Guided by a commitment to conservation, education, and passion for inspiring the community to protect the environment, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is launching the first phase of a $65 million expansion and renovation later this year. At the heart of this unprecedented project is the largest shark habitat in North Carolina, deepening community connections and expanding the Aquarium into the largest in the state. This multi-year renovation will transform the visitor experience on an extraordinary scale.
“This project is about more than updating our facilities; it’s about moving boldly into the future, with a reimagined visitor experience unlike any other in the state,” said Hap Fatzinger, director for the North Carolina Aquariums Division. “We’re creating new, dynamic spaces that educate, connect, and empower our community.”
Along with the expansive new shark habitat, the project includes an interactive touch pool, a live coral reef habitat, a state-of-the-art education center with a seamless pathway to outdoor learning, and a breathtaking rooftop sky deck. Students, educators, and families will come face-to-fin with the aquatic world in meaningful, lasting ways, discovering new experiential opportunities to connect with science, and conservation. The Aquarium will begin construction on the expansion later this year. The North Carolina Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
NC Aquarium Society Support
The North Carolina Aquarium Society launched Beneath the Surface: The Campaign for the North Carolina Aquariums to support this expansion. This campaign is a bold initiative to transform the way people of all ages learn about and engage with aquatic life and is supporting major renovation efforts at all three North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier with the primary focus on the renovation of the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
This campaign has already raised more than $60 million thanks to support from the State of North Carolina and generous early supporters, including $2 million from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation and $7.5 million from The Endowment in New Hanover County. Additional funds are needed to support the work at all the sites. The Aquarium Society is initiating the public phase of the campaign and invites all who value aquatic education and conservation to support.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generous investments we’ve already received,” said Liz Baird, NC Aquarium Society President & CEO. “We now ask our community to help us cross the finish line. Every donation, no matter the size, will make waves and bring us closer to ensuring that aquatic life in North Carolina flourishes for generations to come.”
For more information on the capital campaign or to donate, visit www.ncaquariumsociety.com/campaign.
Looking to the Future
While the Aquarium undergoes this monumental transformation, the facility will close to the public this fall. Follow the NCAFF social media channels to find updates and information as the project unfolds.
Online Tickets Required
The Aquarium is anticipating a busy summer season. Visitors should plan their visit as spots fill up quickly. Online reservations are required to visit the Aquarium at NCAFF Tickets.
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About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.The Aquarium is accredited through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders*: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
About North Carolina Aquarium Society
The North Carolina Aquarium Society is a nonprofit (501c3) organization dedicated to supporting the North Carolina Aquariums through private fundraising, membership, and revenue generation. Established in 1986, the society partners with the N.C. Aquariums to enhance exhibits, animal care, education programs, and conservation initiatives beyond what state funding provides.