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.

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