Fort Fisher Plan Your Visit

Hours of admission

Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. year-round
The Aquarium will be closing at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 (last ticket sold at 2:30 p.m.) and at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 (last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.) for the annual Trick or Treat Under the Sea event. Doors reopen for those with event tickets at 4:30 p.m. 

*The Aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

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General Admission Prices

Group Discounts: Group rates are available for school groups (out-of-state) and recognized civic organizations. These organizations, with 15 or more visiting, qualify for a 15% discount off normal admission when the group registers in advance and purchases all tickets with one payment. For more information contact our registrar at or call 910-772-0542.
School Groups: North Carolina school groups are admitted free if registered in advance. Click here for information on Home Schools.
Free Admission Days: The Aquarium admits all visitors free of charge on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the third Monday each January.

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ADDRESS

900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449
The Aquarium is located in Kure Beach on US 421, about 20 miles south of Wilmington.
From Southport, take the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. See ferry schedule here.

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food and drink

Enjoy a variety of food and drinks at the SharkBites snack bar. SharkBites is open daily from March through September and on weekends during October and November.

Group Meal Plan

March – September: Monday – Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5
October: Thursday – Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5
November: Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5
Closed December – February

iNSIDER TIPS

Tips and insider information to make your visit to the Aquarium fin-tastic:

• Parking is free. Designated parking for individuals with disabilities is located near the Aquarium entrance.
• Most visitors tour the Aquarium in about two hours. Allow more time if you plan to take in the free daily programs, go on a tour or explore more.
• Planning your visit for April or May? You may share your experience with many young visitors. Large school groups generally visit the Aquarium from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays during the spring months.
• Areas of the aquarium may be closed and some animals may not be visible for a variety of reasons including regular or special care for the animals and their living space. Refunds or exchanges are not possible in cases of closed areas or unavailable animals. Please contact us if you have questions about specific animals or experiences.
• Trained service animals are welcome in the Aquarium. Please inform Visitor Services if a trained service animal will be assisting you.
• Animals, other than service animals, are not allowed in the Aquarium. New Hanover County ordinance prohibits owners from leaving dogs unattended in a vehicle or tied up. Leaving a pet inside a car can be harmful to the animal.

• The Aquarium is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available upon request for on-site use.
• Strollers are permitted. Strollers greater than 36" wide maybe too large for certain doorways. The Aquarium does not loan or rent strollers or provide a stroller-checking service.
• No food or drinks are allowed indoors. Enjoy refreshments on the snack bar deck or at one of the picnic tables on the far side of the parking lot. 
• Barbecue grills, fire pits and open flames are prohibited on Aquarium grounds.
• The Aquarium buildings are smoke-free including electronic/vapor cigarettes. Smoking is only permitted outside of the garden exit gate and parking area.
• Built-in flash devices on still cameras are permitted. Flashlights, laser pointers and video lights are not. Please keep these and any other lighting devices off as you tour the Aquarium, for animal safety. For commercial photography and filming, please visit the Press Room.