Take a Tour

Office Building This Cape Cod style structure was donated and moved to the site in 1984. Eight full-time, and several part-time staff members, interns and volunteers share this small office. Because of crowded conditions, this building is not generally open to the public.

Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) This building is used for seals and sea turtles when they initially come into our care. Each animal has a separate fiberglass tank with haul-out area with independent air exchange to prevent cross-contamination. The building also contains a kitchen for food preparation for the animals. The public is not permitted in this building, however there are cameras set up over each tank to allow visitors in our museum to view the animals (when permissible).

Pool House This building contains a 30x15x4 foot in-ground pool and four mid-sized tanks with haul-out areas for seals. Whenever we bring in a large animal (small whale or dolphin), we temporarily keep it in the pool until it is stabilized and can be moved to a larger facility for further rehabilitation. During seal season, the pool is used as the final phase in the rehabilitation of seals. This building is not open to the public.

Sea Life Educational Center and Gift Shop This 1930’s era military Dodecagon (12-sided) building was originally built during war-time to disguise sonar equipment in a Coast Guard Base on the Island of Brigantine. The building survived many storms, but fell into disrepair over the years and was moved by the City to the site in the 1970’s. In 1983, when the MMSC took over the property, we enlisted the help of the Telephone Pioneers of America to reconstruct it into an environmental education facility. The museum was established to display marine mammal artifacts for the purpose of public education. Featured are 25 life-sized replicas of marine mammals and fish, all found or stranded in New Jersey waters. In addition, educational displays explain the plight of marine animals that ingest ocean debris. A "Please Touch" display of marine mammal bones features a sperm whale’s jaw bone, dolphin spinal column, skulls, vertebrae and rib bones of small and large whales. The gift area, found in the building, is one of our sources of funding. Our ever popular “Cupid the Seal” t-shirts, unique gifts, books and more, provide a regular source of funding for the Center to maintain its operations.

Observation Tank This 1000-gallon outdoor tank is set up in May by a crew of volunteers and interns throughout the summer. Weekly seining trips, which are open to the public, keep the tank stocked with unusual local and incidental fish. This tank is a favorite of children who visit us in the summer months. Occasionally, someone will come in to let us know they remember the tank from their childhood and they are now bringing their children to see it. In September, the fish are released and the tank is winterized.

Whale and Dolphin Transport Vehicle Custom built vehicle used for transporting larger animals such as dolphins and small whales, or multiple caged seals during seal releases.

Small Animal Vehicle We are using two Ford F-150 pick-up trucks with caps for transporting smaller animals, such as seals and sea turtles. The animals are contained inside the back of the truck, and the temperature is regulated according to the species of animal we are carrying.

2003 Inflatable Zodiac This boat is used for working with stranded or distressed animals in shallow areas, such as back bays.

2003 Custom-built Munson Boat This boat was designed to have a drop front which will enable us to slide animals onto the boat without lifting. The boat has been instrumental in disentanglements of sea turtles.

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