When you come to the Crystal Coast to look at property with me, I recommend you schedule some free time to visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. This aquarium is one of three public aquariums located on the Outer Banks. All are operated by the Aquariums Division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. All three aquariums feature dive shows, live animal encounters, and feeding programs.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores features aquatic animals indigenous to the State of North Carolina. Notable among them are sand tiger sharks, a green moray eel measuring about six feet long, a goliath grouper approaching four feet, and a number of sizable nurse sharks, sandbar sharks and various game fishes.
Most of the larger creatures inhabit the aquarium's centerpiece exhibit, the 306,000-US-gallon Living Shipwreck. Hundreds of schooling fishes and other animals create a swirl of constant motion around a replica of U-352, a German submarine that lost a World War II battle with a Coast Guard cutter off the North Carolina coast.
The aquarium's three river otters are rock stars. The initial two otters, were named Neuse and Pungo after North Carolina rivers. Neuse and Pungo came to the aquarium when they were about a year old in 2006. Eno, the third otter, named after a third North Carolina river was brought to the aquarium at four weeks old in April 2008. Aquarists bottle-fed him until he could trade formula for fish and other solid food, and helped him learn to swim. Now he's strong, healthy, energetic and playful. Wide viewing windows bring their playful antics and underwater agility to child-eye-level, and the lively trio enchant people of all ages.
Another aquatic attraction is Nimbus. On August 11, 2010, a rare white sea turtle was brought to the aquarium for care. Nimbus, as the turtle was named, was weak and smaller than the average loggerhead hatchling. It turned up when a hatched-out Pine Knoll Shores nest was excavated for baby turtles left behind. Hampered by a cleft palate, it had to be coaxed into eating. It lagged behind in growth. Today, Nimbus is on exhibit in the Tidal Waters Gallery. The turtle is something of a rock star at the aquarium — especially with visiting school groups.
The North Carolina Aquarium also features two hands-on exhibits: the Tidal Touch Pool, featuring a large variety of aquatic invertebrates, and Skate and Ray Encounters.
Throughout the year the North Carolina Aquarium offers free daily programs, including: live animal programs, animal feeding presentations, a "Live Dive!" show, puppet shows, quiz games and hands-on activities. In the summer, beginning June 1, the North Carolina Aquarium offers snorkeling & surfing classes, night treks to search for nesting sea turtles, river cruises, kayaking and canoeing excursions, and fishing courses.
Kayaking, canoeing and fishing programs continue into the fall, when seafood cooking classes are also offered.
Behind-the-scenes tours, Dinner with the Critters, and Breakfast with the Rays are offered year-round. I highly recommend the Behind-the-scenes tour where you can see all the people and technology that supports the amazing exhibits.
When you are ready to buy or sell real estate at the Crystal Coast, do yourself a favor and text or call me at 919-308-2292 or send me an email at DRaczkowski@fathomrealty.com. And, I'll make time for you to visit attractions on the Crystal Coast such as the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
Comments