North Carolina, Raleigh – Aquariums are spaces to get up close and personal with many species that live in the oceans without running any risk. They are educational centers and some have interactive activities to promote the care and sustainability of these species.
In this article you will find aquariums in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
You may be interested:
Aquariums in North Carolina
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
It is the only aquarium in North Carolina that has a 180-degree ocean tunnel where you can discover thousands of species, some of them native to North Carolina.
You can see sharks, rays, turtles, seahorses and much more. You'll also be able to enjoy a freshwater exhibit located on a small part of the Catawba River where you'll see species that regularly live in local streams, rivers, and lakes.
And if your intention is to come away with a lesson, you can visit Conservation Cove, where they will teach you how to protect the ocean and all its magnificent creatures.
For an extra fee, you can also take a tour Behind the scenes where you will discover how they take care of the more than 5,000 species that live in this aquarium.
It is a guided tour where you will see how they feed and care for all the animals in the place.
This aquarium is located at 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC, 28027.
North Carolina Aquarium
This aquarium has four locations throughout the state, including a fishing pier.
The mission of these aquariums is, in addition to educating, improving the sustainability and life of marine animals.
The four places are:
- ROANOKE ISLAND: 374 Airport Road, Manteo, NC, 27954
- PINE KNOLL SHORES: 1 Roosevelt Boulevard, Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 28512
- FORT FISHER: 900 Loggerhead Road / Kure Beach, NC, 28449
- JENNETTE'S PIER: 7223 South Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC, 27959
Are you a shark lover?
If you are a shark lover, you should definitely visit Roanoke Island as they have the largest group of sharks in the state, with whom you can go swimming (if you have open water certification).
Now that you want to catch crabs and clams or look for sea turtles on the beach, you can head to Pine Knowl Shores.
If you have a fascination for jellyfish, Fort Fisher is the aquarium you should visit.
Likewise, there are workshops and programs such as surf fishing on the beach.
Now if you want to walk, Jennette's Pier is your destination where you can do it along the longest public pier in North Carolina.
South Carolina
South Carolina Aquarium
Located in Charleston, this aquarium is the South Carolina home to more than 6,000 plants and animals; many of them are native to the state and that you will not be able to see anywhere else in the world.
The South Carolina Aquarium was home to Alabaster, one of only 50 albino alligators in the world. Albinism is the lack of melanin, which is why Alabaster lacked color; his condition made him see red eyes and almost transparent scales. He unfortunately passed away in 2019 due to an infection.
At the entrance, a 15,000-gallon tank awaits you, home to colorful fish that come from the coral reefs off the coast of South Carolina.
It also has a sea turtle rescue program that cares for and rehabilitates injured and sick turtles that reach the coast so that after they are healed, they are returned to their habitat. Of course there are playful otters that inhabit the Mountain Forest.
Another aquarium is located in Myrtle Beach. It's Ripley's Aquarium.
Aquarium in the Smokies
If you want to get out of the routine and take a road trip, the aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which is open 365 days a year, is your destination.
Traveling along moving glide trails, visitors enter the realm of the ocean and come face to face with thousands of fascinating fish and menacing sea creatures, from barracudas, to rays, jellyfish, octopuses, moray eels and giant sharks.
The aquarium is literally bursting with life: more than 10.000 exotic sea creatures in 350 individual species.
Additionally, there are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire city of Gatlinburg.
If you made it this far, perhaps you plan to visit one of the aquariums. We leave you their websites so you can organize your tour in a safe and fun way. Also some tips to take care of your health in summer.
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
