Dear Educator,

Thank you for your interest in the Duke Marine Lab located on Piver鈥檚 Island in coastal North Carolina. Piver鈥檚 Island is part of the Newport River estuary and is about 2 km from the ocean via the Beaufort Inlet. Coastal and estuarine species and a variety of habitats (marshes, mudflats, sand flats, beaches, creeks, channels and coastal ocean) are readily accessible by visiting groups. The Duke Marine Lab is ideally situated to take advantage of these unique local marine and estuary environments.

The Duke Marine Lab does not offer guided academic programs for visiting groups but offers its facilities as a platform for outside groups. Many visiting groups explore the local area fleet of skiffs for transport to the Rachel Carson Reserve located on Carrot Island or Shackleford Banks. We may be able to recommend support for field guides, lab instructors and boat resources, so please ask about these resources if needed.

Wet lab space is available for classes and groups and can be covered by our specimen collection permits to collect invertebrates for study. All animal research should be pre-approved through the Duke Marine Lab Animal Care and Use Committee, contact Josh Osterberg (joshua.osterberg@duke.edu) for details.

Typical daily room/board cost per student is $82.60, which includes three meals and a bed. Linen rental is $35 per person (weekly rate includes bed linen, pillow, blanket, 2 towels and 2 washcloths). All housing at the Duke Marine Lab is in dorms with common bathrooms (separated by gender). Private rooms (common baths) are available for an extra charge if space allows. For a complete list of room and board rates, please consult our rate schedule.

The Duke Marine Lab dining hall provides three meals per day Monday through Friday and brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Standard meal times Monday through Friday are: breakfast 8 - 9 am, lunch 12 - 1 pm, dinner 5 - 6 pm. On Saturday and Sunday we serve: Brunch (10 am - 1 pm) and Dinner (5 pm - 6 pm). Our staff is happy to cater special functions, outdoor meals (pricing varies with event schedule and menu). Most special dietary needs can be accommodated. Please contact us with specific requests or questions.

While visiting the Duke Marine Lab, we encourage groups to explore other local attractions:

  • Bonehenge Whale Center  (best for students 14 years of age and up)
  • N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve - - speak with Lori Davis
  • N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores -
  • N.C. Maritime Museum -
  • Fort Macon State Park -
  • The History Place -
  • The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum -
  • National Park Service (manages Cape Lookout National Seashore and Shackleford Banks)-

Please let us know if we can help you with any arrangements.

Best Regards,

Gilbert Mason
Duke Marine Lab Campus Services
gilbert.mason@duke.edu