The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s (DISL) mission is to become a center for transformative U.S. oceanic and coastal research and education.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Virtual Learning brings Discovery Hall Programs to you, wherever you are with your students.
Onsite programs are available from September through May. Multi-day, single-day, and family programs are available through reservation.
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.
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.
Discovery Hall Programs strives to provide current and relevant continuing education opportunities for teachers and informal educators through hands-on workshops.
University programs at DISL consists of two parts: our Summer Undergraduate programs and our year round Graduate Programs.
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.
Between May and August, the University Programs offers more than 25 marine science courses of varying amounts of credits for undergraduate students.
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.
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.
See what you can expect when you come to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for Graduate and Undergraduate coursework.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Shop our online gift shop and support our programs. We have something for everyone from adoptable animals to DISL apparel. 
Make your next function a memorable event for you and your guests at this beautiful and unique location.
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.
Discover an authentic Gulf Coast experience at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Our unique venues combine on-point technology and amenities to keep you focused.
From inviting breezes on the open decks to the unmatched visual exhibits of the fourth largest estuary system in the United States, the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is the perfect venue for your indoor or outdoor functions.
Personal, practical, and beautiful gift ideas from conscious brands that are making a difference.
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.
I am a Graduate of biology from Huntingdon College, 2022. I am very, very excited to be working with Discovery Hall this summer. I want to be a high school biology teacher somewhere in North Alabama. I love to hunt and fish and on my days off, you can find me on the beach with a line in the water, hopefully with some fish in the cooler!
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