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  • Fort Fisher
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  • North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

    Tickets & Reservations

    Admissions
    Painting at the Aquarium
    Yoga at the Aquarium
    Summer Day Camps
    Sea Sprouts Camp for 4-year-olds
    Summer Camps
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    Indoor Programs
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    School Groups
    Teacher Workshops
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    Scout Programs
    Rent the Aquarium
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    Booking

    School Groups

    Visiting the aquarium with your school is a great way to bring education alive. We offer many interactive opportunities for your students to learn more about marine environments. Most of our programs are correlated to state standards. Please contact us for more details on correlations.

     

    Chaperone Policy Change

    Starting this fall, all chaperones will have to be paid for by the school in advance. This change to the policy for School Group chaperones will begin September 3rd, 2024. NC School students and school staff will still be offered one free admission annually to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the fee for chaperones will remain at $8 (+ tax if applicable) per person. Only chaperones included in the group reservation will receive the discounted rate for the school to purchase in one transaction. If other parents, siblings, or adults visit the aquarium at the same time as the school group they will need to pay the general admission rate or use their membership benefit. Tickets for each individual visiting must reserve in advance. Only chaperones paid for by the school will be considered official chaperones and given a chaperone sticker. They will be expected to stay with the school group for the entire visit.

    School Groups

    If your are interested in bringing a school group to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, please submit a REQUEST FORM.

    Self Guided Tour

    Self Guided Tour

    Welcome to the North Carolina Aquarium classroom! Plan an unforgettable field trip to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Your students will dive into the world of wonder and water, with a wide array of educational exhibits and programs.

    All groups must pre-register.
    Duration Varies
    Request

    Special Activity Animal Programs

    Animal Meet and Greet

    Would you like to give your school group a private encounter with a critter of your choice but don’t have a lot of time? Request a 15 minute Animal Meet and Greet and let your students say “hello” to one of our many live animals! This program is perfect for smaller groups that are on a schedule and a budget but desire an intimate experience to learn about a North Carolina native species! For $1 per student, choose one animal from the following: turtle, snake, frog, toad, salamander, hermit crab, sea star, or sea urchin.
    Available Monday-Friday from September 1-February 28 only!

    Grades PreK-12.

    $1 per student
    Minimum of 12 students
    Maximum of 30 students


    Maximum of 3 rotations, back to back each day
    Duration 15 minutes
    Request

    Reptiles-R-Us

    Learn about the habits and habitats of various reptiles in the Cape Fear Region. Alligators, turtles, and snakes will be highlighted.

    Grades 1 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 100 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Invertebrate Interview

    Uncover the hidden world of clams, snails, crabs, sea urchins, sea stars, and other invertebrates. Learn what makes a coral an animal, where the eyes of a sea star are located, how an urchin gets around, and much more!

    Grades 1 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 30 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Sharks: Inside and Out

    Learn the characteristics of sharks in this interactive presentation on shark anatomy and behavior. Discover how sharks swim, how they get along without bones, and how they replace their teeth!

    Grades 1 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 100 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Whales and Dolphins

    How do we compare to some of the largest animals on earth? What is the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this fun, interactive program highlighting the whales and dolphins that frequent North Carolina's coast.

    Grades 2 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 100 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Children's Discovery Time

    Creatures come alive in this story telling and critter creating program. A special craft is included with each program, and some programs include live animals.
    Topic Selections:
    Spiny-skinned animals, Whales and Dolphins, Crabs and other Crustaceans, Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Sharks, Skates and Rays.

    Grades K - First.

    $6 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 20 students
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Exploring our Ecosystems

    Learn about the different ecosystems we have here in coastal North Carolina during this interesting and interactive program. Explore why these ecosystems are important and meet some of the creatures that inhabit them.  

    Grades 1 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 100 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Animal Life Cycles

    Learn about different life cycles of various animals during this interesting and interactive program.

    Grades 1 - University.

    $5 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 100 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Behind the Scenes Tour

    Join staff on a behind the scenes tour and see what it is like to be responsible for the aquarium's critters. This tour will take you places that many guests never have a chance to see.

    Grades 6 - University.

    $9 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 15 people
    Duration 1 Hour
    Request

    Craft Programs

    Nature Crafts: Gyotaku

    Learn the ancient art of Japanese fish painting, Gyotaku. Discover the history behind this craft and make a Gyotaku tote bag to take home.
    All supplies, smocks, and tote bags are provided

    Grades K - University.

    $12 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 20 students
    Duration 30 minutes
    Request

    Nature Crafts: Stamp Painting

    Create your very own incredible,  tote bag with easy to use stamps in fun Marine-life shapes.
    All supplies, smocks, and tote bags are provided

    Grades K - First.

    $12 per student
    Minimum of 10 students
    Maximum of 20 students
    Duration 30 minutes
    Request
    Roanoke Island
    Pine Knoll Shores
    Fort Fisher
    Jennette's Pier
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