a spotted salamander looking up at the camera

Field Trips

PLAN AN UNFORGETTABLE FIELD TRIP

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.

REQUEST A FIELD TRIP ONLINE
PRINTABLE FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORM
TYPES OF SCHOOL GROUP PROGRAMS
A group of children in an auditorium with an educator in the middle of the group
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. 
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. 
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. 
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.  
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 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. 

Register your group in advance 

Advanced 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 2022/2023 school year are available for visit dates between September 7, 2022, and June 17, 2023. 
  • Reservations can be made for visits Monday - Friday only, blackout dates apply for certain holidays and school break periods. 
  • Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of the 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 facility's 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 in advance for Aquarium entry.