Background

Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Explore Alabama's underwater world: Discover marine life and coastal habitats at the Alabama Aquarium on Dauphin Island.

4.6

Discover coastal Alabama's diverse marine life at the Alabama Aquarium on Dauphin Island. Explore exhibits showcasing the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, barrier islands, and the Gulf of Mexico. With interactive displays and a stingray touch pool, it's an educational experience for all ages.

A brief summary to Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

  • Monday 9 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the aquarium's website for special events and educational programs during your visit [20].
  • Arrive early, especially during peak season, to avoid crowds [20].
  • Participate in the 'Rays of the Bay' touch tank experience [20].
  • Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Fort Gaines or the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary [4, 20].
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    From Interstate 10, take Exit 17A to Dauphin Island [3, 19]. Follow AL-193 South for approximately 29 miles to Dauphin Island [9]. Once on the island, turn left at the water tower; the Alabama Aquarium is 2 miles on the left at 102 Bienville Blvd [3]. Parking is free [3, 4].

  • Ferry

    From Fort Morgan, take the Mobile Bay Ferry to Dauphin Island [3, 5, 8]. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes [5, 8]. From the Dauphin Island Ferry landing, the Alabama Aquarium is a short drive east on Bienville Blvd [10]. The ferry cost is $16 for a car and driver, plus $4.50 for each additional passenger [5]. Adults without cars are $5.00 each [5].

Unlock the Best of Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab offers a captivating glimpse into the diverse aquatic ecosystems of coastal Alabama [3, 16, 17]. Formerly known as the Estuarium, this facility serves as the public outreach arm of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), Alabama’s primary marine education and research center [20]. The aquarium showcases four key habitats: the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico [3, 17]. Visitors can explore a 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall featuring over 100 species of plants and animals [17, 18]. Highlights include a 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool where you can interact with Atlantic, Blutnose, and Cownose Stingrays, and a Living Marsh Boardwalk to observe local flora and fauna [16, 18]. Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive displays, the Alabama Aquarium enriches the understanding of the interactions within Mobile Bay, the fourth-largest estuary system in the United States [3, 6, 16]. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab also provides excursions to DISL research labs and local ecosystems, including salt marsh explorations and guided tours [4, 20].

Popular Experiences near Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Popular Hotels near Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Select Currency