374 Airport Road
Manteo, NC 27954 (Map)
866-332-3475

The Aquarium's variety of exhibits promise to educate and entertain visitors. Journey through coastal freshwaters, see largemouth and striped bass, river otters and the American alligators. Explore saltwater habitats from grass flats to Gulf Stream waters. Gently stroke a stingray or a hermit crab at the touch tanks.

Watch hundreds of fish flash by the 35-foot long viewing window of the 285,000-gallon 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' tank. Sharks and dozens of other species cruise by only inches away. History buffs will marvel at the one-third-scale replica of the USS Monitor. Step into ''Storms'', and take an inside, personal look at Outer Banks hurricanes and nor'easters.

Get face to face with an electric eel, giant tarantula, black widow spider, venomous snakes and lionfish in the newest exhibit, ''Bite, Shock, Sting''. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission fees: $8 adults, $7 senior citizens and $6 children ages 6-17. Children ages 5 and under are free.

Featuring the state's largest saltwater tank, this public aquarium is one of three operated by the state. Marine exhibits, touch tanks, films, field trips and daily programs. New to the aquarium is the Bite, Shock, Sting! These venomous animals include rattlesnakes, black widow spiders and lionfish.