North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a stunning coastal aquarium located in Kure Beach, North Carolina, offering visitors a deep dive into the aquatic ecosystems of the Cape Fear region and beyond. The aquarium's centerpiece is Cape Fear Shoals, a dramatic 235,000-gallon saltwater tank hosting a replica of an offshore reef teeming with large sharks, stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Other highlights include Luna, a rare albino alligator, a rescued bald eagle, Asian otters, a loggerhead sea turtle, and a bamboo shark touch pool. Additional galleries showcase freshwater streams and swamps, open ocean species like jellyfish and octopus, and vibrant Indo-Pacific reef fish. Daily dive shows, live animal encounters, feeding programs, and interactive touch experiences make the aquarium an exceptional educational and family destination along the North Carolina coast.