Plan An Unforgetable Fieldtrip
Take your class on a journey “from North Carolina’s mountains to the sea.” The Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals from across the state. In our galleries, explore a mountain waterfall and trout pool, a cypress swamp, river otters, jellyfish and our Living Shipwreck, holding more than 300,000 gallons of water, big sharks and an ocean of fishes. Enjoy two hands-on touch pools with your students. Our auditorium seats 150 for live animal presentations and other programs. For a nominal fee, sign your group up for a lab, an outdoor adventure or a special tour
Register your group in advance for free admission
Advance registration of students, teachers and staff is required for free admission. Register early – the Aquarium is a popular destination and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The admission fee for registered parent chaperones is $8 per person.
School Field Trip Information
Some schools are eligible for free admission to the Aquarium. These include North Carolina K-12 Public Schools, Private Schools, Registered Home Schools, and Qualifying Preschools. To receive free admission, schools must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Reservations for the 2021/2022 school year are available for visit dates between September 7, 2021 and June 17, 2022.
- Reservations can be made for visits Monday - Friday only, black out dates apply for certain holidays and school break periods.
- Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of visit date.
- A ratio of one adult chaperone for every ten students is strongly recommended. Chaperones must remain with and supervise their students at all times.
- Please be sure to review our facilities current operations before planning your trip.
- Reservations for free entry are for students in your classes only: siblings and other children are not included in the free admission.
- Additional guests must purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.
North Carolina Public and Private Schools (K-12)
- NC Public and Private School (K-12) staff are eligible for free admission with their group.
- Teachers can request reduced rate chaperone tickets as a part of their reservation. All chaperone tickets must be purchased together as one transaction.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.
North Carolina Qualifying Preschools
- Qualifying Preschools must operate in the State of North Carolina and receive State funding or be a part of the More at Four program. Proof of qualifying status may be requested at the time of your reservation.
- NC Qualifying Preschool staff are eligible for free admission with their group.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.
North Carolina Home Schools (K-12)
- Registered North Carolina Homeschool students are eligible for one free admission ticket per school year.
- NC home schools must be registered with the state of North Carolina to receive free entry.
- NC home schools must make individual school reservations, not as a group.
- Eligible NC home school reservations receive one complimentary adult admission per reservation for the adult listed on the NC Homeschool registration.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.
Out-of-State Public and Private Schools (K-12)
- Out-of-state schools are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier.
- Group Sales Discounts are not offered at this time.
- Out of state schools are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online.
Out-of-State Home Schools
- Out-of-state home schools are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier.
- Discounts on tickets/admission are not being offered at this time.
- Out of state schools are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online.
Colleges and Universities
- Colleges and Universities are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier.
- Group Sales Discounts are not being offered at this time.
- College and University Groups are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online.
For more information and questions concerning field trips, please contact the Registrar at 252-247-4003 x257 or e-mail [email protected]