Inspiring Wonder Since 1976

On Sept. 9, 1976, North Carolina opened three Marine Resources Centers along the coast – on Roanoke Island, at Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher. Built as hubs for research and education, these facilities invited the public in for early glimpses of the extraordinary waters and aquatic life that define our state.

The three Marine Resources Centers officially became the North Carolina Aquariums on Roanoke Island, at Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher, uniting the three sites under a shared purpose to inspire appreciation and protection of our aquatic world.

The North Carolina Aquarium Society formed to raise funds to support the Aquariums through memberships, donations and gift shops – a powerful public-private partnership that would fuel expansion, innovation and conservation for decades to come.

NCA Pine Knoll Shores contracted Paul Valiquette and Genesis Studio to build what is now The Wreck of the Caribsea habitat, immersing visitors in marine history and coastal ecosystems. When the exhibit opened, it was the largest habitat at 50,000 gallons and known as The Living Shipwreck.

The Aquariums division earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), affirming the highest standards in animal care, education, and conservation. This milestone marked a lasting commitment to conservation and community that continues today.

With a growing audience and an expanding mission, the state launched plans to triple the size of the Aquariums. Shortly after, the facilities closed for major renovations, setting the stage for a new era of immersive exhibits, larger habitats and deeper storytelling that would redefine what an aquarium could be.

NCA Roanoke Island reopened in 2000 with expanded exhibits and a dramatic 285,000-gallon ocean habitat that brings visitors face-to-fin with coastal life.

NCA Fort Fisher reopened in 2002 with significantly larger habitats and exhibit capacity, inviting deeper exploration of North Carolina’s aquatic ecosystems.

In 2002, the Aquarium Society purchased the historic Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Nearly lost to Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the Society then donated the pier to the state, allowing the Aquarium division to take ownership and rebuild the pier. What could have been an ending became a powerful beginning.

In 2006, Pine Knoll Shores reopened after a transformative expansion that tripled exhibit space and introduced a sweeping mountains-to-the-sea journey. With state funds diverted to Hurricane Floyd relief, the Aquarium Society stepped forward, financing the $25 million expansion through its growing public-private partnership.

The Aquariums expanded far beyond their buildings through camps, distance learning, and outreach programs, reaching communities across North Carolina. As environmental awareness grew, so did the mission: evolving from appreciation to action – the Aquariums placed conservation, human impact and stewardship at the heart of every experience.

On May 21, 2011, the rebuilt Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head opened as the fourth North Carolina Aquariums facility. Blending fishing, education and ocean research, the pier represents an expanded vision of what an aquarium can offer: a place where recreation and science meet on the open ocean.

NCA Roanoke Island opened Soundside Pier, giving guests a place to connect directly with coastal waters through fishing, observation, and outdoor learning.

The North Carolina Aquariums division built the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center at NCA Roanoke Island, giving injured and ill sea turtles a dedicated place for healing. What began as hands-on rescue became one of the Aquariums’ most visible and beloved conservation achievements, turning compassion into action and recovery into possibility.

NCA Roanoke Island completed another major renovation, unveiling The Waters of the Outer Banks exhibit. Through immersive habitats and storytelling, visitors now move through the dynamic ecosystems that shape North Carolina’s coast, from marsh to ocean.

The Eagle Landing habitat opened at NCA Pine Knoll Shores, providing Uwohali and Shagoie Watha, two non-releasable bald eagles, a permanent home and lifelong care. The 3,000-square foot outdoor habitat shares the inspiring conservation story of America’s national bird.

NCA Fort Fisher debuted the Otters on the Edge habitat. The 3,000-square-foot exhibit featuring Asian small-clawed otters and their conservation story underwent months of construction following delays caused by Hurricane Florence.

NCA Fort Fisher welcomed more than 500,000 visitors, marking a record-breaking year. Each visit reflected growing trust in the Aquariums as places of learning, inspiration, and connection to the waters we protect.

Across all Aquariums, renovations are announced, including a transformative expansion at NCA Fort Fisher that will create the largest shark habitat in the state. The Aquarium Society’s Beneath the Surface capital campaign made this new chapter possible, demonstrating once again the power of partnership.

At NCA Pine Knoll Shores, the new Future Waters Gallery opens, spotlighting conservation innovation, coral reef habitats, and aquaculture education through hands-on, interactive experiences.

The Aquariums celebrate 50 years of discovery, education, and conservation. From Marine Resources Centers to beloved statewide treasures, the impact of the Aquariums is written in every moment of awe, every rescued animal, and every visitor who leaves more connected to North Carolina’s aquatic life.

The story continues. The NC Aquariums will keep expanding access, strengthening conservation, and creating new experiences that spark curiosity and care, inspiring the next generation of aquatic conservationists and enthusiasts who will carry this legacy forward.