North Carolina Aquarium ~ Manteo, NC
A popular activity for Hatteras Island ocean lovers is a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo, on Roanoke Island. Established in 1976, the aquarium has welcomed thousands of Outer Banks visitors with a myriad of unique displays that bring the sea creatures of the coastal waters to every beach vacationer. At the aquarium, you can watch sea otters play, get face to face with alligators, watch sea turtles and sharks swim around a gigantic floor to ceiling saltwater tank, or touch a skate as it swirls around one of the aquarium’s touch tanks. With so much to explore, a trip to the aquarium is an adventurous way to while away an afternoon away from the beach.
Aquarium Schedule and Events
The aquarium is open daily, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., all year round, and features special rates for seniors and children under the age of 17. In addition to the everyday exhibits from the Graveyard of the Atlantic to wetland and coastal waters explorations, the Aquarium offers a wide variety of free programs and activities year-round. 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, and the fish in selected tanks are fed daily. A complete calendar of events can be found on the NC Aquarium’s website.
The North Carolina Aquarium Society also operates an on-premise aquarium gift shop, which offers a wide array of educational and aquatic-related items, such as posters, games, books, field guides, CDs, tapes, T-shirts, decor items, jewelry and other unique and interesting mementos. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and gift shop proceeds are used to support aquarium programs and services.
Helpful Hints for Visiting the Aquarium
- For a less crowded experience, fall and winter months, or sunny days throughout the year, are excellent times to visit the Aquarium.
- 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.
- Check their calendar of events prior to your visit to see what programs are offered. Chances are, with so many programs throughout the day, there will be a special activity that coincides with your visit.
Whether you admire the exhibits all day, or simply visit the Aquarium during a tour of Roanoke Island attractions, you’ll sure to walk away with an ocean of adventures and memories that you can take with you, well after your vacation.
