns, researchers, and expedition guests.
• IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrian Hutchinson serves as program officer of the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, contributing to global sea turtle conservation science and policy.
• Whales of Guerrero Research ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-running Oceanic Society research project studying humpback whales off Mexico's Pacific coast. Multiple field seasons documented (Seasons 4-5+).

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): Global conservation nonprofit with major ocean and species programs. Comparable conservation mission and IUCN ties, but much broader scope and brand reach than Oceanic Society.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation nonprofits with significant marine and island programs. Comparable in nonprofit conservation mission and global footprint, but operates at vastly larger scale and scope.
• Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Partners): Premium expedition cruise operator with National Geographic branding and science-partner programming. Operates overlapping marine expedition itineraries but at much larger scale and higher price points.

Emerging players

• Adventure Life: Small-group adventure and wildlife travel operator offering itineraries across many of the same regions as Oceanic Society (Galápagos, Raja Ampat, Baja, Belize). Comparable trip format and destinations.

Direct peers

• Natural Habitat Adventures: Conservation-focused nature travel operator offering small-group wildlife expeditions worldwide. Comparable product catalog, pricing tiers, and partner-with-NGO positioning.
• Earthwatch Institute: Citizen-science expedition nonprofit that pairs paying travelers with scientists in the field. Closely aligned with Oceanic Society's research-led conservation travel and naturalist model.
• International Expeditions: Nature and wildlife tour operator running small-group expeditions to similar marine and tropical destinations. Comparable trip length, naturalist-led format, and price points.
• Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF): Marine citizen-science nonprofit operating volunteer fish-survey trips and ocean conservation programs. Comparable citizen-science travel model and marine research focus.
• Sea Turtle Conservancy: Long-running sea turtle-focused nonprofit with research, conservation travel, and global grantmaking. Highly comparable to Oceanic Society's sea turtle program, SWOT contribution, and expedition model.
• SEE Turtles: Sea turtle conservation nonprofit that organizes volunteer and conservation travel trips. Directly comparable in species focus, volunteer expedition model, and donor-supported travel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanicSociety
• Xx.com/OceanicSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceanic-society

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oceanic Society