Aquariums
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
📍 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–5 PM |
About Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Seals, turtles, owls & Komodo dragons. Aquarium focused on Virginia marine life, past & present, with an IMAX theater, boat tour & aviary. Features an unusual combination of marine and terrestrial animals including Komodo dragons alongside Virginia marine life, creating a diverse ecosystem collection across multiple buildings. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 16,403 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Aquarium
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Hundreds of species, loggerhead sea turtles, harbor seals, boat tours, behind-the-scenes experiences
- Special Events
- Sharks After Dark (adults 21+), Member Exclusive Hours, Earth Matters exhibit
💡 Did You Know?
- Features an unusual combination of marine and terrestrial animals including Komodo dragons alongside Virginia marine life, creating a diverse ecosystem collection across multiple buildings
- Offers Sharks After Dark, an adults-only (21+) special event held on the first Friday of each month from 6pm-9pm, priced at $38 for non-members
- Provides interactive boat tours specifically designed to search for marine mammals and wildlife in their natural habitat, going beyond typical stationary aquarium exhibits
- Maintains behind-the-scenes tours as a core interactive offering, allowing visitors hands-on access to animal care areas beyond standard public exhibits
💬 What Visitors Say
- Arrive early or visit on weekdays to avoid long entrance lines during peak times, which visitors frequently mention as a waiting issue
- Purchase tickets in advance online to skip entrance queues and save time before exploring the exhibits
- Plan to visit the cafe before 3pm if you want to eat there, as it closes mid-afternoon and visitors report being hungry after touring the aquarium
- The jellyfish, sea turtles, and sharks are the main crowd-pleasers and best for engaging young children, making them ideal starting exhibits
- Explore behind-the-scenes tours and boat tours for unique experiences beyond the main exhibits, plus consider joining the membership program to access exclusive evening hours
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