Underwater shenanigans with pumpkins, eerie frozen treats and sunken secrets await at Spooky Seas Saturday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Nov. 1 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The ghoulish fun is included with an Aquarium admission during regular hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online tickets are required to visit the Aquarium.
Halloween-inspired enrichment for the animals from the otters to the alligators to Maverick, the bald eagle, will be a real treat for visitors. By engaging the community in a spirited way, the Aquarium team fulfills its mission to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. Visitors will see the passion that the animal care team has for conservation of the many species at the Aquarium, with all staff and volunteers sharing their story.
SCARY SPECIES STATISTICS
Here are some scary statistics that keep the Aquarium team focused on saving species:
- Asian small-clawed otters are a vulnerable species in their native habitat of southeast Asia.
- Green sea turtles, like Shelldon, are endangered or threatened in all or a large portion of their range.
- The eastern box turtle is a vulnerable species.
- The corn snake is a species of special concern.
- The sand tiger shark is critically endangered in some areas and vulnerable globally.
GHOULS & GOBLINS SHOULD KEEP IT GREEN
Here are ways to avoid spooking the Aquarium team:
- Do not bring any single-use plastic cups, bottles, bags and straws.
- Bring a reusable water bottle and take advantage of our convenient refill stations in the Aquarium.
- Carpool to the Aquarium when you have a group visiting together, if possible.
- Reserve your ticket in advance and use your cell phone to show us your reservation confirmation. No need to print anything!
- Don't smoke, use tobacco or use an E-cigarette in the Aquarium or outdoor gardens. NCAFF is a smoke-free, tobacco-free environment. E-cigarettes are also not permitted.
- Use the smoking receptacles in the designated smoking areas outside of the garden exit gate.
- Pat yourself on the back for being a green goblin!
SUSTAINABILITY SUPERHEROES EVERYDAY
The Aquarium is committed to sustainability:
- The North Carolina Aquarium leads by example offering water refill stations, compostable cups, plates and utensils at the food deck and only aluminum bottles in our vending machines. We also only percolate and pour Bird Friendly® coffee at the Aquarium for staff and events.
- Take a look at the sustainability achievements and projects at the Aquarium at Green & Getting Greener.
- Find out more about Bird Friendly® coffee at Raise a Cup for Otters.
About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members.