NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island Celebrating 50 YEARS in 2026! Inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments since 1976.
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Plan your future visit today:
www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island View the social media public comments statement at https://www.ncdcr.gov/social-media-public-comments-guidelines. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located on the Outer Banks and educates visitors on the state's many ecosystems and the animals inhabiting them. This journey begins with Seven Rivers and ends at the Grave

yard of the Atlantic. This 285,000-gallon exhibit houses tsandbar and sand tiger sharks and features a replica of the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad which sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras in late December 1862. Alligators, turtles, fish, and the ever-popular North American river otters are featured in Wild Wetlands. The Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center is a 3,000 square-foot facility allowing staff and volunteers to maintain an excellent level of care for sick and ailing sea turtles. Visitors have the opportunity to see the turtle patients through viewing windows on the holding tanks and hear their recovery stories from the people who help them every day. When they are fully rehabilitated, the sea turtles are released back into the wild. After learning about sea turtles at the Center, diagnose and care for a replica of an injured sea turtle in the interactive and hands-on exhibit Sea Turtle Rescue. Touch a stingray, a purple urchin, or a hermit crab in Sea Senses. Free programs are offered every day, and, for an additional fee, guests can see and learn even more about our animals during a behind-the-scenes tour or participate in a camp or other special activity. Stroll along the educational soundside pier, a popular location for wedding ceremonies. The Aquarium is equipped to host receptions and other special events.

✨ A peaceful evening awaits next Wednesday ✨We’re inviting you to join us for another calming Sound Bath Under the Sea a...
06/11/2026

✨ A peaceful evening awaits next Wednesday ✨

We’re inviting you to join us for another calming Sound Bath Under the Sea after hours.
Each session has been a little different, and this one will bring its own unique sense of peace and renewal. It’s a wonderful way to unwind, reconnect, and treat yourself to a quiet moment.
Settle in, relax, let the gentle vibrations help melt away the mid‑week stress. 🥳
Details and sign‑up link are in the comments!

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Another beach clean‑up for the books — and this one was open to the public! 🌊✨�Every piece of trash we collected does mo...
06/11/2026

Another beach clean‑up for the books — and this one was open to the public! 🌊✨�

Every piece of trash we collected does more than tidy up the shoreline. It keeps plastic out of the ocean where it can harm marine life, protects coastal ecosystems, and creates a cleaner, safer space for our community to enjoy. Even one full bag of trash makes a difference when you consider how long debris can remain in the environment and how far it can travel.

This clean‑up reminded us why these efforts matter: healthier oceans, safer wildlife, and a coastline our community can be proud of. And we’re just getting started!

Many more PUBLIC volunteer events are coming soon — stay tuned for details. Join us next time and be part of the impact! 💙 💙

🐢 Pancake anyone? Just kidding — meet the spiny softshell turtle!With its flat, pancake-shaped shell and long snorkel-li...
06/11/2026

🐢 Pancake anyone? Just kidding — meet the spiny softshell turtle!

With its flat, pancake-shaped shell and long snorkel-like nose, this unique turtle is built for life in the water. Unlike most turtles, spiny softshells have a soft, leathery shell instead of a hard one, and they’re surprisingly fast swimmers that spend much of their time buried in the sand with only their nose sticking out to breathe.

Jump into the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island and meet this pancake and all of their friends every day from 9 - 5.

Book your tickets in advance at the link in the bio to secure your spot today!

This upcoming week is going to be way too hot outside! Come cool off with us!Escape the heat and spend the day exploring...
06/10/2026

This upcoming week is going to be way too hot outside! Come cool off with us!

Escape the heat and spend the day exploring amazing aquatic animals and interactive exhibits, all while staying comfortably indoors.

Don't forget to book your tickets in advance online to secure your spot! Stay cool, make some memories, and dive into a day of discovery. 🌊 🐠

While sea turtles, sharks, and otters usually steal the spotlight, some of our most fascinating residents are the ones q...
06/10/2026

While sea turtles, sharks, and otters usually steal the spotlight, some of our most fascinating residents are the ones quietly making an impact behind the scenes. From our spotted salamander, to our curious snakes, these incredible animals each play a vital role in their ecosystems! 🐚🦎

Today were giving a little extra appreciation to the creatures that don't always get the attention they deserve. Which little guy is your favorite? 🦀

06/10/2026

🌊 Want to make a difference? Here are 5 simple ways you can help keep our oceans clean — small steps that truly add up 💙

Let’s protect the places we love together!

It's a turtle'ly great day to visit the NC Aquarium! 🐢💙Reservations are filling up fast, so be sure to mozy over to the ...
06/09/2026

It's a turtle'ly great day to visit the NC Aquarium! 🐢💙

Reservations are filling up fast, so be sure to mozy over to the website and book your tickets in advance before they’re all gone.

To grab your spot, check the link in the comments — open from 9–5 today! 🌊✨

Shark personality quiz, aquarium edition. Which species are you repping? Fun fact: epaulette sharks can WALK across the ...
06/08/2026

Shark personality quiz, aquarium edition. Which species are you repping?
Fun fact: epaulette sharks can WALK across the seafloor using their fins. How cool is that?

06/08/2026

Today is World Ocean Day, a global celebration and call to action centered on this year’s theme:

“REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean.”

This theme challenges us to rethink how we connect with the ocean—not simply as a resource to use, but as a living system that supports all life on Earth. The focus areas encourage humanity to close the distance between our daily lives and the ocean, shifting from passive inheritors of its resources to active guardians of its future.

At the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, we see firsthand how connected we are to the ocean and the incredible wildlife that depends on it. From sea turtles and sharks to fish, invertebrates, and coastal habitats, every species plays a role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.

This World Ocean Day, consider ways you can help protect our blue planet:
🌊 Reduce single-use plastics
🌊 Participate in local cleanups
🌊 Make sustainable seafood choices
🌊 Support conservation efforts
🌊 Learn more about the ocean and share that knowledge with others

Together, we can reimagine a future where people and the ocean thrive side by side.

Address

374 Airport Road
Manteo, NC
27954

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12524752300

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