Experience what it is like to work as an Aquarist as you spend a few hours of your day working with our staff behind the scenes.  Prepare food for the box turtles, make vegetable jello, create treats for the otters, and prep food for the largest tank in the Aquarium.  Once meals are prepared, watch the otters eat their snacks and observe the fish and sharks feast in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit.  Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get a little "fishy."

Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch are required. Ages: 8 and up

Program begins at 9:00 am. Staff will meet participants at Admission area in front gate entrance.  Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 

9:00am to 2:00pm

August 23 & 30

September 13 & 20

October 4 & 18

Or, call to request a private program:  252-475-2327.

$52 per Person
$46.80 for NC Aquarium Members

Venture behind the scenes of the Aquarium’s 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit to observe one of the weekly shark feedings.  Participants will assist a broadcast feed for the fish but will not be able to assist with the shark feeding. Guests will get a close look as all of the fish and sharks feast on favorite food. 

Aquarium admission purchased separately. Ages: 6 and up 

Program begins at 12:30 pm. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Staff will meet participants at Visitor Services area in the lobby.

August 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 & 30

September 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 27 & 29

October 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 23 & 27

Closed toe shoes are required. 

$12, Plus Regular Admission
$10.80 for NC Aquarium Members

Bring your child to take advantage of a fun-filled toddler animal hour.  Beginning at 11:00 am, each session encourages hands-on learning of a new animal topic or nature theme using stories, crafts, and occasionally free time in the Aquarium.  Parents can sit back and relax, as little ones play while accompanied by our education staff. 

Ages: 2-5. Advanced registration is strongly recommended. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Services area in the lobby.

September 12-  Amphibians; September 13- Crabs; September 19- Turtles; September 20- Fish

October 4- Jellies; October 10 & 18- Birds; October 17- Snakes; October 24- Anglerfish; October 25 & 31- Creepy Crawlies

Get an exciting start to your day at the Aquarium as you assist our staff with a morning feeding, while learning about a few of the resident species. Participants will feed the stingrays at the touch tank and then snack on a light breakfast of “people” food. 

Ages 6 & up. Closed toe shoes required. Program begins at 8:30 am. Staff will meet participants at Admissions area in front gate entrance.

August 2, 16, 23 & 30

September 6, 21 & 27

October 25

$19 Plus Regular Admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Members

The river otters at the Aquarium have fun most anytime of the day!  Learn more about otter behavior and biology as you design an enrichment toy to share with these playful animals. Participants savor a true otter snack before seeing the otters enjoy their own treats and their newly designed "toys." The program concludes with a glance behind the river otter exhibit, while the river otters continue to play on the front side of the exhibit. 

Closed toe shoes are required. Ages: 6 and up 

Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Services area in the lobby.  

August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

September 5, 12, 21, 26, & 28

October 10, 17 & 31

$19 per Person, Plus Regular Admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Members

Take a short visit behind the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic Exhibit.  Peek into the dive locker, learn about an out-of-site holding tank, and get an overhead view of the largest exhibit in the Aquarium.

Aquarium admission purchased separately. Ages: 6 and up 

Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Service area in the lobby. Closed toe shoes are required. 

10:00 am: September 4, 7, 11 & 27; October 4, 5, 12 & 18

11:00 am: August 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 & 31; September 5, 6, 14, 21 & 28

2:00pm: August 14 & 28; September 15, 22 & 29; October 3, 13, 23, 24 & 31

3:00pm: August 1, 2, 15, 22, 24, 25, 29 & 30; September 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 & 28; October 6, 10, 11 & 30

$8, Plus Regular Admission
$7.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Where do the otters go when they are not on exhibit?  Step behind the scenes to see some of their enrichment toys, favorite snacks, and living quarters, while the otters continue to play in their exhibit.

Aquarium admission purchased separately. Closed toe shoes are required. Ages: 6 and up

Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Staff will meet participants at Visitor Services area in the lobby.

10:00 am: September 1, 15, 18, 22 & 25; October 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 & 31

2:00 pm: August 3, 10, 17 & 24; September 13, 14, 19 & 20; October 24 & 26

$11, Plus Regular Admission
$9.90 for NC Aquarium Members

Stroll through our quarantine building to see where our animals come from and how they move into the Aquarium.  This exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunity exposes visitors to our animal hospital and holding area- the first stop for our animals upon their arrival to the Aquarium.

Closed toe shoes are required. Ages: 12 and up 

2:00 pm: August 10, 11 & 31

$11, Plus Regular Admission
$9.90 for NC Aquarium Members