WELCOME TO THE NORTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM ON ROANOKE ISLAND!

 Interested in joining our Membership program- click here to learn more about our membership program and membership benefits.

Add on an “Aquarium Explorer” activity book that will guide your visit at the aquarium. These are available for purchase at the ticket windows.

Matching IDs are required for:

-Membership Reservations

-Military Discounts

-NC EBT Discounts

-NC Zoo Membership Discounts

-Other AZA reciprocal membership, click here to see participating zoos and aquariums

Refunds or exchanges must be requested at least 24 hours prior to your reservation time.

Animals and Pets are not allowed at the aquarium. We welcome any ADA qualified service animal that is trained to perform a specific task.

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.

Some Mondays at 11:00am

Some Tuesdays at 1:00pm

Some Thursdays at 10:00am

*click reserve button to see available dates

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.

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

Cast your line and learn the basics needed to catch your first fish!  Assemble tackle, bait your hook, identify fish species, and practice catch-and-release techniques.  Bring your patience as we try our luck fishing from our Soundside Pier.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages 5 & up - Children ages 5-13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult.

Some Mondays, Fridays at 10am

Some Tuesdays, Thursdays at 1:00pm

Some Wednesdays at 2:30pm

*click reserve button to see available dates

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

Please note that this program may be cancelled on the day of the program due to inclement weather or air quality alerts for our area.  Participants would be notified of these cancellations and receive a full refund for their program.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to the date of the program.  You can purchase tickets here.

$18.00 per Person, Plus Regular Admission

$16.20 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Explore the outdoors with NC Aquarium instructors while kayaking the waters surrounding Roanoke Island. This leisurely outing is a perfect trip for the beginner. Paddlers should expect to get a little wet as we explore the hidden parts of Roanoke Island in search of local animals, native plants, and ever-shifting shorelines. All equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary. Bring your water bottle, sunscreen, and sense of adventure to join our staff on the water!

Ages: 6 and up - Children ages 6-12 must share a kayak with a paying adult. Closed toe water shoes are required. 

Some Tuesdays, Thursdays at 9:30am. *click reserve button to see available dates

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

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

Please note that this program may be cancelled on the day of the program due to inclement weather or air quality alerts for our area.  Participants would be notified of these cancellations and receive a full refund for their program.

$45 per Person
$40.50 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Come to this class prepared to test your luck crabbing. Participants will learn some basic biology of the blue crab and experience line crabbing firsthand from the Aquarium's Soundside Pier on the lower dock.

Ages 5 & up - Children ages 5-12 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.

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

Some Wednesdays at 9:30am

Some Mondays at 1:30

Some Tuesdays, Thursdays at 2:00pm

Some Fridays at 2:30pm

*Click the Reserve button below to see available dates.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to the date of the program. You can purchase tickets here.

Please note that this program may be cancelled on the day of the program due to inclement weather or air quality alerts for our area. Participants would be notified of these cancellations and receive a full refund for their program.

$18.00 per Person, Plus Regular Admission

$16.20 for NC Aquarium Society Members

Are you interested in learning more about our local pollinators and how to attract them to your yard?  Do you want to know more about what native plants are blooming in the late summer and early fall?  

Join our Horticulture team for a tour of the Pollinator Garden at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island!  The pollinator garden is designed to reflect local ecosystems that are found in the Outer Banks, and as such participants can learn about native plants that are adapted to their own local growing conditions.  The tour will also include discussions about the life cycles of pollinator species that we find on our walk through the garden and will be followed by question-and-answer session with our Horticulturist. 

Date: Monday, October 7, 2024

Time: 2:30 pm

$5 per Person - Garden Tour Only

$4.50 per Person, Garden Tour Only - for NC Aquarium Society Members

 *Admission to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is not included, but can be purchased separately

All activities will take place outdoors. Closed toe shoes are required.  

Ages:  8 and up - Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Rachel Veal at rachel.veal@ncaquariums.com

Are you interested in learning more about our local pollinators and how to attract them to your yard?  Do you want to know more about what native plants are blooming in the late summer and early fall?  

Join our Horticulture team for a tour of the Pollinator Garden at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island!  The pollinator garden is designed to reflect local ecosystems that are found in the Outer Banks, and as such participants can learn about native plants that are adapted to their own local growing conditions.  The tour will also include discussions about the life cycles of pollinator species that we find on our walk through the garden and will be followed by question-and-answer session with our Horticulturist. 

Date: Monday, October 7, 2024

Time: 2:30 pm

$5 per Person - Garden Tour Only

$4.50 per Person, Garden Tour Only - for NC Aquarium Society Members

 *Admission to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is not included, but can be purchased separately

All activities will take place outdoors. Closed toe shoes are required.  

Ages:  8 and up - Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Rachel Veal at rachel.veal@ncaquariums.com