Sea life museum
Our One-Of-A-Kind Museum and Gift Shop
The Sea Life Museum is the only part of our facility that is open to the public. Admission is free, and we always appreciate donations of $2 per visitor.
The Museum was established to display marine mammal artifacts for the purpose of public education. Featured are several life-sized replicas of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish, all found in New Jersey waters or stranded on beaches. In addition, educational displays explain the plight of marine animals that ingest marine debris and plastics. Displays of marine mammal artifacts features a sperm whale's jaw bone, dolphin spinal column, skulls, and vertebrae and rib bones of small and large whales. Outside of the Museum is our "Bone Garden" exhibit and, in the summer months, an Observation Tank that exhibits several species of local estuarine fish and invertebrates.
When we are caring for seals in our hospital, patients may be viewed via our remote camera system on a screen inside the Museum.
The gift area is one of our sources of funding to maintain our operations. Our ever popular "Cupid the Seal" t-shirts, unique gifts, books, other apparel, and more can be found in our gift shop, both in the museum and online!
Explore our Museum
Our Museum Assistant and Education Volunteers are available to talk to you about MMSC's mission of Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release, and answer any questions you may have during your visit.
See our unique displays
Learn about the fascinating lives of marine mammals and sea turtles, and how you can help protect them, through our educational displays.
Discover fascinating artifacts
Explore our amazing collection of marine mammal and sea turtle artifacts, including skulls, bones, teeth, whale baleen, pelts and fossils!
Unique gifts and memorabilia
Our gift shop items make great gifts for any occasion, for yourself or for a loved one! And better yet, select items are also available through our online store.
Sea Life Museum building history
This 1930's era military Dodecagon (12-sided) building was initially 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 despair over the years and was moved in the 1970's by the city to where it resides now. When the MMSC took over the property, we enlisted the help of Telephone Pioneers of America to reconstruct it into an environmental education facility.
