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Maps
and Directions
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The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located
on US 421 approximately 15 miles south of Wilmington,
just beyond Kure Beach.
From Southport, take the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry.
For ferry schedule, call 910-457-6942 or Toll Free at
1-800-BYFERRY.
For directions from a specific location, call
1-800-832-FISH (3474) or contact
visitor services.
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| If you're in the area,
just follow the brown road signs, and they will lead
you right to the Aquarium.
You can also call toll free 1-866-301-3476 for directions
to the Aquarium.
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Road signs will also direct you to
the
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
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Exhibits
Click on map above for a larger view
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Hours
& Fees
Hours:
9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily year-round
Special Summer hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. every Thursday in July.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day,
New Year’s Day
Fees:
Adults: $8
Seniors: $7
Children: Ages 6-17: $6
5 and under: FREE
North Carolina Aquarium Society members: FREE
North Carolina school groups
that register in advance (during school year only:) FREE |
FREE DAYS:
MLK Birthday
Veteran’s Day
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Group Discounts: A 15 percent discount is offered for each person in
a group of 10 or more if ONE person handles payment for the group. Fees
with this discount: $6.80 for adults; $5.95 for seniors; $5.10 for ages
6-17.
School Chaperones:
All school employees (teachers, assistant teachers, principal etc.) and bus drivers admitted free with registered school groups. All other chaperones must pay 1/2 admission fee.
Military Discounts
The North Carolina Aquariums participate in the Military Voucher Program. Active duty and retired military personnel can purchase tickets at a discounted rate from many Tickets and Tours Offices at military bases nationwide. Tickets must be purchased in advance to receive a discount. Please contact the facilities closest to you for ticket prices or additional information.
Note:
Admission fees support maintenance, operations, and
development of new exhibits to maintain an exciting
and educational experience for Aquarium visitors.
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Daily
Programs & Events
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Programs
The Aquarium offers a wide variety of free programs
and activities year-round.
These are listed on the Aquarium’s
Interactive
Calendar of Events.
Daily programs include marine life videos, live animal
programs, audience participation games, demonstrations
and more. Live animal programs in the Aquarium auditorium
may feature alligators, sea turtles or snakes. Fish
in selected tanks are fed daily.
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Gathered around the tank for a daily
fish feeding program
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Gyotaku or fish printing
is just one of
our many exciting special
activities. |
Special Activities programs are also
offered. Example special activities are saltmarsh &
crabbing trips, surf-fishing workshops, fish printing
and more. For times and details, check the calendar.
Special Activity programs require advance registration
and a fee. This is noted on the Calendar of Events with
a single asterisk (*) for advance registration, and
double asterisk (**) for advance registration and fee.
For more information on programs or special activities,
contact us.
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Events
The Aquarium also lists Special Events on its calendar. Some
require fees and advance registration, others are free to
walk-in visitors. For
dates and details check the interactive events calendar.
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Accommodations
& Area Links
For where to stay, where to eat, and what to do while in
the area,
visit the following links:
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Accessability Guide
Handicapped Parking:
- Clearly marked handicapped parking is available near the aquarium’s front entrance.
Elevator
- A public elevator is accessible on the upper and lower levels of the Marine Building near the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit.
Wheelchair Accessibility
- Public entrances, exits, exhibits, water fountains and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Free wheelchairs are available upon request for on site use.
- Interpretive bike path and garden decks are wheelchair accessible.
Visually Impaired
- Guided tours are available free of charge. Pre-registration is required. Please call 910-458-7468 to register your group.
Hearing Impaired
- Assisted Listening devices providing amplified narration are available free of charge. With pre-registration visitors may receive guided aquarium tours and narration for feedings and other programs. Please call 910-458-7468 to arrange your visit.
- Closed-captioned films are available.
- Large print scripts are available for many of our free daily programs.
- Deaf Awareness Day, with accessible programming for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences, is a special event held each fall at the NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher. Watch our website for details.
Spanish Language
- Spanish language scripts are available for some free educational programs.
- Spanish language films are shown every Sunday.
- Please check with visitor services at the aquarium’s entrance for availability of Spanish scripts and films.
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Parking
From March through May, many school groups visit and buses
often fill the parking areas. Parking areas can also fill
to capacity during peak summer months. During these times,
and on rainy summer days, expect to park in the Aquarium's overflow parking lot
near the entrance gate.
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School
Groups
| School-age youngsters make
up a large part of aquarium visitors – as many
as 18,000 to 20,000 each year. Most visit between March
and May. The Aquarium asks that groups register at least
two weeks in advance. This allows the Aquarium to schedule
group visits in a timely manner so students have a more
enjoyable experience. In addition, calling ahead provides
a better opportunity to take advantage of a number of
school group activity options. With prior notice, a special
marine life video, live animal program, field trip experience
or other activity may be arranged. Groups can book an
aquarium visit for any time of year, however, the Aquarium
begins booking spring school group visits in January. |
A School group communicates with
a diver through an underwater microphone.
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North Carolina school groups that register in advance are
admitted free. Non-registered groups can be charged the standard
admission rate. If the building is filled to capacity, a non-registered
“drop-in” group may be asked to wait outside until
more space is available.
If your school group can't come to the Aquarium or would like to extend
your visit, let the Aquarium come to you! Click here for more information on our Outreach Program.
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Food
& Drinks
The SharkBites/TCBY snack bar, located on the food deck outside the Gift Shop, offers a variety of food and drink selections daily from March through September and on weekends during October and November.
Click here for a sample menu.
SharkBites HOURS:
March – Sept: Mon. – Sat. 10–5 Sun. 11–5
October: Thu. – Sat. 10-5 Sun. 11-5
November: Sat. 10-5 Sun 11-5
Dec. – Feb: CLOSED
Vending machines, on the food deck and outside the garden exit gates, offer a variety of snacks and drinks.
Water fountains are found at a number of locations inside the aquarium.
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Gift
Shop
The North Carolina Aquarium Society operates the Aquarium
gift shop, which offers a wide array of educational and aquatic-related
items. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Posters, games, books, field
guides, CDs, tapes, T-shirts, housewares, jewelry and other
unique and interesting items provide a wide variety of choices.
Visa, American Express, Discover, Mastercard and personal
checks are accepted. Gift shop proceeds are used to support
Aquarium programs and services.
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Photography
& Videos
All types of photography are permitted at the Aquarium. A
tip for taking photos inside the Aquarium is not to aim the
camera straight at the tank. The flash will cause a light
spot in your picture. Instead, position yourself so the camera
is at a 45-degree angle to the window.
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Aquarium
Membership
Becoming a member of the North Carolina Aquariums offers
many exciting benefits. Discounts, travel opportunities and
free admission to all three North Carolina Aquariums, the
North Carolina Zoo and over 150 other zoos and aquariums around
the country are just a few of the advantages. Your membership
contribution helps support the Aquarium’s mission. An
individual membership is $30 and a family membership $50.
For more info on membership or to join, visit the North
Carolina Aquarium Society site or click join
the aquarium.
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Helpful
Hints
- For a less crowded experience, fall and winter months
are excellent times to visit the Aquarium.
- Rainy summer days can be very crowded.
- School group visitation is heaviest in the mornings from
March through May.
- School groups that do not book visits ahead of time may
be asked to wait outside until crowds decrease.
- Parking lots fill quickly during summer months.
- When taking photos inside the Aquarium, it’s best
not to aim the camera straight at the tank. Flash will cause
a light spot in your picture. Instead, position yourself
so the camera is at a 45-degree angle to the window.
- Food and pets are not allowed in the Aquarium.
- For visitor safety, shoes are required in the building,
and most Aquarium field trips require close-toed shoes.
- When registering for programs, activities, or field trips,
or when booking a group, be sure to read full details on
your confirmation letter so you will be prepared for an
enjoyable experience.
- Check our calendar of events prior to your visit to see
what programs are offered.
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Local
Weather
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Beacon House Inn 
