North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

4.6(12,423)

Aquarium

About

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher offers a compact, well-curated experience tracing aquatic life from Cape Fear River streams to the open ocean. Its standout features include a massive 235,000-gallon tank showcasing sharks and rays, and engaging ambassador animal encounters that bring marine life closer to your group.

Ideal for small corporate gatherings seeking a unique setting, the aquarium balances interactive exhibits with quiet spaces like Discovery Bay at Independence Mall. It’s undergoing a major expansion to deepen community connections and enhance its role in conservation education, making it a forward-looking venue for business events with an environmental edge.

Best for

Unique client entertaining with immersive exhibits
Small team outings with inspiring educational tours
Focused offsite meetings in a tranquil setting

Request a Package

Tell the venue what you're planning and they'll respond with a custom proposal within 1–2 business days.

Custom Package Request

Custom request

Not sure which package fits? Tell us about your event and the venue will work with you to build the right experience from scratch.

What's typically included

Space & layout
Food & beverage
AV & technology

Venue Details

Standout features

Exhibit Design

Journey from Freshwater to Open Ocean

The aquarium’s layout guides visitors through the aquatic ecosystems starting at the Cape Fear River’s freshwater streams and culminating in the expansive 235,000-gallon Cape Fear Shoals tank, featuring sharks and rays behind two-story glass.

Signature Animals

Luna the Albino Alligator and Asian Small-Clawed Otters

Home to Luna, a local celebrity albino alligator, and a lively group of Asian small-clawed otters known for their entertaining behavior, adding unique wildlife encounters to the visit.

Ongoing Expansion

Largest Shark Habitat in North Carolina Under Construction

Currently undergoing a transformative 30-month renovation and expansion to deepen community connections and become the state’s largest aquarium, highlighted by the forthcoming largest shark habitat in North Carolina.

At a glance

Rated 4.6 on Google · 12,423 reviews