Family Attractions
Mississippi Aquarium
2100 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport
Aerial view by Kaotate (Tate K. Nations), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mississippi Aquarium sits right on the beach in Gulfport, about twenty minutes west of the Biloxi casino strip, and it's the newest big draw on this stretch of coast. Opened in 2020 to replace the Marine Life Oceanarium that Hurricane Katrina wiped out, the 5.8-acre campus is easy to spot from Highway 90 thanks to its three sail-shaped roofs. It's a legitimate day-trip destination, not a roadside tank-and-gift-shop stop, with more than 200 species spread across indoor and outdoor habitats.
Getting There
From the Biloxi casino strip, head west on Highway 90 along the beach — it's a straight, scenic drive of roughly 12 miles to Gulfport, no highway changes needed. The aquarium sits at 2100 E Beach Blvd, right across from the sand, so you'll see the sail-shaped roofline well before you arrive. There's a large paved lot on site with plenty of standard spaces plus marked accessible parking near the entrance; it fills up on weekends and holidays, so aim to arrive close to opening if you're visiting in summer. No parking fee as of this writing.
What to Expect
Budget two to three hours to see it properly. The bottlenose dolphin habitat is the headliner — an outdoor pool with underwater viewing where trainers run several presentations a day — and the African penguin colony draws just as long a crowd, especially at feeding time. Inside, a 360-degree tunnel puts sharks and rays overhead and on both sides at once, and the North American river otters are usually the most active exhibit in the building. Beyond the marquee animals there are alligator and beaver habitats, a freshwater gallery, and an outdoor aviary, so the layout rewards a slow walk rather than a beeline for the dolphins.
Good to Know
Open daily, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Buying online at least a day ahead saves real money: adult admission runs $29.95 in advance versus $34.95 at the gate, with child and senior rates discounted the same way. Military visitors get 10% off at the gate with ID, and Mississippi residents get $2 off with proof of address. If you want a dolphin or penguin encounter, book that add-on early — they're limited-capacity and sell out on busy days. Mornings are noticeably calmer than afternoons, especially in summer.
Our Take
This is worth the drive from Biloxi even if you're not traveling with kids — the dolphin and shark exhibits are built to a real aquarium standard, not a boardwalk-attraction one. Families should plan around a feeding or presentation time rather than just showing up; check the day's schedule at the entrance first thing. Pair it with lunch on the Gulfport waterfront and it's an easy half-day trip off the casino strip.
Details last verified August 2026. Always confirm current hours and prices directly with the attraction.