MEMBERSHIPS

INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE, FAMILY & CURATOR

You 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 Aquariums and their mission.

Curator membership

$125

  • 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 Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Special Offer ! 2 year membership

$240

  • 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 Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Family membership

$75

  • Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Special Offer ! 2 year membership

$145

  • Free Admission for Two Named Adults & their Children/Grandchildren Under Age 18
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Couple membership

$65

  • Free Admission for Two Named People
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Special Offer ! 2 year membership

$125

  • Free Admission for Two Named People
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Individual membership

$50

  • Free Admission for One Named Person
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
or Renew

Special Offer ! 2 year membership

$95

  • Free Admission for One Named Person
  • Jennette’s Pier Pass
  • Gift Shop and Program Discounts
  • Reciprocity with 150+ Other Zoos & Aquariums
  • Treat your guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates
Join Now!
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

Own Your Own Business?
Learn more about our Business Member programs.

Benefits of Membership

See below for the many benefits of joining the North Carolina Aquarium Society.

Free Admission to the NC Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier
  • Members receive unlimited free admission for one or two years at all three North Carolina Aquariums. 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 Family benefits, plus free admission for one guest per visit. Members also receive free walk-on admission at Jennette’s Pier.
AZA Reciprocity
  • The North Carolina Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have partnered to provide free or discounted admission to Aquarium Society members at over 175 zoos and aquariums around the country. Many allow free admission, while others provide a 50% discount off regular admission rates. For NC Aquarium members, this means free admission at the NC Zoo! Unless otherwise stated, free 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 facilities prior to your visits.

    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 complete 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 North Carolina Aquariums.
  • Members also receive a 10% discount on Aquarium educational programs, camps, classes, and field trips offered throughout the year. Members also get early notification of many Aquarium activities through SEAmail, our monthly e-newsletter. Be sure to have your member card ready when you sign up!
  • All active Aquarium members can treat their guests to a 10% discount off regular admission rates. This benefit is limited to six guests per visit. Guests must arrive with members at the Admissions window, and the discounted admission may be paid by the member or by their guests. This guest discount is not available through online ticketing.
  • 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!
  • Here’s another benefit of membership — Aquarium members can present their membership card to walk for free on Jennette’s Pier at Nags Head. Aquarium members also receive discounts on food and merchandise purchases at the pier (not discounts on education programs or fishing).
  • Foto FX is the Aquariums’ official photography provider. Members receive a free print with the purchase of any photo package.
  • Get your costumes ready, and don’t miss the spook-tacular TOTUS events at the Aquariums, coming up in October! Members receive a reduced admission rate for these popular events, where the Aquariums are transformed into underwater haunted houses. Check our programs and events page or contact your favorite Aquarium for more details.

Additional Membership Information

Quantity Discounts
  • The Aquariums offer a 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 $60 each. For more information on this program, please call our membership office toll free at 800-832-FISH (3474).
Replacement Cards
  • Each Couple, Family and Curator Membership includes two membership cards. If you would like additional cards or lose your card and need a replacement, they can be purchased for $5 each.
Renewals
  • 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.

Tax Deductions

Your membership dues are tax deductible as allowed by law. For more information, contact your tax advisor. The following has been determined to be the Fair Market Value (FMV) for benefits received in the various membership categories. Sales tax is added to the total membership cost.

View Tax Chart

Charity Navigator ranks the NC Aquarium Society among the nation’s top zoo and aquarium non-profits.

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.