Special Events

Suds for Sharks

May 19

Raise a glass for sharks and celebrate this charismatic animal during Suds 4 Sharks, a shark conservation fundraiser 5:30 p.m. -8 p.m. May 19 at Crystal Coast Brewing Company in Atlantic Beach. We’ll have a silent auction of shark-themed swag. We'll update you with speakers and more information. Part of our Party for the Planet Celebration! 

City Nature Challenge

April 28- May 1

Started in 2016 as a competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the CNC is an annual four-day global "bioblitz" at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal, and also which city can gather the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the event.


Joining Team Coastal NC is a Snap! 

1.     Download the iNaturalist app & Create an Account

2.     Snap photos of wild plants & animals

3.     Upload & share your observations

Carnival to Combat Climate Change

April 29

Learning about climate change, how to mitigate its impacts, and ways to help the environment, shouldn't be scary. Youth Leaders at the Aquarium wanted to host an event that allowed teens, young adults, and other youth to discuss climate and environmental issues in an educational but fun way. Carnival to Combat Climate Change brings together youth and community leaders in conservation and science. 

The event will be held at the Aquarium from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 29. Community leaders in science and conservation will be stationed at booths and ready to talk about climate change. Educators will be hosting fun activities throughout the day.

The event was made possible by a grant from NOAA in conjunction with Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) Network.

Toddler Time

Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. 15 participants max

Stories, crafts, songs, puppets, and animal encounters, oh, my! Enjoy a special morning with your young children during Toddler Time, most Wednesdays. We'll be holding only one session each Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. There is limited seating for each session (15 children per session) and the program is specially designed for children 18 months to 3 years of age. Toddler Time is super popular and fills quickly, so get here early!    

Our activities feature a different animal each week! Learn about otters one week and amphibians the next. Some of the celebrity creatures include box turtles, hermit crabs, otters, sea turtles, lobsters, sea stars, and seashells. Toddler Time is free with admission or membership. The program runs every week until March. This program is very popular and fills up quickly, so be sure to arrive a few minutes before the start of the program. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

The Aquarium’s indoor play area, “Imagination Bay,” is another fun space for active little ones to experience the Aquarium.  Located near the Aquarium gift shop, there’s seating for adults and plenty of fun for little ones. Free with admission or membership. And, don't forget to let loose outside at the Tree-mendous Playground.

Advisory Committee

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Advisory Committee regularly meets quarterly at the Aquarium from 1-3 p.m. The Advisory Committee had its first meeting of 2023 in February. The following are the next scheduled Advisory Committee meetings: Wednesday, May 10, 2023; Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023; Wednesday, November 8, 2023.