About

connections to nature & aquatic life

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher connects visitors with the wonders of nature and aquatic wildlife. The Aquarium and its sister facilities, the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, and Jennette's Pier in Nags Head are dedicated to inspiring appreciation and conservation for aquatic environments in North Carolina and around the world. 

Sister Aquariums & Pier

Our Mission: To inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores originally opened in 1976. It closed at the end of 2003 for a major renovation that tripled its size, and reopened in May 2006.

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North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island

Located on the Outer Banks, three miles north of Manteo on Roanoke Island, the Aquarium is an educational attraction focused on “inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.

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Jennette's Pier

Anglers can experience some of the best fishing on the East Coast from this 1,000 - foot long, concrete pier that reaches out over the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the time of year, fishermen can target a wide variety of fish.

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OUR History

The three Aquariums initially opened as Marine Science Centers in 1976. The facilities were renamed as Aquariums in 1986. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Aquariums underwent expansions to their current dimensions. Jennette's Pier in Nags Head joined the Aquariums in 2011. The Aquariums and Pier are owned by the state of North Carolina and are administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR). 

find us

We are in Kure Beach along the coast of southeastern North Carolina, near the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. The Aquarium is 20 miles south of Wilmington and a short ferry ride across the river from Southport. Map it. 

 

More to Know

The Aquariums and Pier are owned by the state of North Carolina and are administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR). The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is one of only 238 accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the highest standards in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. In addition, the Aquarium is an AZA partner in SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction. The Aquarium received initial AZA accreditation in 1990 and received its most recent inspection in 2023. The Aquariums are buoyed by the support of the North Carolina Aquarium Society.

Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature. If you’re interested in discovering your family’s genealogy, exploring North Carolina history, or experiencing our state's rich arts culture and natural beauty, you're in the right place!

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Association of Zoos & Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA represents more than 235 facilities in the United States and overseas, which collectively draw more than 200 million visitors every year.

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North Carolina Aquarium Society

In 1986, the North Carolina Aquarium Society was formed as a nonprofit (501c3) support organization to assist the Aquariums in the fulfillment of their mission. Through a Memorandum of Agreement with NCDNCR, the Society partners with the Aquariums to raise private funds to make them better—by supporting their priorities of new exhibits, animals, education programs and conservation initiatives.

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Partners in Conservation

The North Carolina Aquariums value the passion, enthusiasm and conservation work of organizations that collaborate with us.

Seafood WATCH

When you choose to buy sustainable seafood, you push suppliers to source more environmentally responsible products, driving significant improvements throughout the industry. Ultimately, your choices have an impact on the health of the ocean.

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Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Coalition of U.S. aquariums working together to increase our conservation impact.

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The Ocean Project

Partners involved in our global network are collaborating in transformative ways to grow the movement for a more equitable and sustainable society and a healthy blue planet.

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