Join the Friends of the Sea Lab
Your membership to The Friends of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab entitles you to unlimited visits to the Aquarium of Alabama as well as the other benefits listed below. Your Friends membership also supports the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in its mission to study the marine environment and educate the public about the ecological importance and natural beauty of our native coastal ecosystems.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) is Alabama’s marine science education and research laboratory. Located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, the DISL is surrounded by Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound and the waters of the Gulf, making it perfectly situated for a wide range of marine science activity. DISL’s mission encompasses marine science research, coastal zone management policy, K-12 education, professional development for teachers and educating the general public through the Alabama Aquarium, DISL’s public aquarium.
Your contribution to join the Friends of the Sea Lab will help support the following:
• Marine Research
• Fisheries Research
• Campus Development
• Alabama Aquarium
• Educational Programs
Friends of the Sea Lab enjoy unlimited visits to the Alabama Aquarium
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The Alabama Aquarium highlights 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 Alabama Aquarium showcases the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats.
"Windows to the Sea” the interactive wing to the Alabama Aquarium features a unique look at our oceans through the use of technology, including an interactive video wall which offers a glimpse into a Sargassam community and takes visitors on a spin around the globe to see how the Earth has evolved over millions of years. The experience extends to a touch screen table with activities for visitors of all ages and the “Sounds of the Sea,” which teleports visitors through the Delta, Gulf of Mexico, and beyond with sounds of the alligator, various fish, the Gaillard Island brown pelican and tern colonies, and right whales.
The centerpiece of the wing is a beautiful 500 gallon tank featuring a Hawaiian reef community.
Click on the Friends tab above to find out more and download the membership form.
Aquarium Open
The renovations are complete, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab reopened the Alabama Aquarium on Monday, July 10, 2023. Doors opened once again after a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.
The Alabama Aquarium first opened in March 1998. It is a popular attraction for residents and tourists. This renovation delivers an improved visitor experience, a refreshed interior, and a deeper connection to the research led by DISL faculty and students.
“We are thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome visitors back to the Alabama Aquarium,” said DISL Executive Director Dr. John Valentine. “Our goal has always been to provide an unparalleled experience that inspires visitors to care for and protect the ocean and its creatures, and we believe that the improvements we’ve made will help us achieve that goal.”
Visitors can purchase tickets online or at the door. The aquarium will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to book their tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
