For Its 5th Anniversary, Miami’s World Ocean Celebration Launches Expanded Citywide Event Series for Ocean Awareness
- wgclients01
- May 31
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 1
From May 30 to June 8, 2025, Miami’s World Ocean Celebration (WOC), hosted by ARTSail and Blue Scholars Initiative, will commemorate its 5th anniversary with an expanded 9-day event series marking one of the largest community-focused ocean awareness initiatives in Miami’s recent history.
With 84 miles of coastline, Miami-Dade County is highly vulnerable to ocean-driven climate threats. Rising sea levels, projected to reach up to 40 inches by 2070, and warming waters are already harming local coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
At the same time, more than 2.7 million residents live within 15 miles of the ocean, creating a powerful opportunity to foster greater public understanding of ocean health and inspire collective action. Miami’s WOC embraces this vision by inviting the public into an uplifting dialogue about ocean conservation, one that moves beyond traditional crisis-focused environmental CTAs, focusing instead on improving the city’s' connection to the ocean through celebratory community participation.
This year’s anniversary edition will present 9-days of community-driven free and low-cost events to mobilize ocean action using diverse and engaging approaches such as art, music, education, and advocacy. These events connect residents and visitors alike to iconic Miami locations and are supported by 50+ local partner organizations. By strengthening ocean literacy and public engagement, WOC helps position Miami as a global voice for ocean conservation and cultural leadership, especially as national ocean protections face growing pressures.
Event highlights throughout the week include:
Ocean Action: Youth swim lessons, open-water swim, guided snorkeling at Miami Beach’s Nearshore Reef, cleanup in Biscayne National Park, and an all-ages Beach Activation day full of movement and action.
Culture and Music: Live Ocean Music concert with Donavon Frankenreiter at the Miami Beach Bandshell, plus a night of curated films from the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Foundation.
Art and Education: “Sheroes of the Ocean” panel, featuring a discussion with local female ocean conservation leaders at the 1 Hotel, and interactive work from WOC 2025 featured artist Lauren Shapiro’s Sand Relief, a participatory sand drawing installation, as well as the fifth edition of Ocean Flags, a life-size ocean-themed flag display on the sands of Miami Beach.
The event culminates on June 8th, the official UN-recognized World Ocean Day, at the Frost Museum of Science with interactive activities and special ocean presentations.
“WOC’s 5th anniversary marks a major milestone in advancing community-based ocean education in Miami. Meaningful environmental change begins at the local level, and WOC continues to grow by building from the ground up. By creating our 2025 WOC program around a multi-disciplinary, all-hands approach to ocean awareness, blending art, science, storytelling, and interactive beach activities, we can engage community members of all ages and backgrounds with the ocean in an accessible way."— Ombretta Agro’ Andruff, founder of ARTSail.
“For this expanded edition of World Ocean Celebration, we were reminded more than ever of the power of collaboration in creating lasting environmental impact. By bringing together 50+ mission-aligned partners, including nonprofits, artists, educators, scientists, local businesses, city-leadership, and cultural institutions, we created something larger than any single organization could achieve alone. The result is a 9-day citywide experience that will greatly strengthen Miami’s reputation as a force in ocean conservation.”— Adam Steckley, Executive Director, Blue Scholars Initiative.
Since its inception in 2021, WOC has mobilized over 500 volunteers, engaged 150 youth in art workshops, removed nearly 2,000 pounds of beach litter, and planted 250 native dune species. On the cultural front, WOC has showcased the work of 52 artists and filmmakers, elevated 23 female leaders through its “Sheroes of the Ocean” panel, and launched a six-county Florida tour of the International Ocean Film Festival.
For its expanded 5th anniversary, WOC will collaborate with over 50 partners and sponsors, including Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation, Ocean Bank, Dolphins & Rainbows Swim Group, Piper & Skye, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Miami Beach, and Edward S. Moore Family Foundation. Through a combination of free and affordable events, WOC continues to inspire ocean awareness across generations, helping shape a resilient future for Miami’s waters.
Find the complete agenda for World Ocean Celebration 2025 below:
*Registration for all events is available at worldoceancelebration.miami
DAY 1: Youth Ocean Art Reception
Date: Friday, May 30, 2025 | Time: 6:00–7:30pm | Location: Overtown Youth Center, 450 NW 14th St
Details: The 2025 World Ocean Celebration kicks off with the Youth Ocean Art Reception, showcasing artwork from students at Overtown Youth Center, The Motivational Edge, and Breakthrough Miami. Under the guidance of artist Lauren Shapiro, students integrated ecological education with various art forms. By invitation only.
Partners: Lauren Shapiro, Overtown Youth Center, The Motivational Edge, Breakthrough Miami
DAY 2: Nearshore Reef Guided Snorkel
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025 | Time: 8:00–10:00am | Location: 6th Street Lifeguard Tower, 601 Ocean Drive
Details: Explore the “Neon Reef” just off Miami Beach during this guided snorkel! This experience offers a chance to observe vibrant marine life and connect with local ecosystems, while learning from local ocean leaders.
What to Bring: Personal snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins); reef-safe sunscreen; reusable water bottle; long-sleeved rash guard. Free with registration and a signed waiver.
Partners: Urban Paradise Guild, Island Dreamer Sailing
DAY 3: Boca Chita Key Debris Cleanup
Date: Monday, June 2, 2025 | Time: 9:30am–1:00pm | Location: Biscayne Bay National Park, 9700 SW 328th St
Details: Volunteer for a debris cleanup at Boca Chita Key, helping protect wildlife and preserve this coastal area’s natural beauty all while exploring the wonders of Biscayne Bay National Park.
What to Bring: Sun protection (hat, glasses, long sleeve shirt/rash guard); reef-safe sunscreen; reusable water bottle. Free with registration and signed waiver. $25 deposit required to secure a spot, refundable after participation.
Partners: Biscayne National Park Institute, Florida National Parks Association
DAY 4: VIP Reception with Ocean Shero
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | Time: 6:00–8:00pm | Location: The Jewel Box, 2100 Biscayne Blvd
Details: Join us for an intimate evening with Shelby Thomas, CEO of Ocean Rescue Alliance, in conversation with ARTSail Founder and WOC Co-Founder Ombretta Agro’ Andruff at the iconic Jewel Box in Miami. Connect with fellow ocean advocates, artists, leaders, and community members and enjoy a night of ocean-gratitude with cocktails and light bites. By invitation only & for VIP Passholders.
Partners: YoungArts, Ocean Rescue Alliance International
DAY 5: Ocean Music Concert with Donavon Frankenreiter
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | Time: 7:00–10:00pm | Location: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave
Details: Enjoy an evening at Miami’s landmark Miami Beach Bandshell for live music show by Donavon Frankenreiter, life-long ocean enthusiast and supporter, whose acoustic surf rock creates an inspiring atmosphere for the community to come together in celebration of ocean conservation. Ticketed.
Partners: Rhythm Foundation, Miami Beach Bandshell
DAY 6: Ocean StorySLAM
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 | Time: 7:00–9:00pm | Location: Miami Beach Regional Library Auditorium, 227 22nd St
Details: Experience ocean adventures of all-kinds through storytelling! At the Ocean StorySLAM, stories will take center stage as ocean leaders from all over our community share their experiences and relationship with the sea. To conclude the SLAM, audience members will vote and award the top 3 storytellers through their phones. Awards provided by the Biscayne National Park Institute.
What to Bring: An open mind and heart for captivating stories. Free with registration.Partners: Miami-Dade Public Library System, The Traveling Ranger
DAY 7: Sheroes of the Ocean Panel
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 | Time: 7:00–9:00pm | Location: 1 Hotel South Beach, Ballroom Terra I, 2341 Collins Ave
Details: Hear from powerful local female ocean-leaders at the annual Sheroes of the Ocean panel, where they will share their journeys, challenges, and accomplishments in ocean conservation across many diverse fields. This year’s conversation, moderated by ARTSail Founder and WOC Co-Founder Ombretta Agro’ Andruff, will explore how each participant’s work is helping sustain the ocean, improve ecosystems, spread ocean awareness, and ultimately preserve marine biodiversity for future generations. Ticketed.
Panelists: Dr. Catherine Macdonald, Adriana Sanchez, Lauren Shapiro, Shelby Thomas, Danni Washington
Partners: 1 Hotel South Beach, Sheroes of the Ocean
DAY 8 PART I: Beach Day Activation
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 | Time: 8:00am–12:00pm | Location: 35th Street Beach, 3501 Collins Ave.
Details: Celebrate the ocean by the ocean! During the WOC Beach Day Activation, come together for a morning full of family-friendly activities, designed to inspire a deeper connection for our blue planet. From movement experiences including swimming lessons, 1-mile swim challenge, pilates, and a ceremonial paddleout to advocacy such as beach cleanups and dune restoration, there is something for everyone. In between activities, reflect with art installations including interactive work from WOC 2025 featured artist Lauren Shapiro’s Sand Relief, a participatory sand drawing installation, as well as the fifth edition of Ocean Flags, a life-size ocean-themed flag display on the sands of Miami Beach.
What to Bring: Sun protection (hat, glasses, long sleeve shirt, beach umbrella); reef-safe sunscreen; reusable water bottle. Free with registration and signed waiver.
Partners: Full Circle Coaching, Pilates For The People, Miami Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Breathe & Splash Swim School, and more! See here for a full list.
DAY 8 PART II: International Ocean Film Festival
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 | Time: 5:00–8:00pm | Location: Rosenstiel School Auditorium, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
Details: Travel the oceans of the world with an exclusive selection of ocean-themed films from San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival. Hosted at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences, the evening begins with a cocktail by the bay, followed by a participatory sand drawing activation by artist Lauren Shapiro and culminating in the film screening. Ticketed.
Partners: International Ocean Film Festival, Ocaquatics Swim School, Ripples of Impact, SALT Waterfront Restaurant
DAY 9: Frost Science: World Ocean Day 2025
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025 | Time: 11:00am–3:00pm | Location: Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd
Details: Conclude the 2025 World Ocean Celebration with a visit to the Frost Museum for a day focused on marine conservation. Learn from local experts about coral reefs, ocean health, and plastic cleanup initiatives. Free with museum admission.
Partners: Frost Science
ABOUT THE EVENT