The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island in Manteo runs hands-on summer day camps for children ages 6 to 13. Offerings range from week-long Junior Aquarist and Aquarist camps with behind-the-scenes marine-care experiences (water-quality testing, life-support systems, animal care) to nature-play and single-day themed day camps that blend outdoor exploration with aquarium exhibits and animal ambassadors. Operated by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★RobThis is my 2nd time being here. First for my fiancé. Kids enjoy it a lot. The otters are very active and entertaining, there is a giant tank where they have good size sharks and fish. Sometimes you'll catch the divers in there. See if you can't beat them at rock paper scissors 😏. The outdoor part of it is a little lackluster. The view is pretty. There isn't really much to see aside from the view off the dock. The sea turtle rescue is amazing. What they do, the stories, the way the take care of them. It is all super sweet. Definitely recommend!
★★★★★Uly MarchAmazing place. Perfect for rainy days. Make sure you check every corner because we almost miss half of the museum. We spend 2 hours there. Kids 8 and 2 were impressed. Staff is super friendly. And buy tickets ahead if you don't want to wait few hours.
★★★★★KaceyWe had a blast here! Super kid friendly and the staff were super kind and helpful! All of the staff were very knowledgeable about the area, aquarium and native plants. The nature walk is definitely worth going on before the aquarium.
★★★★★Samantha PriceLoved visiting here. Had a great time seeing the sea life. They have a turtle rescue and a nature walk. We enjoyed our day here. I will say reserve your tickets on the website because the line fills up fast.
★★★★Katrina HayesReally enjoyed visiting the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island! It was amazing to see the albino alligator, and I absolutely loved the jellyfish exhibit—just being in that space is incredibly calming and therapeutic. There’s also a great hands-on area where kids can touch stingrays, which is a fun and memorable experience. One highlight was the James Melvin Gallery, which shares powerful history about the all-Black lifesaving station on Pea Island. There’s even a hurricane simulator that looked fun, though it was cash-only when I visited. Most of the staff were friendly and welcoming, though I did notice a couple of staff members, one in the stingray area who was sketchy. Overall, it’s a well-done aquarium with unique exhibits, meaningful history, and plenty to enjoy for all ages—I’d definitely recommend stopping by.