Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the Alabama Aquarium 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.
The Alabama Aquarium, formerly named the Estuarium, is an exciting educational venue highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico.
Feeding Time!
Chat with our Aquarist team as they feed our friends.
- Large outdoor touch tank feeding every day at 2 p.m. Learn about our stingrays as you get up-close.
- Indoor tank feedings Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Live Views
Mobile Bay
Our Mobile Bay camera gives you a live look at the largest tank in the Mobile Bay gallery. This tank features many fish you'd find around Middle Bay Lighthouse, including speckled trout and spadefish (the Sea Lab's mascot).
Rays of the Bay
Our Rays of the Bay exhibit currently features four species of ray, southern stingray, Atlantic stingray, bluntnose stingray, and cownose ray. Sharing the tank with our rays are bonnethead sharks and many striped and white mullet.
Location
The Alabama Aquarium is located on the eastern end of Dauphin Island, a 17-mile long barrier island approximately three miles from the mainland and thirty-five miles south of Mobile, Alabama.
Directions
From Interstate 10, take Exit 17A to Dauphin Island.
Once on the Island, take a left at the water tower; the Alabama Aquarium is 2 miles on the left. Parking is free.
You can also ride the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan. See details and times.
Address
Visiting the Aquarium
Tickets
Purchase tickets
Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.
- $14.00 - Adults
- $6.00 - Children (5-18) or Students with ID
- $12.00 - Seniors (60+)
- Free - Children under 5
Ask about military and AAA discounts.
Groups
Group rates are available by reservation with at least 48 hours' notice. To schedule, contact Jamelle Roy at (251) 861-2141 ext.7545 or fill out the online reservation form.
Alabama Aquarium Curriculum is available for groups touring the aquarium.
Hours
The aquarium is open from 9AM - 5PM daily except:
- Easter Sunday
- Christmas Eve Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Eve Day
- New Years Day
- Thanksgiving Day
Snack Shop
Don't forget to visit our Snack Shop for hand dipped ice cream and locally made snacks and confectioneries.
Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Winter hours may vary. Call ahead.
Pet Policy
No pets are allowed in the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. However, in accordance with the Americans 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.
No firearms allowed.
Shirts and shoes required, no bikini tops.
No open containers are allowed.
Volunteer Opportunities
Alabama Aquarium
For people who enjoy meeting a wide range of visitors, and who love to share their enthusiasm for the environment, the Alabama Aquarium 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.
Fill out the individual volunteer form
Gardeners
We are also looking for gardening volunteers to help plant and maintain campus gardens.
By volunteering, you’ll pass on your love and knowledge of our lands and waters to this and future generations – and you’ll have a great time doing it.
To become a docent volunteer for either of the above, contact Jamelle Roy at (251) 861-2141 ext.7545 or email: volunteer@disl.edu.
