North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is one of three state facilities in North Carolina that opened in 1976. Since its expansion and reopening in 2006, the Aquarium has tripled in size. The new 93,000 sq. ft. facility features aquatic life found in North Carolina "from the mountains to the sea." The Aquarium houses more than 4,000 animals representing 220 species and its collection is constantly changing and growing.

ABOUT THE AQUARIUM: The newly expanded Aquarium takes visitors on a tour of North Carolinas amazing aquatic life from the mountains to the sea. The journey is arranged in five galleries: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean. Among the 38 innovative exhibits are re-created shipwrecks that showcase the diverse marine life attracted to these sunken vessels. The 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck display in the Ocean Gallery features a three-quarter-size replica of a German U-boat that was sunk off Cape Lookout in World War II. The Queen Annes Revenge duplicates the 18th century artifacts in Beaufort Inlet thought to be the wreckage of the pirate Blackbeards flagship. Additionally, a pair of playful river otters, a roaring mountain waterfall, a trout pool, a jellyfish gallery, a sportfishing display and a cypress swamp display. Touch pools allow personal contact with stingrays, whelks and other creatures. The Aquarium offers an array of activities and field trips, and has facilities for weddings, celebrations and meetings. Visitors also will find a large gift shop and a snack bar.

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ONE-TIME EVENTS

 

Sun., July 26 – Sat., Aug. 1

Shark Week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Get a close-up look at the ocean’s top predators during Shark Week. The Aquarium offers shark-themed programs and activities, “Live Dive” shows, crafts, games and films. The Aquarium showcases four shark species that frequent North Carolina’s near-shore waters: bonnethead sharks, nurse sharks, sandbar sharks and sand tiger sharks. Free with regular admission or membership. Details: 252-247-4003.

Thurs., July 30

Family Night: Sharks! 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fins to the left… Fins to the right….the Aquarium stays open late for a shark-themed Family Night. Join the frenzy and enjoy a Live Dive program, shark games and crafts and a shark-feeding demonstration. Free with admission or membership. Details: 252-247-4003.

Thurs., Aug. 13

Family Night: Pirates! 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. En garde! Put on your eye patch and walk the plank for a swashbuckling night of friendly pirates, hidden treasure and tales of the high seas. Shiver your timbers with the swift swordplay by the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group. Details: 252-247-4003.

 

 

Sat., Aug. 22

Sportfishing Clinic, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Learn how to fake out a flounder with a workshop that covers using artificial bait for surf fishing. Local fishing expert Dr. Bogus will lead the free program. For more information about the presentation, contact Aquarium Educator Todd Spangler at (252) 247-4003, ext. 288.

 

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

 

These programs repeat weekly. Advance registration is required. Call 252-247-4003 for more information or to register.

Monday

River Cruise 

Call for times  Keep a sharp eye out for birds, bottlenose dolphins and other marine life during this enjoyable, calm-water cruise. Ages 6 and up. $25

 

Surfing

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Learn to catch some waves in the North Carolina surf with the Aquarium’s surfboards and expert instructions. Ages 10 and up. $25

 

Sound Seafood: Catching Crabs and Clams

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Learn the art of harvesting crabs and clams, and the importance of conserving coastal habitats. Ages 5 and up. $20

 

Behind the Scenes: The Aquarium at a Glance

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.  Visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Closed-toe shoes required. Ages 6 and up. $5

Tuesday

Breakfast with the Rays

8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  Enjoy a continental breakfast and help feed these amazing animals before the Aquarium opens for the day. Ages 5 and up. $15

 

Onboard Collection Cruise 

Call for times  All aboard for a trawl and dredge excursion in coastal waters to see what comes up in our nets. Ages 6 and up. $25

 

Fishing Fanatics

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Learn to catch the big ones from the surf with hands-on instruction. Equipment, bait and licensing requirements are covered. Ages 10 and up. $20

 

Nature Crafts           

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.              Create your own nature-themed masterpiece, with step-by-step guidance and supplies provided. Ages 5 and up. $12

Wednesday

Snorkeling for Kids – Bogue Sound

Call for times  Kids learn what lies beneath the surface of Bogue Sound as they snorkel with an Aquarium naturalist. Gear provided. Ages 5 and up. $20

 

Surfing

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Learn to catch some waves in the famed North Carolina surf with the Aquarium’s surfboards and expert instructions. Ages 10 and up. $25

 

Behind the Scenes: The Aquarium at a Glance

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.  Visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Ages 6 and up. $5

 

Night Trek

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.              Stroll the nighttime beach as you learn about the fascinating life of sea turtles, and look for loggerheads nesting in the sand. Ages 5 and up. $8

Thursday

Onboard Collection Cruise

Call for times  All aboard for a trawl and dredge excursion in coastal waters, and see what comes up in our nets. Ages 6 and up. $25

 

Picnic Paddle - Canoe the Roosevelt Natural Area

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Bring a picnic and enjoy a leisurely canoe trek to explore the mysteries of the salt marsh. Ages 6 and up; paddlers 12 and up. $20

 

Nature Crafts           

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Create your own nature-themed masterpiece, with step-by-step guidance and supplies provided. Ages 5 and up. $12

 

Dinner with the Critters

6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Enjoy pizza, learn about animal care and see what it’s like to feed the animals in the invertebrate touch pool. Ages 5 and up. $15 

 

Friday

Cape Lookout Exploration

Call for times   Meet Aquarium staff at the ferry dock for a boat trip over to the Cape! As you hike across the undeveloped island on the lookout for wildlife, you also will learn about the unique culture of our coast. Don’t forget a picnic lunch. Ages 8 and up.  $25

 

Snorkeling the Sea – Radio Island

Call for times  Glimpse the mysteries below the surface with a snorkeling trip to Radio Island, led by an Aquarium naturalist. Gear provided. Ages and up. $25

 

Aquarist Apprentice

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Join Aquarium staff on a behind-the-scenes tour, help prepare animal meals and then participate in some daily care and maintenance tasks. Educators will teach you about the animals as you assist our Aquarists with their caretaking responsibilities. Ages 14 and up. $25

 

Behind the Scenes: The Aquarium at a Glance

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Ages 6 and up. $5

Saturday

Kayaking the Roosevelt Natural Area

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Explore tidal flats and quiet backwaters as you become aware of the intricate web of life thriving in this pristine natural environment. The Aquarium provides the kayaks. Ages 12 and up. $20

 

Aquarium ABCs

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.  Preschoolers spend an hour learning about aquatic species with live animals, crafts to bring home, storytelling and videos. Ages 3-5. $8

 

Critter Class

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Creative art projects, games, videos and live animals introduce young children to marine life. Ages 6-8. $8

 

Sunday

Barrier Island Exploration

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Trek the maritime forest, the salt marsh and the shallow waters of Bogue Sound to learn about the fascinating creatures that live in these vital habitats. Ages 8 and up. $10

 

Behind the Scenes: Aquarium Close Encounters

2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Visit labs and holding areas, help with food preparation and feed the animals in this through behind-the-scenes adventure that includes an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Ages 6 and up. $12

 

Snorkeling the Sea – Radio Island

Call for times  Glimpse the mysteries below the surface with a snorkeling trip to Radio Island, led by an Aquarium naturalist. Gear provided. Ages and up. $25

 

Aquarist Apprentice

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Join Aquarium staff on a behind-the-scenes tour, help prepare animal meals and then participate in some daily care and maintenance tasks. Educators will teach you about the animals as you assist our Aquarists with their caretaking responsibilities. Ages 14 and up. $25

 

Behind the Scenes: The Aquarium at a Glance

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Ages 6 and up. $5

 

Saturday

Kayaking the Roosevelt Natural Area

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Explore tidal flats and quiet backwaters as you become aware of the intricate web of life thriving in this pristine natural environment. The Aquarium provides the kayaks. Ages 12 and up. $20

 

Aquarium ABCs

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.  Preschoolers spend an hour learning about aquatic species with live animals, crafts to bring home, storytelling and videos. Ages 3-5. $8

 

Critter Class

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Creative art projects, games, videos and live animals introduce young children to marine life. Ages 6-8. $8

Sunday

Barrier Island Exploration

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Trek the maritime forest, the salt marsh and the shallow waters of Bogue Sound to learn about the fascinating creatures that live in these vital habitats. Ages 8 and up. $10

 

Behind the Scenes: Aquarium Close Encounters

2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Visit labs and holding areas, help with food preparation and feed the animals in this through behind-the-scenes adventure that includes an overhead view of the Living Shipwreck. Ages 6 and up. $12

 

Night Trek

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.              Stroll the nighttime beach as you explore the fascinating life of sea turtles, and look for loggerheads nesting in the sand. Ages 5 and up. $8