To facilitate a unique experience for each guest, the NC Aquariums require advance tickets and reservations. Members still receive free admission the NC Aquariums, but must make an advanced reservation on the Aquarium webpage and select the member option. AZA reciprocal admission will be 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
COVID-19 UPDATE:
The NC Aquariums are now open! Memberships will be extended to recover the time that active benefits were unavailable due to COVID-19 closures. Members still receive free admission to the NC Aquariums but must secure their tickets online in advance (sell-outs do happen). AZA reciprocal admission will be available for advance tickets. NC Zoo members must follow advance ticketing guidance.
Advance tickets are available here.
Holiday Shipping Schedule
Holiday orders must be placed by Sunday, December 5th for holiday delivery. Orders placed after December 5th may not arrive before December 25th.
Orders placed after December 16th may ship in the new year.
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 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.
- The North Carolina Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have partnered to provide discounted admission to the Aquarium Society members at over 150 zoos and aquariums around the country. For NC Aquarium members, this means free admission at the NC Zoo! 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 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!
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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! Please note memberships are considered contributions and therefore non-refundable and non-transferable. Members must reserve tickets in advance on ncaquariums.com. Member cards and Photo ID are required for admission. For more information, visit ncaquariumsoceity.com or 1-800-832-FISH.
Membership Tax Deductions
The North Carolina 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