Dauphin Island Alabama is the home of ‘The Estuarium’ and the Sea Lab. The Estuarium is an exciting educational facility highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama. They are the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall and Living Marsh Boardwalk. This facility is a showcase of the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats. Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the Estuarium will leave you with a broader understanding of the interactions that take place in Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States.
You can discover the wonders of Dauphin Island with a Sea Lab Summer Excursion! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a hands-on exploration of coastal habitats with a Dauphin Island Sea Lab professional educator. Visit the salt marsh and learn why these mucky habitats are so vital. Or walk along the beach and in the maritime forest and learn the value of these increasingly threatened environments. Space is limited so reservations are recommended.
Directions
The Estuarium is located 35 miles from Mobile. From I-10, take the Dauphin Island/Tillman’s Corner exit (Exit 17-A). Travel south down Rangeline Road/193 to Dauphin Island. Take a left at the water tower on to Bienville Boulevard. After 2.2 miles, you will see the Estuarium on the left. Parking facilities available.
The Estuarium is a five-minute walk from the Dauphin Island/Fort Morgan Ferry. It is a 15-minute drive from Bellingrath Gardens.
The Fort Morgan and Marissa Mae Nicole ferries connect two of the Gulf Coast’s most beautiful and historic landmarks with a safe and scenic experience.
The Mobile Bay Ferry offers a quick route to Dauphin Island from Fort Morgan/Gulf Shores area. The ferry is a convenient way to cross the bay if you are traveling to Mobile or even the Gambling Boats of Biloxi. You may even want to ride the ferry just for fun. The ferry offers great views of the Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island coast. The Mobile Bay Ferry offers services year round in the Mobile Bay Area. The Mobile Bay Ferry will only be running one of its ferries until May 1st. After that time, Mobile Bay Ferry will be back to running both the Fort Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole until September 10. You may call the Ferry for more information at 251-861-3000. The current schedule can be seen below.
Ferry Schedule (subject to change without notice)
One ferry operational year round seven days a week. Two ferries operational daily May 1 – September 10. (As volume demands)
When running one ferry, Mobile Bay Ferry operation will follow the Fort Morgan schedule.
Ft. Morgan Ferry
- Dauphin Island
- 8:00 AM
- 9:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 3:30 PM
- 5:00 PM
- 6:30 PM*
- Ft. Morgan
- 8:45 AM
- 10:15AM
- 11:45 AM
- 1:15PM
- 2:45 PM
- 4:15 PM
- 5:15 PM
- 7:15 PM*
Marissa Mae Nicole Ferry
- Dauphin Island
- 8:45 AM
- 10:15 AM
- 11:45 AM
- 1:15 PM
- 2:45 PM
- 4:15 PM
- 5:45 PM
- Ft. Morgan
- 9:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 3:30 PM
- 5:00 PM
- 6:30 PM*
* These departures operate only during Daylight Savings Time
Directions From Gulf Shores to The Ferry at Fort Morgan :
The ferry landing is located at historic Fort Morgan. To reach the fort and ferry landing from Highway 59, turn west on State Road 180 (West Fort Morgan road) for approximately 25 miles. (Note: State Road 59 may be accessed.)
Attractions within five miles of the ferry landing:
Historic Ft. Gains 251-861-6992
Historic Ft. Morgan 251-540-7127
The Estuarium 251-861-7127
Audubon Bird Sanctuary