Hipolito Bouchard, a pirate from Argentina, found the cove at Dana Point a safe haven. In 1818, he docked his pirate fleet in the cove while his sailors were raiding and setting fire to parts of nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano. This event is recreated at the annual Pirate Festival held in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. There is a ten lane launch ramp, dry boat storage hoist, fishing pier, shipyard, marine fuel dock, three yacht clubs and a commercial sports fishing operation which also offers whale watching trips during the migration season. Numerous restaurants and stores offer good food in a beautiful setting in either Mariner's Village or the Dana Wharf areas. The Orange County Marine Institute, located at the far west end of Dana Point Harbor, is a unique educational experience for both children and adults. The facility provides classroom instruction, wet laboratory equipment, display tanks, and exhibits to study marine life. A seventy foot research vessel "Sea Explorer" provides daily cruises to study and observe marine life offshore. Just beyond the base of the breakwater lies the Marine Life Refuge, a protected area for observing marine life in the tide pools at the base of the majestic bluffs overlooking the ocean.