North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is an aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, Carteret County, in North Carolina's Coast. Admission: from $15. Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; Closed only on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day; Entry is timed; advance tickets and member reservations are required (site banner: tickets often sell out). Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m.official hours below
- AdmissionFrom $15
- WherePine Knoll ShoresCarteret County, Coast
- DogsNot allowed
About North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
A coastal aquarium on the Crystal Coast that follows water from the mountains to the open Atlantic, with otters, sharks, shipwreck exhibits and outdoor bald eagle habitat.
- Journey from a mountain waterfall to the open Atlantic
- River otters and sharks
- Shipwreck exhibits
- Two American bald eagles in an outdoor habitat
- Marsh Boardwalk; about two hours is typical for a visit
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: from $15. Parking: Parking is free. Designated parking for visitors with disabilities is near the entrance (eight accessible spaces in the .
9 a.m.–5 p.m.Bring The Dog?
Animals other than service animals are not allowed in the aquarium. Leashed animals are allowed on the Theodore Roosevelt Trail at the front. Carteret County ordinance…
Full rule belowMake It a Day
Fort Macon State Park is about 8 miles away (straight line).
2 places within 30 miles
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenEvery day9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Closed only on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
- advance tickets and member reservations are required (site banner: tickets often sell out).
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed only on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
- Entry is timed; advance tickets and member reservations are required (site banner: tickets often sell out).
Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.
Admission and Parking
- Adults (13-61): $15; Seniors (62+): $14; Military: $14; Children (3-12): $13.
- Ages 2 and younger and NC Aquarium Society members: free.
- Taxes not included.
- NC EBT: discounted ticket for the cardholder plus three others (no more than four tickets per EBT account); show EBT card and photo ID.
- AZA reciprocal members: 50% off for two named adults and up to two children (membership card and matching ID).
- NC homeschool families: one free visit per year, Sept 1 – June 15, Monday-Friday only, homeschool ID required.
Parking: Parking is free. Designated parking for visitors with disabilities is near the entrance (eight accessible spaces in the main lot in front of the entrance).
Directions and Contact
- Address: 1 Roosevelt Blvd
- Phone: 252-515-5100
- Map point: 34.69766,-76.82145, from the US Census geocoder on the official address. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores
Dogs and Accessibility
- Dogs: Animals other than service animals are not allowed in the aquarium. Leashed animals are allowed on the Theodore Roosevelt Trail at the front. Carteret County ordinance bars leaving dogs unattended in a vehicle or tied up. Trained service animals welcome (tell Visitor Services; check in at Admissions). Emotional support animals not allowed.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Free loaner wheelchairs and strollers at Visitor Services (limited, first-come); entrance ramp and outdoor Vertilift lift; Marsh Boardwalk and overlooks wheelchair accessible; KultureCity sensory bags; strollers wider than 36 inches may not fit some doorways; viewfinder with EnChroma lens for color blindness; family-capable first aid room.
Near North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
- 1Fort Macon State ParkState Parkabout 8 mi
- 2Hammocks Beach State ParkState Parkabout 18 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up in Pine Knoll Shores
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 (Daily 9 AM-5 PM) | Pine Knoll Shores · Coast | See event page |
From our checked events calendar, matched by venue name and town; times and tickets are on each organizer’s page.
Also see Coast events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores cost?
From $15. Adults (13-61): $15; Seniors (62+): $14; Military: $14; Children (3-12): $13.; Ages 2 and younger and NC Aquarium Society members: free.; Taxes not included.
What are the hours at North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores?
Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed only on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day..
Can I bring a dog to North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores?
Animals other than service animals are not allowed in the aquarium. Leashed animals are allowed on the Theodore Roosevelt Trail at the front. Carteret County ordinance bars leaving dogs unattended in a vehicle or tied up. Trained service animals welcome (tell Visitor Services; check in at Admissions). Emotional support animals not allowed.
What We Could Not Verify
- Facility size or acreage was not published on the pages read.
- On-site Dairy Queen is seasonal (early March to October), so likely closed now; exact current closure not stated.
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores: hours (read 2026-10-27)
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores: official site (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/nc-aquarium-pine-knoll-shores/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.