Whether you are traveling along the Mississippi Gulf Coast or live nearby and are searching for a fun day trip, the Ocean Adventures Marine Park and Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport is a must-visit attraction.
IMMS is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to promote public education, conservation, and research on marine mammals and other aquatic life both in the wild and under human care.
The Ocean Adventures portion of IMMS was created to make learning exciting for the whole family, offering hands-on experiences with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, and exotic birds.
On our visit, we started at the Tweeter Post, a parakeet feeding area where kids can hand-feed hundreds of colorful birds. It was an instant hit with the whole family.
Throughout the day, we attended several shows and presentations, including a reptile demonstration, a wild bird show, a dolphin performance, and a sea lion show. The stingray touch pool was a highlight, and adventurous visitors can even swim with stingrays and sharks.
The original IMMS facility includes a discovery room with aquariums, a hands-on crab exhibit, and a dolphin and sea lion interaction area. Behind the scenes, IMMS operates a state-of-the-art hospital to treat injured marine mammals and sea turtles, a sea turtle rehabilitation center, and large pools for recovering dolphins.
During our visit, IMMS had just rehabilitated and released six Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles back into the Gulf. These turtles had been rescued after accidental fishing injuries. IMMS encourages fishermen to call immediately instead of cutting lines, which can cause further harm.
Admission: Ticket prices vary depending on activities. For a full list of adventures and pricing, visit
Ocean Adventures – Adventures.
Pro Tip: Purchase tickets online in advance to skip the admission line.
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