NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher to close for ambitious expansion project. What to know

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is expanding to become the largest shark habitat in the state.

The aquarium will close early this year for the first major renovation and expansion in nearly 25 years, according to a press release. The closure is expected to last more than two years.

A closing date has yet to be announced, but the aquarium expects to remain open through January.

When the aquarium reopens, it will include a 400,000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat offering visitors a view through a 40-foot-wide and 15-foot-tall curved acrylic window. The expansion also will include an interactive shark and ray touch pool and a state-of-the-art education center.

Most of the animals will remain at the aquarium during the renovation, but some will be relocated to facilities at Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island and other accredited zoos and aquariums, the aquarium says.

In the meantime, the aquarium will open Discovery Cove in the coming months at Independence Mall in Wilmington featuring “ambassador animal encounters, marine life habitats, environmental education programs” and a gift shop, according to a news release.

The aquarium at Fort Fisher draws about a half-million visitors each year, according to the state.

This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM.