Topics Related to North Carolina Aquariums / Jennette's Pier

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores turns 50 this year. To celebrate, the Aquarium will offer two unique events on July 11 as part of a year-long run of events celebrating the three North Carolina Aquariums. NCAPKS is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

A Birthday Splash daytime event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 11 at the Aquarium and is free with admission or membership. Rock the Reef, an evening event for ages 21 and up, will follow from 7-10 p.m. and will be a ticketed event.

When one door closes another one opens! NC Aquariums Discovery Bay is now open at Independence Mall, a unique underwater world for shoppers to visit right next to their favorite shops. With the official ribbon cutting today, Wednesday, July 8, visitors began touring this mini aquarium which features seahorses, frogs, fish and carnivorous plants. During the yearslong closure of the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) for renovation and expansion, this spot creates connection between the team and the community.

Summer is in full swing at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island as the aquarium launches a refreshed lineup of hands-on, imagination-fueled camps for children ages 6 to 13. The aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and is one of four facilities within the N.C. Aquariums system.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher officially broke ground today on a major renovation and expansion that will make it the largest aquarium in North Carolina. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina Aquariums inspire care and conservation of nature by connecting more than a million visitors to the aquatic world each year.

Stormtroopers, princesses and droids are invited to dust off their costumes for the third annual May the 4th Beach Cleanup hosted by the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) Monday, May 4, 8-10 a.m. at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The North Carolina Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. 

It’s easy to run into a crab or a sandpiper in the coastal region of North Carolina – visitors and local folks are often witnesses to the marvels of nature that make up the state’s delicate ecosystems. Each organism from a frog to a fern is critical to the habitat and because of their importance, the North Carolina Aquariums are leading the Coastal North Carolina team in the NC Bioblitz—part of the City Nature Challenge (CNC) April 24-27. Science Across NC created the NC Bioblitz to encourage participation in the CNC in the state.

2026 Race for the Planet hosted by the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is more than your ordinary 5K, it’s an invigorating reminder of how everyone has a part in protecting the planet and this year, it’s during the 50th anniversary of the North Carolina Aquariums. Runners are invited to run with a purpose on Sunday, April 19 at 8 a.m. at Battle Acre Park and then stay a bit to celebrate at a post-run festival. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Nyx, Baloo and Bodhi will have an opportunity to take the splash into the big pool at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) on Wednesday, March 11, 9 a.m. at Otters on the Edge. It’s a unique rite of passage for these Asian small-clawed otter pups and one that the community can join in on alongside staff and volunteers. The pups, now three months old, met the milestones of swimming, climbing and eating solid foods.

Otter Ray is turning seven on March 7 and that means it’s the golden birthday for this otterly amazing ambassador at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF). Ray is an Asian small-clawed otter and has a taste for krill, smelt and shrimp, so his birthday cake will be custom made for him by the otter keepers. The Aquarium invites the community to join the celebration Saturday, March 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Otters on the Edge. The North Carolina Aquariums are a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Appreciation for our natural world is something the community can rally around. Turning that into action inspired the 2026 Wilmington Community Science Fest March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.