Mission & Vision

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s (DISL) mission is to become a center for transformative U.S. oceanic and coastal research and education.

• Employment
• News
• Events
• Faculty
• Contact Us

Our History

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab was founded in 1971 by the Alabama legislature to provide marine science programs for many of the state’s colleges and universities. Today, 22 member institutions partner with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to provide studies to undergraduate and graduate students. Since 1971, the DISL mission has expanded to include K-12 education, professional development, and a public aquarium.

• DISL Alumni Connection
• Annual Reports
• Audit Reports

MESC

The Alabama Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (MESC) is comprised of 22 public and private colleges and universities. The Presidents of each school make up the MESC Board of Directors. The Program Committee members consist of one faculty member, appointed by the President, from each of the member institutions.

DISL Foundation

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation (DISLF) supports the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in its mission, “to provide wise stewardship of the marine environment through education and research”. The DISLF provides funds to sustain the activities and programs of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The foundation is also continuing to build the George C. Crozier Endowment, as well as the DISLF Endowment for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

The mission of the Mobile Bay NEP is to promote wise stewardship of the water quality characteristics and living resource base of the Mobile Bay estuarine system. Administered through and funded by the EPA under provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1987, the initial task for the MBNEP was the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) as a blueprint for conserving the estuary.

Facilities & Location

• Facilities
• Campus Map
• Location
• Research Vessels

Virtual Learning

Virtual Learning brings Discovery Hall Programs to you, wherever you are with your students.

• Virtual Classes K-4
• Virtual Classes 5-8
• Virtual Classes High School
• DHP Videos
• DHP Faculty

Onsite Programs

Onsite programs are available from September through May. Multi-day, single-day, and family programs are available through reservation.

• Field Classes at DISL
• Sea Lab Science Fridays
• Ocean Explorer Saturdays
• Scout Badge Programs
• Family Camp
• Sea Stars Camp

Summer Programs

The Discovery Hall Programs offer a variety of programs for your children during the summer, ranging from single-day programs to residential camps and academic courses.

• Residential Marine Science Class
• Day Camps
• Overnight Camps
• Summer Counselors
• Summer Internships
• Camp FAQ’s

STEM Programs

Discovery Hall Programs has developed a variety of activities focused ROVs, to take advantage of K-12 students’ interest in robotics, marine biology and oceanography.

• MATE ROV Competition
• SeaPerch ROV Competition
• ROVing the Gulf
• Technology in Marine Science
• Marine DeTECHtives

Outreach Programs

• BayMobile Traveling Lab
• Sea Stars Camp
• Citizen’s Archive for Mobile Bay Estuarine Organisms (CAMEO)

For Teachers

Discovery Hall Programs strives to provide current and relevant continuing education opportunities for teachers and informal educators through hands-on workshops.

• Professional Learning Workshops
• Curricula and Activities
• Field Trip Planning Information

Overview

University programs at DISL consists of two parts: our Summer Undergraduate programs and our year round Graduate Programs.

• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Faculty

Graduate

While the DISL serves as the focal point of graduate education in marine science in the state of Alabama, it is not a degree-granting institution, and graduate degrees are offered through ten of the 23 DISL Member Schools.

• Graduate Overview
• Register
• Graduate Courses
• Graduate Funding

Undergraduate

Between May and August, the University Programs offers more than 25 marine science courses of varying amounts of credits for undergraduate students.

• How to Apply
• Summer Courses
  
• Course Bulletin

NSF REU

The focus of the REU Program is to provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor.

Research Experience for Undergraduate Program

Seminars

University Programs hosts a seminar series throughout the year on campus. The Sea Lab faculty invite researches from around the world to speak about their work. The majority of seminars are streamed live and archived on The Sea Lab’s YouTube channel.

• Seminar Listing
• DISL YouTube Channel

University Experience

See what you can expect when you come to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for Graduate and Undergraduate coursework.

Overview

Since 1971, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab researchers have collected valuable environmental and ecosystem level data as part of the research and monitoring efforts in the fields of oceanography and ecology.

• Fisheries Ecology Research
• Marine Mammal Research Program
• Citizen’s Archive for Mobile Bay Estuarine Organisms (CAMEO)
  
• NOAA’s Restore Act Science Program
  
• Wastewater Footprint
• Seminars
• Digital Learning

ARCOS

ARCOs, Alabama Real-Time Coastal Observing System, is freely accessible by the public with ten sites monitoring the water quality. The information is updated every half hour and is gathered from eight water quality sampling stations that are located around coastal Alabama, including a new site off-shore.

Data Management Center

Since 1971, research personnel at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) have collected valuable environmental and ecosystem level data as part of research and monitoring endeavors.

• Data Management Center
• Metadata
• Datasets

Scientific Diving

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) provides scientific diver training and oversight for all participating schools with the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium. DISL joined the American Academy of Underwater Science in 1992.

ACER

A Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative consortia led by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the Alabama Center of Ecological Resilience (ACER) investigates how biodiversity influences an ecosystem’s resilience. Specifically, the ecosystems of the northern Gulf of Mexico to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Library

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s digital library gives the public access to more than 200 publications authored by faculty, staff, and students dating back to 1974.

• Gulf of Mexico Science Journal

Plan Your Visit

Find all the information you need to make the most of your visit in our public aquarium. Hours, Pricing and even our live streaming webcams can be found here!

• Volunteer
• Become a Friend of the Sea Lab
• Purchase Tickets Online

Excursions and Talks

The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab hosts a number of events for the public. The free, twice-monthly Boardwalk Talk program offers the public a chance to engage with the experts at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The Excursion Program takes visitors into the habitats studied by our marine scientists, researchers, and students at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Online Gift Shop

Shop our online gift shop for apparel and more.

Host Your Event Here

Make your next function a memorable event for you and your guests at this beautiful and unique location.

Aquarium Live Feed

Our roaming webcam will give you a live peek inside our aquarium with new views each day.

Discover with DiSL

Discovery Day is set for April 2, 2022. It’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and learn about how our programs connect you to the Alabama Watershed.

Overview

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is the perfect place to host your next meeting, wedding, or birthday party. Let our special events team guide you to creating a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Forks and Corks

This unique seafood culinary art competition features area high school hospitality and culinary arts programs’ students transforming marine science education into delicious seafood dishes to enjoy throughout the evening.

View Our Venues

Discover an authentic Gulf Coast experience at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Our 5 unique venues combine on-point technology and amenities to keep you focused.

Plan Your Wedding

From inviting breezes on the open decks to the unmatched visual exhibits of the fourth largest estuary system in the United States, the Estuarium at The Sea Lab is the perfect venue for your indoor or outdoor functions.

Book a Birthday Party

Climb aboard the Miss May May, and set sail for a birthday destination to remember. Both entertaining and educational, the adjacent aquatic and hands-on exhibits inside the Estuarium provide hours of excitement while guiding your child through a journey of our precious coastal habitat.

Shop our Online Gift Shop

​T-shirts, sweaters, logo merchandise, and more are just a click away.

DISL Logo Apparel

Official Apparel of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for the whole family.

Sustainable Gifts

Personal, practical, and beautiful gift ideas from conscious brands that are making a difference.

Souvenirs

Bring the Dauphin Island Sea Lab home with you with these great souvenirs.

Gift Items

Browse hand-selected items from our gift shop that are sure to please.

Donate to DISL

Every reason for supporting and donating is different, but every donation matters. Your donation enhances the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s educational, research and service programs.