North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Museums, Historical Sites, and ZoosNorth Carolina, United States51-200 Employees
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is a public aquarium within the North Carolina Aquarium network, focusing on education and conservation of the state's aquatic environments and wildlife. It sits in the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area in Pine Knoll Shores, a maritime forest donated by descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1971 to support nature education and estuarine studies. The center began in 1976 as one of three Marine Resources Centers devoted to research and education, with small exhibits available to the public, and was renamed in 1986 to its current title. Its primary audience consists of visitors seeking educational experiences and opportunities to learn about local marine life, contributing to conservation awareness. As part of the North Carolina Aquarium network, Pine Knoll Shores is connected to ongoing renovation and expansion efforts across the system, including major upgrades at Fort Fisher.