Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The Alabama Aquarium on Dauphin Island is a science museum focused on four main coastal habitats: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The exhibits feature over one hundred native species including fish, crabs, and birds in tanks and displays that recreate these ecosystems.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab, home to the aquarium, has been conducting marine research and offering education programs for over forty years. The facility was formerly called the Estuarium, reflecting its original focus on studying the unique ecosystems where fresh and saltwater mix.
The facility carries forward its former name, the Estuarium, in local memory and reflects the region's focus on the unique Mobile Bay estuary system. Visitors experience how this mixing zone of river and ocean waters shapes local life and why its protection matters to both residents and travelers.
The aquarium opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is easily accessible from the mainland via Exit 17A off Interstate 10 with free parking. Last admission tickets are sold at 4 p.m., and advance ticket purchase is recommended, especially for groups who should reserve at least two days ahead.
The Mobile Bay camera tank offers a live view of a large exhibit with common species such as speckled trout and spadefish that actually swim in the shallow coastal waters near the Middle Bay Lighthouse. This direct connection to the real environment helps visitors understand how displayed animals live in their natural setting.
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