North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Celebrates 50 Years

The state's first aquarium facility marks a half-century of connecting the public to marine environments through education, research, and conservation.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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As North Carolina's aquarium system celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the milestone offers a chance to look back at the history of the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, which opened in September 1976 as one of the state's first three coastal aquarium facilities. Over the decades, the aquarium has evolved from a Marine Resources Center to a hub of education, research, and conservation efforts, including the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center and long-term studies on sand tiger sharks.

Why it matters

The Roanoke Island aquarium has become a beloved community institution and a key part of North Carolina's broader aquarium system, which connects the public to the state's diverse marine environments. As the aquarium marks this milestone, it reflects on its role in education, conservation, and public engagement over the past 50 years.

The details

Originally known as a Marine Resources Center, the Roanoke Island aquarium was rebranded as part of the North Carolina Aquariums system in the 1980s, expanding its mission to emphasize permanent public exhibits, broader public engagement, and conservation education. Today, the aquarium remains a popular attraction, typically drawing between 325,000 and 350,000 visitors annually. It has maintained nearly 30 years of accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a designation that requires rigorous review of animal care, conservation, and education practices.

  • The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island opened in September 1976.
  • The aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

The players

Larry Warner

Director of the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Elizabeth Baird

President and CEO of the North Carolina Aquarium Society, which engages in fundraising, advocacy, and program support for the aquariums.

Michael P. Remige

Director of Jennette's Pier, which became the fourth facility in the North Carolina Aquariums Division in 2011.

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What they’re saying

“Even in the '80s, we were getting more than 300,000 visitors a year. Today we're still in that range, typically between 325,000 and 350,000 annually. Those numbers reflect a balance — a place people want to visit, but also where everything is grounded in education and conservation.”

— Larry Warner, Director of the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island (Outer Banks Voice)

“As the state's nonprofit partner, we can help facilitate opportunities for legislative bodies to understand the jewels that they have. The aquariums offer experiences most people cannot otherwise access. You can watch a sea turtle eat, touch a ray, see sand tigers on a wreck — a window into a world people don't get to see, and afterward they want to make a difference.”

— Elizabeth Baird, President and CEO of the North Carolina Aquarium Society (Outer Banks Voice)

“There's an element of the tourist population who never leave the beach. The proximity of the pier attracts them and then they get interested in the Roanoke Aquarium.”

— Michael P. Remige, Director of Jennette's Pier (Outer Banks Voice)

What’s next

The aquarium is expected to finalize its 50th anniversary celebration plans in March, which may include an oyster roast, children's activities, and an event recognizing local residents who have contributed to the aquarium's success. The anniversary also coincides with a strategic planning process that includes staff input across departments.

The takeaway

As North Carolina's aquarium system celebrates its 50th year, the Roanoke Island facility's evolution from a Marine Resources Center to a hub of education, research, and conservation reflects the broader shift in the mission and goals of aquariums nationwide, highlighting their role in connecting the public to the natural world and inspiring environmental stewardship.