The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - Atlantic Beach, North Carolina - one of North Carolina's three major aquariums

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is one of three major North Carolina Aquariums. Located on Roosevelt Boulevard, five miles west of Atlantic Beach, the aquarium is open daily from 9AM to 5PM and is open year round, closing only on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wheelchair accessible Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium offers a number of entertaining, educational exhibits that focus on interaction with aquarium attendees.

The main event at the aquarium is a 306,000 gallon tank dubbed the "Living Shipwreck'' which is home to a sunken German U-352 submarine. While viewing the Living Shipwreck, divers will interact and talk with patrons using a series of microphones while they feed the animals and swim amongst them in a program called "Live Dive''. The aquarium also offers a number of exhibit galleries: Tidal Waters, Ocean, Piedmont, Mountains, and Coastal Plains.

The Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium is host to a variety of events and tanks that can be viewed throughout the year, such as a tidal touch pool and Skate and Ray Encounters, which allow patrons to get a more hands-on experience with the animals they're seeing. For preschoolers, the aquarium has a "Story Time'', as well as the very interesting "Sleep with the Fishes'' program, which allows kids to spend the night at the aquarium in a slumber party with a big ol' shark.

The aquarium is also a big supporter of scientific research geared towards conservation and the protection of ocean life. Working with the North Carolina State University Veterinary School, the aquarium has been able to help keep its animals happy and healthy. The aquarium also has a focus on reducing its impact on the environment by lowering energy consumption and maintaining all of its animals and breeding on-site. A Sea Turtle Odyssey Exhibit is also in practice, rehabilitating sea turtles before sending them back to sea.

The aquarium also offers surfing and snorkeling classes, courses in fishing, as well as canoeing and kayaking. An aquarium camp is offered, and there is even the option to rent the aquarium for a special even, such as a wedding or business gathering. During normal hours, an event can be held for up to 130 people, and an evening event can be held for up to 1,500 people.

Adults can get into the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium for $8, while seniors get in for a discounted $7, and children six to seventeen get in for $6. Children five and under get to experience the magic of the aquarium for free, and patrons willing to pay a little more can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Pine Knolls Aquarium. Of course, group discounts are also offered. Groups consisting of ten or more people get a 15% discount when preregistered and preregistered groups of 50 or more get a 25% discount. Also, North Carolina school groups are admitted for free with an advance registration. Also, all visitors can gain free admittance on Veterans Day, the third Monday of January, November 11th, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.