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 visit a behind the scenes prep kitchen, broadcast feed the stingrays at the touch pool, and then snack on a light breakfast of “people” food in our classroom while learning a little more about stingrays!  

Ages 6 & up- Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. Closed toe shoes are required.

Programs begin at 8:30 am.

Most Tuesdays

Registration closes at 2:00pm, the day prior to program, if there are no reservations.

$19 per person, Plus Regular Aquarium 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 prepare an enrichment treat to share with these playful animals.  Participants will savor a true otter snack before seeing their enrichment contributions go on exhibit with the otters.  Help us enhance the well-being of our river otters with a daily treat challenge.

Ages: 6 and up - Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult.

Registration closes 11am, prior to program, if there are no reservations.
$19 per Person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Member

Bring your child to enjoy a fun-filled 45-minute toddler time.  Each session encourages hands-on learning of a new animal, habitat topic or nature theme using stories, crafts, and occasionally guided time in the Aquarium.  Parents can sit back and relax nearby, as little ones play while accompanied by our education staff. 

Ages: 3-5. 

Advanced registration is strongly recommended; we will close registration 1 hour prior to the program start time if we do not have 4 toddlers registered. 

Most Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

December 5: Marine Mammals at 11am

December 10: Splashy Stingrays at 1pm

December 12: Sea Turtles at 11am

December 17: Frogs vs. Toads at 1pm

December 19: J for Jellies at 11am

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here.

$8 per child, Plus regular Aquarium admission

$7.20 NC Aquarium Member
No program fee for adults, but regular admission rates apply.

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.  Learn about water quality, visit and interact with animal ambassadors, and prep food for a few animals who live in the Aquarium. Lastly, 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."

Ages: 8 and up. Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch are required. This program utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.

Some Wednesdays    9:00am-2:00pm

Registration closes at 12:00pm, the day prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission ticket IS included in the price, please check-in with the instructor out front at the Admission Gatehouse upon arrival. 

$52 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$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 not be able to assist with the shark feeding, but can help broadcast feed the fish and watch the sharks and fish feast on their favorite food. 

Ages: 8 and up - Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.   

Some Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00.

Registration closes 15mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$20 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$18 for NC Aquarium Members

Accompany an Aquarium educator to sneak a peek behind the scenes of different areas in the Aquarium. Visitors will see the exhibits, animals, and all the systems that keep them working, from a side normally viewed by staff only.

Ages 8 and up- Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes a few stairs.

Most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00.

Registration closes 15 mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$18 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Discover why we say jellies and not jellyfish, learn more about these underwater jewels and delicate drifters. Take an educator-led tour to "Delicate Drifters" exhibit and watch these otherworldly creatures drift about. Venture behind-the-scenes to learn about their anatomy, life cycle, stinging cells called nematocysts, and how the Aquarium is working to sustainably aquaculture species of jellies for our organization. Join a guided tour today!  

Ages 8 and up- Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. Closed toe shoes are required. 

Most Tuesdays at 1:00. 

Registration closes at 11:00am, the day of program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$18 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Take a short visit behind the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic Exhibit.  Walk over and check out some dive equipment, learn about an out-of-sight holding area, and get an overhead view of the largest exhibit in the Aquarium.

Ages: 6 and up - Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available. *Please be advised there might be some construction work and noise with elevator project.

Some Tuesdays at 2:00.

Some Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 3:00.

Registration closes 15 mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$16 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$14.40 for NC Aquarium Member

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. 

Ages 12 and up- Children, age 12, must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier.  Closed toe shoes are required.

September 5, 20 & 30 at 11:00.

Most Mondays at 11:00

Registration closes 45mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with instructor in the lobby.

$16 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$14.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Bring your creative ideas and incorporate natural items from the sea into a grapevine wreath for decorative use year round, or highlight your wreath with holiday accents. We will provide one wreath per person, shells, moss, ribbon, dried flowers, and other maritime castoffs. We encourage you to bring in special shells or other treasures to personalize your wreath. 

Ages: 8 and Up.  Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here.

Some Fridays at 10:00.

Registration closes 1 hour prior to program, if there are no reservations.

$21 per Person, Plus Regular Admission
$18.90 for NC Aquarium Members

Test your skills with the ancient art form of Gyotaku, Japanese fish printing.  Discover how this art form originated and learn a thing or two about fish anatomy while you create your very own Gyotaku t-shirt to take home.  All supplies, including one t-shirt per person, are provided. 
Ages: 6 and Up - Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier.  

Some Tuesdays at 1:00.

Registration closes 1 hour prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program.

Buy tickets here.  Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

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

Come check out our sea turtle patients in the Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation (STAR) Center and join us for an in-depth look at our sea turtle hospital. Engage in an educational discussion about sea turtle species, learn what the sea turtles eat, visit the treatment room, and discover how you can help these endangered species.  

Ages: 8 and up - Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required.

Some Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00.

*December-February, please check back after cold-stun winter season for tour dates

Registration closes 30 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$18 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members