North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island is an aquarium in Manteo, Dare County, in North Carolina's Coast. Admission: from $15. Hours: Aquarium open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; gates close 4:30 p.m. (last reservation 4:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.); Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation (STAR) Center open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m.official hours below
- AdmissionFrom $15
- WhereManteoDare County, Coast
- DogsNot allowed
About North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
An Outer Banks aquarium on Roanoke Island with an alligator, a stingray touch experience, river otters and a sea turtle rehabilitation center.
- Alligator and playful river otters
- Stingray touch experience
- STAR sea turtle rehab center (9:30-4:30)
- Free daily programs included with admission
- Most visitors take about 90 minutes
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: from $15. Parking: Plenty of parking.
9 a.m.–5 p.m.Bring The Dog?
Pets are not permitted inside; if a pet travels with your group an adult must stay with it in the parking lot. ADA service animals welcome (tell Visitor Services);…
Full rule belowMake It a Day
Wright Brothers National Memorial is about 1 mile away (straight line).
2 places within 30 miles
North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenEvery day9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- OpenEvery day9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- gates close 4:30 p.m. (last reservation 4:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.).
- Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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.
- Aquarium open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; gates close 4:30 p.m. (last reservation 4:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.).
- Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation (STAR) Center open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.
Admission and Parking
- Adults (13-61): $15.00; Seniors (62+): $14.00; Military: $14.00; Children (3-12): $13.00.
- Ages 2 and younger and NC Aquarium Society members: free.
- Taxes not included. Matching ID required for discounted tickets.
- Reserved, timed tickets are required (tickets page) although the home page says 'recommended'; time slots can sell out.
Parking: Plenty of parking; if the main lot is full, marked overflow parking (dirt lot) is a short distance down the road, used mostly in peak summer. All guests enter through the gatehouse and main lot. Parking fee not mentioned.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 374 Airport Road
- Phone: 252-475-2300
- Map point: 35.91922,-75.70462, from the US Census geocoder on the official address. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island
Dogs and Accessibility
- Dogs: Pets are not permitted inside; if a pet travels with your group an adult must stay with it in the parking lot. ADA service animals welcome (tell Visitor Services); emotional support animals not permitted.
- Accessibility: All entrances, exits, exhibits and restrooms are wheelchair accessible; accessible paths, ramps and a number of wheelchairs; strollers welcome but extra-wide ones may not fit tight spots. KultureCity sensory inclusive (sensory bags at Guest Service Desk) plus a Quiet Room in the lobby (ask for the key).
Near North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
- 1Wright Brothers National MemorialNational Memorial and Visitor Centerabout 1 mi
- 2Jockey's Ridge State ParkState Parkabout 5 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 Manteo
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Manteo · 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 Roanoke Island cost?
From $15. Adults (13-61): $15.00; Seniors (62+): $14.00; Military: $14.00; Children (3-12): $13.00.; Ages 2 and younger and NC Aquarium Society members: free.; Taxes not included. Matching ID required for discounted tickets.
What are the hours at North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island?
Aquarium open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; gates close 4:30 p.m. (last reservation 4:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.).; Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation (STAR) Center open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
Can I bring a dog to North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island?
Pets are not permitted inside; if a pet travels with your group an adult must stay with it in the parking lot. ADA service animals welcome (tell Visitor Services); emotional support animals not permitted.
What We Could Not Verify
- Facility size not stated.
- Fee table on the dedicated tickets page did not render in page text; prices above come from the Things to Know page of the same site.
- Whether parking is free was not stated.
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
- North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island: hours (read 2026-10-27)
- North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island: 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 Roanoke Island”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/nc-aquarium-roanoke-island/ (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.