The North Carolina Aquariums today celebrate their official 50th anniversary, marking five decades of connecting generations of visitors with North Carolina’s extraordinary aquatic life and environments. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), the NC Aquariums are celebrating 50 years of connecting people with the wonders of aquatic life, inspiring appreciation, advancing education, and promoting conservation.
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The NC Aquarium Society received a $25,000 grant from New Hanover County to support the expansion and renovation of the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF), helping advance new habitats, educational spaces, and visitor experiences. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina Aquariums connect more than a million visitors to the aquatic world each year, inspiring care and conservation of nature.
Food, fun and fintastic trivia await at the 2026 Suds for Sharks Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Savard Beer & Board hosted by the NC Aquarium Society to raise funds for shark conservation. Shark experts from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) will make this an unforgettable afternoon with trivia, bingo, one-on-one chats and exciting updates on shark conservation. This family-friendly event will also feature fun for children as our teams are committed to inspiring the next generation of shark conservationists.
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 9-12, with a series of public events inviting guests to join in the festivities. The aquarium, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and one of four facilities in the N.C. Aquariums system, first opened its doors to the public on Sept. 9, 1976.
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) invites the community to add a really cool item to their 2026 school list—a Back-to-School Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 22, 8-10 a.m. at Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach. The town offers free parking for the cleanup volunteers and the Aquarium provides reusable gloves, pickers and bags. The NC Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
North Carolina Aquariums are participating in a nationwide collaboration among public aquariums and research institutions in the development of new methods to breed more than 20 marine fish species in human care. The initiative reduces reliance on wild-caught animals while launching new public resources to help advance sustainable aquaculture.
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.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Splashes Into Summer with Fresh, Fun-Filled Camps for Kids
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.