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All 1 Pine Knoll Shores Attractions »

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
252-247-4003
4.5 of 5 stars 89 Reviews
Type: Aquariums
Owner description: Dive into adventure. Take a tour of North Carolina’s aquatic life “from the mountains to the sea.” Talk with divers as they swim with sharks in the... more » Owner description: Dive into adventure. Take a tour of North Carolina’s aquatic life “from the mountains to the sea.” Talk with divers as they swim with sharks in the Living Shipwreck, featuring a WW II German U-boat replica. Laugh at the antics of playful river otters, touch a stingray or enjoy programs free with admission. Field trips and other activities are available for additional fees. On-site snack bar and gift shop. « less
Useful Information: Activities for young children, Activities for older children
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89 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    53
    31
    5
    0
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Date Rating
Morehead City, NC
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW

Had an awesome day at the aquarium. Enjoyed walking through each region of NC. A little disappointed in the penguin exhibit...it was small and the penguins acted like they were drugged. Our most favorite part were the jellyfish & otters. Highly recommended for the whole family

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Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

Our son really had a blast here! And we liked it too:)

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Raleigh, NC
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012

We love going to the aquarium - there are great exhibits geared toward the NC regions and many side classes and activities, including a nature trail walk and a dock where you can see the inland waterway life of NC. The gift shop is great also and you get a discount if you become an aquarium member. We highly recommend... More

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Charlotte, North Carolina
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

The penguins arrived last weekend just in time for our visit. The aquarium was very nice. Lots of hands on opportunities. The staff was friendly and engaging. The nature trail outside is a fun adventure, too. Bring bug spray if you visit in the summer and plan to do the nature trail. We stayed a week in Atlantic Beach, and... More

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Richmond VA
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012

Through Sept. 2012 the aquarium has an exhibit with four black-footed penguins. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, willing to share their observations of the penguins. The aquarium has several great hands-on exhibits. We got to pet several types of skates, tickle the tops of horseshoe crabs, lift up live conchs and whelks, and play with hermit crabs. The... More

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Jacksonville, North Carolina
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012

My kids love visiting the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - we have a family membership and visit several times each year. Great mix of fish and reptiles native to various regions across North Carolina. Perfect for an afternoon out. Plenty of free parking and you are not overly bombarded with souvenir shops, though there is one gift shop near... More

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Alabama
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

We took my grandkids, ages 3 and 1 1/2, and it was perfect. Held their interest. Loved the otter display and the petting the sting ray display. The huge tank with the sharks was a big hit too. Also the pictures that they take of you at the beginning are very good and quite cheap! 4/$20! My kids and grandkids... More

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Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2012

Take our Grandchildren often. They love it! So do we. So relaxing to just sit and watch the fish swim in the large tank. Great Sea Turtle exhibit They have an Albino Sea Turtle. Luv the Turtles. AND The Pengquins are coming this summer 2012!

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coastal area of NC
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
35 helpful votes 35 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2012

This place is worth the time it takes to get to it from Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, Morehead City or Beaufort. It has many animals one would expect (sharks, fish of all varieties, jellyfish) but my favorite thing there is the otter exhibit! It is nice and cool inside but do take the stroll outside down the long docks to... More

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Annapolis, Maryland
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

Loved watching the otters play in front of the large glass window, the jelly fish, petting the rays, seeing the biggest hermit crab I've seen - like baseball sized. Nice collection of NC shells, cool sharks, and turtles including an almost albino sea turtle. Like another reviwer says, check in on the otters and then go back if they were... More

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