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 in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.)
SALT MARSH EXCURSION
Upcoming Dates:
Reservation Form
Wednesday, August 24- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 20- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 13- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Cost: $12 per person. Space is limited, 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.
DISL reserves the right to cancel in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.
Salt marshes are not monotonous expanses of grass; they’re fascinating coastal wetlands that are critical to our estuary system. Be a marine scientist for a day, and use seine nets, buckets, shovels, and sieve boxes to collect samples, including crabs, snails, and fish (we’ll release animals back to the marsh). You’ll learn about the important role salt marshes play in the Gulf of Mexico and how they support the seafood we enjoy.
After meeting at the Alabama Aquarium, you will travel to the Dauphin Island salt marsh to explore this vital ecosystem. Please be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so you may wish to prepare your vehicle accordingly.
What to wear: Proper footwear is very important for your safety and enjoyment. Because of sharp oyster shells, participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes that tie or strap on, such as old tennis shoes. Please no flip-flops, Crocs, or rubber boots as they get ‘eaten’ by the marsh mud. Wear clothes that can get wet and muddy. 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 EXCURSION
Upcoming Dates:
Reservation Form
Thursday, October 27- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 10- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Friday, December 9- 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Cost: $12 per person. Space is limited, 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.
There’s more to a barrier island than sand and water – the beach is a thriving habitat with a dynamic dune system and fascinating plants and animals, and higher elevations are covered by lush forest. We’ll walk through the maritime forest, then on to the dunes and beach.
You will learn about plants that Indians and colonists used and the benefits of an intact dune system. You’ll see many coastal animals; occasional highlights include osprey, alligators, and dolphins. You’ll dig for mole crabs that live in the surf zone and chase scuttling ghost crabs. We’ll bring hand nets and critter containers so we can get an up-close look.
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
RV ALABAMA DISCOVERY EXCURSION
Upcoming Dates:
Reservation Form
Friday, August 19- 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, September 23- 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, October 7- 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, November 18- 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, December 2- 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Join a professional Dauphin Island Sea Lab Educator for a two-hour boat trip in the waters surrounding Dauphin Island, where you’ll learn how estuaries such as Mobile Bay feed the seas. Mobile Bay is a thriving nursery ground that supports a vast array of animals. A short trawl will produce a sampling of some of these animals for you to examine, and a plankton tow will give you a look at the microscopic organisms at the base of the food chain. Other kinds of wildlife, including pelicans, gulls, dolphins, and sharks, can often be seen from the boat.
The minimum age for participation is 8. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Cost:
- $30 per person. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Please note that your reservation will not be secure until you purchase your tickets through a link you will receive after submitting the reservation form. This program is limited to 25 participants (based on Covid distancing guidelines, and subject to change). A minimum number of tickets must sell before the scheduled Boat Excursion for the trip to run.
- Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their supervision and safety.
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, and your mask
