Open Daily 9am to 5pm

TICKETS ARE VALID FOR ENTRY BEGINNING AT 9AM.

It is where you can see the worlds largest collection of Chesapeake Bay fishes... come face to face with sea turtles...encounter sharks with nothing to fear...touch stingrays...look for wild life in the salt marsh...Explore it all at the Virginia Aquarium.

Embark on a global odyssey to discover the largest and leastexplored habitat on earth. New ocean science and technology has allowed us togo further into the unknown than we ever thought possible.

Join us on an unforgettable 90-minute excursion offering unparalleled close-up observations of bottlenose dolphins! Staff & volunteers trained by Aquarium experts share a program based on our three decades of experience and provide discussions on incredible dolphin behaviors and what is being done to conserve the species. We adhere to all responsible wildlife viewing guidelines.

Guests should check-in 30 minutes prior to the boat departure time at the dock adjacent to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion parking lot at 717 General Booth Blvd. Day-of tickets are available onsite if space allows. Trips are subject to boating conditions, but will not be canceled due to precipitation. To confirm trip status, please call the Virginia Aquarium at (757) 385-FISH.

Tips and What to Wear: Please dress appropriately for the elements. Non-skid shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Allow ample time for parking. Children under 3 must be included in your reservation.

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Sea turtles are some of Earth’s most ancient and majesticcreatures. These remarkable reptiles travel open ocean for as many as 50 yearsand return to the very beach where they were born to lay eggs that are thefoundation of the next generation. The crew followed the turtles to capture thewonder of their habitat – from enormous breaching whales to playful sea lions,tiny sea horses and vibrant clown fish.  Sea turtles remind us just howinterconnected we all are in this amazing world.

Backyard Wilderness will surprise and entertain viewers withthe unexpected wonders of nature that are right under our noses - in  ourown backyards. Spanning a seasonal year around a suburban home, the filmdisplays a stunning array of unique wildlife images and behavior – all capturedby cameras mounted inside dens and nests, and moving along the forest floor andpond bottom, to reveal its inhabitants in rare and breathtaking intimacy.

Accompany an educator through the inner workings of the Virginia Aquarium and peer into selected aquariums. Find out what it takes to keep the animals healthy and their habitat clean. Learn about the careers that make an aquarium work, from animal care to engineering. Children must be at least 8 years old and 48 inches tall. Appropriate footwear required. Guests must be able to climb stairs.

A unique view from the top of the sea turtle aquarium where you observe a feeding and interaction with five large sea turtles. Learn about the history and behavior of sea turtles and conservation efforts world wide and discover what it takes to keep these gentle creatures healthy. Children must be at least 8 years old and 48 inches tall. Appropriate footwear required. Guests must be able to climb stairs.

Take an exclusive staff-guided tour above the Red Sea Tunnel to meet the mermaids! Watch as the mermaids swim among the spotted eagle rays and colorful Red Sea residents, and talk with them about what it means to be a mermaid! Each tour is 15 minutes, and some restrictions apply.

COST:

$75 per person, limit of 4 persession.  Price includes Mermaid Behind the Scenes and the Mermaid Monday experience.

RESTRICTIONS:

Participants must be at least 52 inches tall and children under the age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.  To enable full viewing of the mermaids by guests, strollers are not allowed forthis event.

TICKETS:

Reservation is required for this exclusive event. You will select a time to see the mermaid swimming in the Red Sea Aquarium to avoid overcrowding in the tunnel. Activities in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion will be open for ticketed guests to explore from 6-8:30PM. Tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.

CHECK-IN:

 

Membership status will be validated at event check in.  Strollers will not be permitted in the tunnel. Doors open at 5:30. Please arrive at least 20 mins before your ticket time to check in and receive your wristband

 

 

 

 

Long before theThoroughgood family settled along the banks of the Lynnhaven River, the ChesapeakeIndians lived, hunted, fished, and farmed this area. This program will give homeschoolfamilies a chance to explore the lives of Virginia Indians. Activities willinclude hands-on history of the Virginia Indians and the Lynnhaven River area,early fire building with a treat cooked over the fire,plant and track identification, and fun games of the indigenous people. Toursof the Thoroughgood House and Education Center will also be available to participants. For questions and additional information, please contact Amanda Rose, Program Educator at 757-385-5118.

Enjoy this fun and flavorful adults-only event with friends and foodies at the Virginia Aquarium. Celebrate seafood that makes sense for a healthy marine environment.

Enjoy the sunset over the water on the Atlantic Explorer for a Craft Brews Cruise. Brought to you by Hoffman Beverage. Indulge in some of the best craft beers in the area during this two hour cruise. Snacks will be available for purchase onboard the ship. Valid photo ID is required at check in. This is a 21 and over event. Boarding begins at 6:30pm.

This program willgive Girl Scouts of all ages a chance to learn about the history of the kitchengarden and its importance in early Virginia life.  Activities will include a hands-on history of kitchengardening, native and cultivated heirloom vegetables, fruits, and herbs, andplanting our new Education Garden at the Francis Land House. Dress to get dirtyand bring your green thumb! Meets hands-on/off-site badge requirements.Gardening badge included. For questions and additional information, please contact Amanda Roche, Program Educator at 757-385-5118.

Discover what is beneath the surface of the water in an engaging 75-minute exploration where Aquarium staff trawls the ocean floor for a sample of sea life to bring on board. This is our most interactive trip, as it offers participants the opportunity assist with the collection and identification of fish, invertebrates, and plankton.

 

Guests should check-in 30 minutes prior to the boat departure time at the dock adjacent to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion parking lot at 717 General Booth Blvd. Day-of tickets are available onsite if space allows.Trips are subject to boating conditions, but will not be canceled due to precipitation. To confirm trip status, please call the Virginia Aquarium at(757) 385-FISH.

 

Tips and What to Wear: Please dress appropriately for the elements. Non-skid shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Allow ample time for parking.  Children under 3 must be included in your reservation.

We are proud to welcome families with children or adults with special needs for a chance to see all of our animals and exhibits in a calm, comfortable environment.

Dive into the depths of the wonder of Owls Creek during a 60-minute cruise with some magical visitors from under the sea: mermaids! Reservations required as space is limited for this enchanting excursion.
Guests should check-in a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the boat departure at the dock adjacent to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion parking lot at 717 General Booth Boulevard. Boarding will begin at 8:30am. To confirm trip status, please call the Virginia Aquarium at (757) 385-FISH.
Tips and What to Wear: Please dress appropriately for the elements. Non-skid shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Allow ample time for parking.