101 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
251-861-7500
https://www.disl.edu/aquarium/
Featuring 31 aquariums totaling 30,000 gallons and more than 100 species, the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) is a teaming with fun and information. The exhibit captures the four key habitats of coastal Alabama. Mobile-Tensaw River Delta (the state’s largest wetland) reveals the American alligator, turtles, and a primitive air-breathing fish called a gar. The Mobile Bay (a shallow estuary) exhibit features spot stone crabs, horseshoe crabs, blue crabs, oysters, spadefish, and flounder, as well as a replica of the legs of Middle Bay lighthouse and a jetty. The Barrier Islands exhibit showcases the home of islands that run parallel to the shore to protect it from waves and wind. Look for shrimp, blue crabs and hermit crabs.
Finally, the exhibit on the Gulf of Mexico (the night largest body of water in North America) features invertebrates and vertebrates, including an octopus, barnacles, lobsters, eels, seahorses, red snapper, sharks, jellyfish and schooling fish such as spadefish. Families can also stroll the Living Marsh Boardwalk (a salt marsh with information on various grass and wildlife), witness a real-time weather station in action, and browse the gift shop.
Children will love observing stingrays in the large touch pool, exploring a French sailing vessel replica in the Billy Goat Hole gallery, and, while walking the Living Marsh Boardwalk, following the adventures of Mr. Sand: a fun cartoon character who tells the story of the evolution of barrier islands. An important resource center for the study of marine life, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) was founded in 1971 by the State Legislature. Surrounded by Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound, and the waters of the Gulf, the DISL allows researchers to study a wide range of marine science activity.
