The Aquarium offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year.

Daily programs include marine life films, live animal programs, audience participation games, demonstrations and more. Live animal programs may feature alligators, turtles, or snakes. Daily exhibit feedings are at 11:00am and 3:00pm. Free daily programs are included in general admission and do not require advance registration. Want to add something more to your day at the aquarium? Scroll down to find out more about Special Activities we offer.

Visit our interactive calendar of events
for daily program schedules, detailed descriptions and photos.

To register and reserve your spot in special activity programs over the phone or by mail, contact the registrar or call 910-458-7468.

Online Registration for Programs is Coming Soon.

Check out our programs especially for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Aquarium Outreach

If you like the aquarium and the programs we offer, why not let us come to
you? Click here for more information on our Outreach Program.

A variety of educational and entertaining activities offered at the aquarium for a nominal fee will add something special to your trip. Special Activities are educator-led programs to fit the needs of your group, and regularly scheduled public programs conducted outdoors. These programs are designed to inspire appreciation for aquatic resources and provide a fun experience for families, groups, and individuals. Take a look at descriptions of the programs we have to offer listed below. Check the interactive calendar to find specific dates and times for each program. For more information, please call the Aquarium during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm) at 910-458-7468 or e-mail the registrar at ncaff.registrar@ncmail.net.

Programs marked with an asterisk (*) on the interactive calendar require advance registration and fee. Please review descriptions on all fee-based programs below to find something special for your family to participate in at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Fee-based programs require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment or bad weather.  Please be on time for reserved programs, cancellation is required 24 hours before the program. Participants are charged full program fees, regardless of attendance, if they do not call and cancel. For more information, please call the Aquarium during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm) at 910-458-7468 or e-mail the registrar at ncaff.registrar@ncmail.net. For specific times and dates for each program, check out the interactive calendar of events.

Have you ever thought about working for an aquarium? Join staff on a behind-the-scenes tour, help prepare animal diets, and participate in some daily care and maintenance tasks. Includes an animal feeding. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. This opportunity is open to 10 participants. For ages 10 and up. Ages 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $20.00 per participant, includes general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Behind the Scenes Tour

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Aquarium? Come explore spaces for animal holding, husbandry, life support systems, and backstage access to exhibits. If you have ever cared for a home aquarium, you may have some idea of what it takes to operate a collection of salt and fresh water exhibits, with hundreds of animals. Accompany aquarium staff on this guided tour. Participants must wear closed toed shoes. For ages 9 and up, all children 9-14 must be accompanied by an adult. Fees: $15.00 per adult, $13.00 per youth. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Breakfast with the Fishes

Get a sneak peek at the aquarium before it opens for the day. Coffee, juice, pastries and bagels are provided for guests. After breakfast participants are invited to feed some of our aquarium critters! Come and enjoy breakfast with your favorite aquarium resident, and stay to enjoy the rest of the morning. Suitable for all ages. Fee: $15.00 per participants over 6 years old, ages 2-5 years old is $5.00. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Canoeing the Salt Marsh

A three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve by canoe. Activities may include crabbing, clamming, seining or birding. Participants should be able to swim and be capable of sustained physical exertion. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Ages 8-12 must be accompanied by two adults, ages 12-14 must be accompanied by one adult. Fee: $20.00 per participant, does not include general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Children’s Discovery Time

Come join the aquarium as creatures come alive in this story-telling and critter creating program. Children meet live animals, hear a story, and make ingenious crafts. For ages 2-6 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $5.00 per participant, does not include general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Daddy and Me

Dads and their children interact and learn together about Aquarium animals. Afterward, you can enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room, which will be reserved just for program participants. Different topics will be offered on each date. For ages 1-3 years old. Price: $13.00 per adult/child pair, includes general admission for one adult. $1.00 extra per additional child. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Dinner with the Fishes

Bring your friends and family to enjoy a pizza dinner and tour the aquarium after hours. In this program you will go on a guided tour of our exhibits and learn all about our animals. Suitable for all ages. Fee: $15.00 for ages 6 and up. $5.00 for ages 2-5 years old. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Fort Fisher Hermit School of Common Sense

Have you ever heard about the Fort Fisher Hermit? Maybe you were lucky enough to meet him. Join aquarium staff to watch the award winning documentary, entitled “The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life & Death of Robert E. Harrill.” Then take a walk in the Hermit’s footsteps out through the marsh to the bunker where he lived. Learn how the Hermit lived in the marsh surviving largely on plants and animals. Test your own skills catching and releasing food from the marsh. For ages 15 and up. Fee: $18 per participant, includes general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Mommy and Me

Moms and their children interact and learn together about Aquarium animals. Afterward, you can enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room, which will be reserved just for program participants. Different topics will be offered on each date. For ages 1-3 years old. Price: $13.00 per adult/child pair, includes general admission for one adult. $1.00 extra per additional child. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Nature Crafts

Nature craft programs include: Gyotaku, Nature Paper, Nature Silhouettes, Sand Painting, Shell Mirrors, Shell Picture Frames, Shell Wreathes, and Stamp Painting. Please visit the interactive calendar for specific descriptions about individual nature craft programs. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Rocky Outcrop Expedition

Explore the only natural rock outcrop on the North Carolina coast and discover the marvelous marine invertebrates that live in this dynamic habitat. Closed-toed shoes are required for this program. For ages 7 and up, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $10.00 per participant, does not include general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Salt Marsh and Crabbing Expedition

North Carolina has over 2,000 acres of salt marsh. Hike the marsh and discover animals and plants found in this rich environment. For ages 7 and up, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Fees: $15.00 per participant. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Salt Marsh Exploration

Hike the salt marsh trail and view first hand the activities of marsh-dwelling animals and the variety of plants found in this rich environment. Closed toed shoes are required for this program. For ages 7 and up, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Surf Fishing Workshop

This 3-hour workshop includes one hour of classroom discussion, then surf fishing on the beach nearby. All equipment and bait is provided. Program is rain or shine, with extra activities added in event of bad weather. For ages10 and up. Fees: $12 per participant, does not include general aquarium admission. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Surf’s Up Link

Experience a wide variety of high-quality surfing opportunities through Surf Camp. Please visit: www.wbsurfcamp.com to register directly for these programs.

More Special Events:

Birthday Parties

Enjoy an exciting way to celebrate your child’s special day with a birthday party at the North Carolina Aquarium at Ft. Fisher! Your child’s birthday will include a T-shirt craft with T-shirts and all art supplies included, a live animal presentation, use of the Aquarium’s classroom, and a self guided tour of the Aquarium.

You can choose the following themes for a live animal presentation:
Amphibians – Frogs, toads, salamanders
Reptiles - Turtles, Alligators, Snakes
Invertebrates – Sea urchins, starfish, crabs

Cost: $205.00 for up to 12 children and 12 adults, $10.00 for each additional child, $6.00 for each additional adult

Time Length: 2 hours

Please contact Renee Weeks at 910-458-8259 ext 206 if you are interested in scheduling a birthday party for your child. Birthday parties are popular so please plan ahead. Our parties are recommended for ages 4- 10.