The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
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The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a top rated aquarium located just a quick drive from the beach. It is a great daytime destination for anyone vacationing in the area as it is just a short drive away from the boardwalk. When you tire of the heat and sunshine, I recommend planning a cool air conditioned escape to this fantastic aquarium.
Although the aquarium is not as fancy as bigger city aquariums like The Shedd in Chicago, exploring the marine life is an interesting way to fill up an afternoon. It’s one of the best things you can do when the temps are just too hot and humid. Mike and I have been to our share of aquariums and we enjoyed our time here.
The main problem with this aquarium lies in the fact that there are more displays and educational exhibits rather than actual fish, which is a shame considering the high admission price. On the plus size, the large aquariums are pretty mesmerizing, as is the stingray exhibit where you can enjoy a hands on experience.
I also liked the tunnel tank, the shark tank, and the giant sea turtle tank. There are 2 IMAX options during our visit; we decided on “Under the Sea.” This IMAX film fit in well with the tropical fish theme. The special effects our great and we learned a lot of new facts. Note that IMAX films require an extra fee.
I really loved the shark tank. This aquarium is home to 3 types of shark: nurse, sandbar, and zebra.
I love watching the giant sea turtles. This aquarium is home to Green Turtles and Loggerheads. Green turtles can live up to 70 years and weigh more than 400 pounds. They eat algae and seagrass making them a vegetarian species compared to other turtles. The museum also houses Loggerheads (called as so for their large heads). They can also live to be 70 years old and often weight over 250 pounds. They eat bottom dwellers, fish, and mollusks.
UPDATE: The south building underwent a massive expansion in 2024. This includes 20,000 gallons of new exhibits with the highlights being moon jellyfish and cuttlefish. I love jellyfish so I can’t wait to check out this new exhibit one of these days!
There is also a nice nature trail on-site which connects the North and South building. Taking a light walk was a nice treat on a mild day and we enjoyed the peaceful views of the surrounding trees and lake. It’s just a half mile walk but super pretty. I enjoyed the peaceful views of Owl Creek via the boardwalk. If you like birdwatching, take a close look at the creek and watch for marshland birds.
The coolest exhibits
The highlight here is the Norfolk Canyon Aquarium, located in the North Building. In this massive tank, you can see sandbar and nurse sharks, giant sea turtles including Loggerheads, southern stingray, and green moray eels. It’s very colorful and visually appealing.
The Cold Water gallery is pretty cool. I am so in awe of colorful coral reefs. I love seeing the Blue Tang fish (Dory from Finding Nemo) and other colorful fish that live in coral reefs.
Jellyfish never fail to fascinate me. Contrary to the popular urban legend, you should never pee on a jellyfish sting. According to the Cleveland Clinic, peeing on the wound can cause even more pain as it triggers the release of more venom, so it’s best to just wash off with water.
Have you ever been stung? I was stung one time on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It did hurt pretty bad for a few hours, but I was basically back to normal by the next day. Let’s just say, I prefer watching the amazing looking creatures from the safety of an aquarium tank!
Lionfish are so cool to see in person. I love the unique coloring. They are native to the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Their spines are venomous, so they can be dangerous. Fortunately, getting stung by a lionfish is rare.
Restless Habitat is a pretty cool exhibit where you can see prehistoric mammals like Komodo dragons, spotted eagle rays, and crocodiles.
Overall, the aquarium is worth a visit if you visit during the spring months when it’s still a bit too cool for the beach. I recommend adding the IMAX option to your admission as it only adds a few bucks to your total costs. Not to mention it is one of the best parts of the aquarium experience. Don’t skip out on the relaxing nature trail which provides fantastic photo opportunities!
Address & Admission
717 General Booth Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Open daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: $35 per adult, $30 senior, $30 youth, Free under 4. Pricing current as of 2026.
Check website for updated pricing info and hours.
Learn more about the aquarium exhibits
Special experiences: The museum also offers dolphin boat tours and behind the scenes tour. They also offer special events throughout the year like “Sharks After Dark” and “Toddler Tuesdays.”
Accessibility: Manual wheelchairs are available first come, first served (photo ID required). The aquarium is accessible and there are parking spots reserved for guests with disabilities. They are certified sensory friendly by Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity®. Sensory friendly mornings are offered the second Saturday, from 7:30am-9:00am.
More fun in the area
The top thing to do in this area is taking a stroll or bike ride along the gorgeous boardwalk trail. This is one of the most scenic coastal biking paths I’ve come across. It is a lot easier to get in some exercise on vacation when the views are so pretty. There is a really cool Neptune statue along the way and plenty of cafes to grab a bite. I love that this path is lit up at night so you can feel safe taking a sunset stroll.
