Estuarium

The Estuarium is an exciting educational public aquarium highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, a 7,000 gallon sting ray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk. This facility has 31 aquariums totaling over 30,000 gallons with more than 100 species on display. The Estuarium showcases the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats.

Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the Estuarium will leave you with a broader understanding of the interactions that take place in Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States.

Winter Hours	Summer Hours
September 1- February 28/29	March 1 - August 31
Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm	Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

ADMISSION

Adult $11.00
Children (5-18) or Students with ID $6.00
Seniors $9.00

For more information, you can always call 251-861-7500.

*Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Group rates available by reservation with at least 48 hours notice. To schedule, contact Amy Hannah at 251-861-2141 x7070 or fill out the online reservation form.

The Estuarium is closed on the following days:

Easter Sunday
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve Day
New Year's Day

Pet Policy: No pets are allowed in the DISL Estuarium. However, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Alabama law, a service dog that is trained to perform tasks or do work for a person with a disability will be allowed to enter.

Shirts and shoes required. No bikini tops. No open containers allowed.

Boardwalk Talks

The Boardwalk Talk series is a free, public program on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, at 11:15 a.m. Come to the Estuarium to participate in a dialog with the experts, including researchers, graduate students, post docs, educators, aquarists and technicians. These informal chats encompass a broad range of science topics.

Summer Excursions

Fun for the whole family!

For All Ages (Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Program Cost: $12 per person. Space is limited so reservations are recommended.
Reservation Form
Time and location: 9:45-12:15, meet at the Estuarium
Questions: E-mail summerexcursions@disl.org or call (251) 861-2141 ext. 7545.

SALT MARSH SUMMER EXCURSION

2019 Dates: June 20, July 11, July 16, July 25, and August 1

DISL reserves the right to cancel in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.

Salt marshes are not monotonous expanses of grass; they’re fascinating coastal wetlands that are critical to our estuary system. Be a marine scientist for a day, and use seine nets, buckets, shovels, and sieve boxes to collect samples, including crabs, snails, and fish (we’ll release animals back to the marsh). You’ll learn about the important role salt marshes play in the Gulf of Mexico and how they support the seafood we enjoy.

After meeting at the Estuarium, you’ll be transported by bus to the Dauphin Island salt marsh to explore this vital ecosystem.

What to wear: Proper footwear is very important for your safety and enjoyment. Because of sharp oyster shells, participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes that tie or strap on, such as old tennis shoes. Please no flip-flops, Crocs or rubber boots as they get ‘eaten’ by the marsh mud. Wear clothes that can get wet and muddy. Showers and changing facilities will be available after the marsh trip.

What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes and shoes, bag for muddy items

BEACH DUNE AND MARITIME FOREST EXCURSION

2019 Dates: June 4, June 11, June 25, and July 2

DISL reserves the right to cancel in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.

There’s more to a barrier island than sand and water – the beach is a thriving habitat with a dynamic dune system and fascinating plants and animals, and higher elevations are covered by lush forest. We’ll walk through the maritime forest, then on to the dunes and beach.

You will learn about plants that Indians and colonists used and the benefits of an intact dune system. You’ll see many coastal animals; occasional highlights include osprey, alligators, and dolphins. You’ll dig for mole crabs that live in the surf zone and chase scuttling ghost crabs. We’ll bring hand nets and critter containers so we can get an up-close look.

What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes for the beach and forest. Light-weight clothes for hot summer temperatures. If you’re eager to get wet, feel free to dress accordingly, though getting wet can be avoided.

What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, bug spray, change of clothes and shoes, bag for wet items

Rays of the Bay Webcam

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Mobile Delta Tank Webcam

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Large Tank Feeding Times

Mobile Delta Tank, Mobile Bay Tank, and Gulf of Mexico Tank

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: 11:00 am

Ray of the Bay Tank

Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

** Times subject to change based on employee availability and weather. **

Dauphin Island Weather

Click a link below to view the current weather at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Curricula for School Groups

Estuarium Activity

Estuarium Activity Keys

Specific Activity Sheets

All documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to open and print these files.

Directions

From Interstate 10, take Exit 17A to Dauphin Island. Once on the Island, take a left at the water tower; the Estuarium is 2 miles on the left. Parking is free. The address is 102 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Want to Volunteer at the Estuarium?

For people who enjoy meeting a wide range of visitors, and who love to share their enthusiasm for the environment, the Estuarium provides a wonderful opportunity to get involved. Show eager students and visitors how ticklish horseshoe crabs are, talk to the public about important marine problems, guide school groups around exhibits, and much more. Volunteers will receive extensive training, numerous benefits, and the chance to meet and greet visitors from right down the street to across the country.

To become an Estuarium docent volunteer, contact Jamelle Roy at (251) 861-2141 x7545 or email: volunteer@disl.org.

Download Volunteer Application