Visitor Information

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Eastern Shore Laboratory (ESL) in Wachapreague, VA, serves both as a field station for research and teaching and as a site for resident research programs in coastal ecology and aquaculture. 

Our Administration Building provides office space for staff and a check-in area for guests.

Seaside Hall features a taxonomy laboratory, small analytical laboratory, and a general-use room that serves as a library, conference room, or classroom.

The Seawater Laboratory features a large teaching laboratory as well as a flexible wet laboratory, designed to hold marine organisms and provide space for conducting research, both indoors and outside. 

The Castagna Shellfish Research Hatchery features a flexible design with an assortment of tanks and the ability to culture bivalve larvae and micro-algae with various temperature, salinity, and filtration parameters. 

Additional buildings on campus support the housing and research needs of our guests and staff.

 

Vessels

The Eastern Shore Laboratory maintains a fleet of vessels for the support of research and educational activities. The ESL uses small, shallow-draft vessels that provide access to shallow-water habitats along the seaside and bayside of the Eastern Shore.

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Housing

Lodging for 45 visiting users is available at the Eastern Shore Lab. Kitchen, dining and laundry facilities are available for use by guests in each of the four buildings.

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Seawater Laboratory

The ESL Seawater Lab is designed to accommodate multiple research and educational requests with point-of-use flexibility.

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Castagna Shellfish Research Hatchery

The Castagna Shellfish Research Hatchery also features a flexible design with an assortment of tanks and the ability to culture bivalve larvae and micro-algae with various temperature, salinity, and filtration parameters. 

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Seaside Hall

Our campus includes an Administration Building, Seaside Hall, Seawater Laboratory, Castagna Shellfish Research Hatchery, Aquaculture Shop and four dormitories.

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Safety Information

Our goal is to promote environmental stewardship, protect health, and ensure safe working practices within the ESL community.