Alabama Aquarium Education Opportunities

Boardwalk Talks Salt Marsh Excursion Beach, Dune, and Maritime Forest Excursion R/V Alabama Discovery Excursion Ask the Aquarist Alabama Aquarium Curriculum

Boardwalk Talks

The Boardwalk Talk series shares insight to current DISL projects and community awareness. These informal chats encompass a broad range of science topics.

Next Boardwalk Talk

Physical Oceanography is the field of study that deals with mechanisms of energy transfer through the sea and across its boundaries, and with the physical interactions of the sea with its surroundings, especially including the influence of the seas on the climate of the atmosphere.

Boardwalk Talk Playlist


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 Excursion

Cost: $15 per person

Dates and Times:

  • August 31, 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • September 22, 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • October 20, 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • November 10, 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Reservation Form

Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

The salt marsh is a vital habitat for juvenile fishes, shrimp, and crabs. This excursion gives you the chance to become the marine scientist for the day and get an up close look at the inhabitants of the salt marsh habitat. You’ll learn how to collect samples and specimens.

Please be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so you may wish to prepare your vehicle and attire accordingly.

What to wear: Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required. Old tennis shoes that are tight fitting are a great choice. They will protect your feet from oyster shells and the very sticky mud.

Plese be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so, you may wish to prepare your vehicle accordingly.

What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes and shoes, bag for muddy items.

Beach, Dune, and Maritime Forest Excursion

Cost: $15 per person

Dates and Times:

  • September 12, 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • October 27, 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • November 21, 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • December 14, 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Reservation Form

Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

On this excursion you will walk through the maritime forest, then on to the dunes and beach. 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 up close 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

Cost: $30 per person

Dates and Times:

  • September 1, 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • September 16, 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • October 6, 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • October 13, 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • November 17, 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • December 8, 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Reservation Form

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. 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 than 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

Alabama Aquarium Curriculum

Please note that curricula are being updated to align with content updates to the Alabama Aquarium and Alabama Course of Study Standards. Updates will be posted in phases. The most recent version can be found here.

For the Students:

These worksheets are created for the students based on the exhibits in the Alabama Aquarium.

For the Teachers:

These curriculum keys provide the answers to the student worksheets.