World Ocean Day is celebrated across the globe on the 8th June every year. It is an important opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the ocean’s vital roles in our daily life. Ocean literacy levels are low in most countries, hindering action to tackle the climate and ecological crisis. From family festivals to music events and ship tours, there are a wide range of exciting events happening in Maritime museums.
Read on to find out more about the World Ocean Day events happening across the globe. If you would like to add your activity, please add your details here
Deutsches Hafenmuseum. Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg / German Port Museum (Germany)
Historical vessel tours and concert
8th June 2024
To mark World Ocean Day, the German Port Museum is offering a program around the sailing ship Peking. From 1911 to 1932, she sailed around Cape Horn to Chile using only wind power. Visitors can join guided tours to learn more about the ship and non-fossil fuel dependent travel.
For music lovers, in the evening there will be a concert with Irmelin Sloman. She is the great-granddaughter of the saltpetre (Potassium Nitrate) trader Henry Brarens Sloman. Irmelin will also share photographs from her family album linked to the Saltpetre trade for the first time.
Maritime Museum, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Interactive artwork and engagement activities
8th June 2024
Continuing the Museum’s ongoing activity programme following the Darwin 200 project and journey of the tall ship Oosterschelde carrying 200 young researchers and activists retracing the journey of Darwin on the HMS Beagle, this year’s World Ocean Day will focus on Whales.
A new, interactive artwork by artist Gabriele Nasole uses an enlarged whale ear bone to remind us of the importance of sound underwater. In a playful way, by making the visitor hold their breath, the impressive installation confronts us, humans, with our sonic footprint. Darwin leader Iro Tsarmpopoulou-Fokianou researched the impact of human sound on the highly social pilot whales. In addition, children can participate in a workshop to paint sea creatures on the old mizzen sail of the Oosterschelde, which will be hoisted when the ship returns in Rotterdam from its world voyage in 2025 and visitors can also help clean the canals in the Maritime District on a special boat tour.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona (Spain)
Immersive Adventure
9th June 2024
At the museum’s planetarium visitors can join a free immersive adventure to dive deep into the ocean and learn more about the ecosystems and species of the Mediterranean. What species do we find in the Mediterranean? What ecosystems are there, and what are their main threats? Visitors can learn about different types of research ships and experience the unexplored ocean via a Bathysphere.
Museo Marítimo Nacional (Chile)
Temporary exhibition
7th June – 31st August 2024
Temporary exhibition on underwater exploration within Chilean waters. The exhibition will feature both historical and more recent expeditions. A number of organisations including the Chilean Navy, universities and specialist NGOs will be represented.
The Museum aims to increase visitors’ knowledge of the deep ocean and future challenges to increase maritime awareness in Chile.
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (UK)
Family Festival
8th June
This year’s World Ocean Day festival, join our trail across the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and Greenwich Park to discover exciting activities linking to the seven ocean literacy principles. There will be the opportunity to meet real scientists studying plankton, experience the British Antarctic Survey polar research camp, or join a craft workshop and story time at the Giant turtle. There will be gallery tours exploring our connection to the ocean including from the museum’s Pacific community advisory group.
Vancouver Maritime Museum in partnership with Canoe Cultures (Canada)
Vancouver Maritime Museum and Canoe Cultures presents World Ocean Day
8th June 2024
This World Ocean Day the museum invites visitors to come together to celebrate the stories, knowledge, and traditions that connect us to our oceans and to each other. Visitors will be able to immerse in the enduring legacy of the Coast Salish peoples and be part of a community united by the waves.
Dive into the day with captivating canoe demonstrations, highlighting the artistry and skill that have navigated the waters of this region for centuries. Learn about traditional Coast Salish medicine and food, understanding the natural bounty that the ocean offers and the wisdom in its use.
Vrak – Museum of Wrecks (Sweden)
Evening Event
8th June 2024
During the day visitors to the museum can learn about shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea including experiencing virtual dives. In the evening visitors can join a special evening event to learn about Voice of the Ocean – a foundation that conducts, supports, and promotes science and communication regarding the sea and its dynamic processes. Following the lecture there will be live music at the museum bar.
The Vrak’s gift shop offers a sustainable range of products all year including sunglasses from recycled trawl nets and organic t-shirts.
Images copyright of NMM (Royal Museums Greenwich)