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.

💬 What Parents 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

Hours