NC Aquarium Members receive free admission, but reservations are required at each Aquarium. Select the NC Aquarium Member option when you book online.
AZA reciprocal admission is available for advance tickets. NC Zoo members must follow the advance ticketing guidelines.
When you arrive, please have your reservation confirmation, your membership card, and a photo ID to check in.
NC Aquarium Members receive free admission, but reservations are required at each Aquarium. Select the NC Aquarium member option when you book online.
AZA reciprocal admission is available for advance tickets. NC Zoo members must follow the advance ticketing guidelines.
When you arrive, please have your reservation confirmation, your membership card, and a photo ID to check in.
The N.C. Aquariums remain closed to the public. However, all aspects of our website are operating as usual. The earliest we expect to reopen is July, if North Carolina moves into Phase 3. Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is open, and initial hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
TEMPORARY MAINTENANCE
Please check back shortly, we apologize for the inconvenience.
THANK YOU!
Memberships
Individual ~ Couple ~ Family ~ CuratorYou can help support exciting new exhibits, fun educational experiences and valuable conservation programs by joining the North Carolina Aquariums. Members receive a host of valuable benefits like free admission, but also take pride in supporting the NC Aquariums and their mission.
Please note that memberships are considered contributions and therefore cannot be transferred or refunded. Thank you for your support!
Memberships
Individual ~ Couple ~ Family ~ CuratorYou can help support exciting new exhibits, fun educational experiences and valuable conservation programs by joining the North Carolina Aquariums. Members receive a host of valuable benefits like free admission, but also take pride in supporting the NC Aquariums and their mission.
Curator membership
$139
(NC sales tax included)- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Free Admission for One Guest Each Visit
- Premium Aquarium Gift
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$269
(NC sales tax included)- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Free Admission for One Guest Each Visit
- Premium Aquarium Gift
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Family membership
$89
- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$169
- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Couple membership
$79
- Free Admission for Two Named People
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$149
- Free Admission for Two Named People
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Individual membership
$59
- Free Admission for One Named Person
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$109
- Free Admission for One Named Person
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
“We love our Aquarium membership, and take our kids regularly. It’s a great value, and we’re glad we can support what we love!”Heather Denning, Morehead City, NC
Curator
MembershipCurator membership
$139
(NC sales tax included)- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Free Admission for One Guest Each Visit
- Premium Aquarium Gift
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$269
(NC sales tax included)- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Free Admission for One Guest Each Visit
- Premium Aquarium Gift
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Family membership
$89
- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$169
- Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Couple membership
$79
- Free Admission for Two Named People
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$149
- Free Admission for Two Named People
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Individual membership
$59
- Free Admission for One Named Person
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
Special Offer ! 2 year membership
$109
- Free Admission for One Named Person
- Jennette’s Pier Walk-On Pass
- Gift Shop and Program Discounts
- Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
or Renew
- Members receive unlimited free admission at all three NC Aquariums and the NC Zoo and unlimited free walk-on access at Jennette’s Pier. Family memberships receive free admission for two adults named on the card and their children or grandchildren under the age of 18. Curator members receive the same benefits as a Family membership, plus free admission for one guest per visit.
- NC Aquarium members enjoy discounted admission at over 150 zoos and aquariums around the country. Unless otherwise stated, discounted admission is limited to two adults and two children under the age of 18 ( for Family and Curator memberships). Reciprocity agreements are subject to change, so we advise you to contact reciprocating facilities prior to your visit.
For more information regarding reciprocity contact us at membership@ncaquariums.com
Search for your discount at an AZA reciprocal Aquarium or Zoo near you!
To see a completed listing of all reciprocal facilities click here
- Members receive a 10% discount on Gift Shop purchases at the three Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier. (Sale Items excluded). Don’t forget to stop by the Gift Shops on your next visit to the NC Aquariums.
- Members also receive a special discounts on camps, tours, and more!
- If you love the Aquariums and want to help us grow, consider upgrading your Family membership to the Curator level. Curator members receive the same benefits as Family members, plus free admission for one guest per visit. Curators also receive a special premium gift package when they join, including unique Curator window decals. But best of all, know that your higher level of support helps bring exciting new exhibits and programs to the Aquariums you love!
- Members receive invitations to exclusive member-only events and trips.
- Foto FX is the Aquariums’ official photography provider. Members receive a free print with the purchase of any photo package.
- The Aquariums offer a 20% discounted rate for family memberships purchased in quantity. Realtors, business owners, and others can take advantage of this offer — purchase 25 or more family memberships at $71.20 each. For more information on this program, please call our membership office toll free at 800-832-FISH (3474).
- Instead of a physical card, NC Aquarium members enjoy the convenience of a digital card, stored securely on their smartphones. Our transition to digital cards supports our mission to conserve aquatic environments by reducing single-use plastics.
To learn more about our digital membership cards, visit our Digital Card FAQs.
- When your membership is due for renewal, we’ll send you an email reminder. Just open the email, click on the link for online renewal, and complete your transaction safely and securely. Be sure to add us to your contacts list to make sure you’ll receive our emails. Prefer to renew offline? We’ll be happy to renew your membership by phone, mail, or during your visit the one of our Aquarium locations.
- Thank you for your support! The NC Aquarium Society is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 56-1512990). Please note memberships are considered contributions and therefore non-refundable and non-transferable.
Membership Tax Deductions
The NC Aquarium Society is a 501( c ) 3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 56-1512990). Your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. The value of any tangible benefits received, including printed admission tickets, are estimated on our tax deduction page.The NC Aquarium Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Tax ID# 56-1512990) and receives all gifts on behalf of the NC Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier.
The NC Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums