Alabama Aquarium Education Opportunities
Marine Educator-led Aquarium Tours
Expand your journey through the aquarium with a guided tour led by DISL’s Discovery Hall Programs’ Marine Educators. The group size is limited to 15 people. It is $50 in addition to the admission cost for the Aquarium. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
You can take the adventure outside the aquarium with one of our other Discovery Hall Programs offerings.
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. Currently, Boardwalk Talks are held in person and our DISL YouTube Channel.
Talks give you a chance 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.
Excursions
Fun for the whole family! The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab offers three excursions for the entire family. The excursions take visitors into the habitats studied by our marine scientists, researchers, and students at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Children 18 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For questions and reservations: E-mail summerexcursions@disl.edu or call (251) 861-2141 ext. 2127.
DISL reserves the right to cancel any excursion in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.
Space is limited for all excursions, and reservations are required. Please note that your reservation will not be secure until you purchase your tickets through a link you will receive by email using a code provided in the same email.
Salt Marsh Excursions
Upcoming Dates: TBD Reservation Form
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Cost: $12 per person.
After meeting at the Alabama Aquarium, you will travel to the Dauphin Island salt marsh to explore this vital ecosystem. You will be a marine scientis for a day and use various tools to collect samples and specimens. You will learn all about this vital habitat.
Please be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so you may wish to prepare your vehicle and attire accordingly.
What to wear: Proper footwear is required for this excursion. To prevent injury from oyster shell and other objects closed toe and closed heeled shoes are the only foot wear allowed. We suggest old tennis shoes that are tight fitting due to very sticky mud. 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 Excursions
Upcoming Dates: TBD Reservation
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Cost: $12 per person.
On this excursion you will walk through the maritime forest, then on to the dunes and beach. During this walk you will learn about native plants and the benefits of an intact dune system. You’ll see many coastal animals and even dig for mole and ghost crabs. You will get to use nets and critter catchers to get an upclose look at any creatures that you might come across.
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.
R/V Alabama Discovery Excursion
Upcoming Dates: TBD Reservation Form
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Cost: $30 per person.
Join a professional Dauphin Island Sea Lab Educator for a two-hour boat trip in the waters surrounding Dauphin Island. Here you will learn about the diverse environment and animals around Mobile Bay. Our captain will do a short trawl to produce a sampling of animals that live in Mobile Bay.
Children from 8 to 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their supervision and safety. Children younger thatn 8 are not permitted on this excursion.
What to wear: Proper footwear is required for your safety. Wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes. Please note that you will not be allowed to board the vessel without proper footwear. Layers are advised for variable weather conditions.
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, binoculars, snack, camera, your curiosity.
Ask the Aquarist
Curricula
Activity
- K - 2 Activity Curriculum
- 3 - 5 Activity Curriculum
- 6 - 8 Activity Curriculum
- 9 - 12 Activity Curriculum
- Estuaries Lesson Plan (All Ages)
Activity Keys
- Introduction for all Keys
- Activity Key K-2nd
- Activity Key 3rd-5th
- Activity Key 6th-8th
- Activity Key 9th-12th
Specific Activity Sheets