Plan Your Visit     Program Schedule           

Students and Families

For Families and Children of All Ages: Please see Activities and Events Page for this summer's schedule

Our daily programs are perfect to peak a student’s curiosity about the marine world. We offer a variety of programs with a focus on hands-on exploration throughout the week. Reservations can be made through our Events Calendar.

Outdoor Aquarium and Fun Marine Programs

Come see our five fantastic outdoor tanks  filled with local fish! You will also be able to enjoy our indoor tanks including Turtle, a jellyfish tank and baby Chain Dogfish and/or participate in one of our many programs. Learn…to love Block island!

Follow us at Block Island Maritime Institute Facebook for ongoing updates or Instagram at bimaritimeinstitute.

Harbor Tours of the Great Salt Pond

Spend a relaxing hour on Block Island’s famous Great Salt Pond aboard an historic 26-ft. Oldport Launch as we tour the Pond and learn about local history, folklore, and the ecology of Block Island. Mondays & Wednesdays at 10:00am at BIMI. $30.00 per person; a group of 4 for $100; children 5-and-under ride free. Reservations required. Summer 2022 boat tour have ended for the season. We look forward to seeing you next summer.

Story Time and Art (Especially for our youngest visitors aged 3 to 6)

A perfect way for a young child to learn about the sea. Come listen to a story and create a related project.

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Ages 7 and up. Join us for a unique opportunity to learn all about these fascinating creatures. Come learn the internal and external anatomy of the squid and the various functions of its organs. $5.00 per person. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule. Reservations suggested. Space is limited.

SQUID DISSECTION (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Ages 7 and up. Join us for a unique opportunity to learn all about these fascinating creatures. Come learn the internal and external anatomy of the squid and the various functions of its organs. $5.00 per person. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule. Reservations suggested. Space is limited.

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UNDERWATER GARDENS (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Come learn about different BI seaweeds and create pressed seaweed art or a terrarium to bring home! $5.00 per person. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

AQUA ART (recommended for ages 5 yrs and up)

Andy’s Way Exploration and Species Collection (great for all ages)

Practice the art of Gyotaku fish prints and marine origami. Activities vary every week. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

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PUZZLING FISH (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Learn all about fish fins, scales and adaptations. Help us sort which parts go where and learn how to identify local marine species. Also, using your new-found fin knowledge build a cork fish! No reservations necessary. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

BIMI BOAT BATTLES (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Practice the art of Gyotaku fish prints and marine origami. Activities vary every week. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

SHELLFISH DISSECTION (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Become part of the Citizen Scientist Team and help to inventory the species that call this vital ecosystem their home. Along the way we will also collect specimens for the BIMI touch tanks! Meet us at Andy’s Way and join in on the Citizen Science movement! This is a project that you can participate in every week because it is constantly evolving. The purpose of this program is to establish the Andy’s Way area as an important ecosystem that should be treasured. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

Help us find some sinister suspects who have invaded the BIMI area. Learn about invasive species and where they lurk. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

MICROSCOPIC WORLDS (recommended for ages 7 yrs and up)

Come tow for plankton off the BIMI docks and learn about the tiny sea creatures of the Great Salt Pond. Examine a new world under our microscopes. No fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule.

NAUTICAL KNOTS (recommended for ages 8 yrs and up)

Learn to tie some maritime knots and make your own sailor’s bracelet. $5.00 per person. No registration necessary, see the weekly program schedule. Reservations recommended. Space is limited.