Explore The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

The Institute of Marine Mammal Studies is a large research and rehabilitation facility that also houses an interactive museum that educates visitors about ocean life. It is one of the only dolphin rescue facilities on the Gulf Coast, and the staff looks after a wide range of marine mammals. IMMS, located in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been a member of the National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the Gulf Coast's premier stranding organization, capable of caring for sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region. IMMS is an important educational resource for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, incorporating programs for marine mammal conservation, education, and research.

Dolphin presentations at the museum allow visitors to learn about these intelligent creatures while watching them interact with their trainers, and guests who want to get up close and personal can sign up for a dolphin encounter. Touch pools in the Discovery Room allow visitors to interact with sea stars, stingrays, sharks, and other marine life. In addition, there are opportunities to learn about reptiles and birds through tropical animal shows, and children can take home a shark tooth after unearthing it during the fossil digging activity.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 10801 Dolphin Ln, Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: +1 228-896-9182
Website: https://imms.org/