Family Fun in Pine Knoll Shores

Sharks circle the coral-encrusted remains of a World War II German submarine. A sea turtle hovers above the scattered cannon of Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. Bright tropical fish peak from the ports of the Caribsea, a freighter sunk by the Germans off Cape Lookout in 1942.

North Carolina has many historic sites, but quite a few of them lie on the sea floor off our coast, never seen by anyone except scuba divers.

The newly renovated N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on the Crystal Coast brings these undersea sights ashore where everyone can see and learn from them.

The original wreck sites have been left intact, but the museum's mock-ups are as accurate as modern science can make them. Many of the fish that inhabit the exhibits were caught in the ocean near the wrecks.

But the spectacular 306,000 gallon tank that holds the U-138 is just the final stop on the journey through the 93,000 square foot museum, a trip that follows the state's waters from the mountains, down through many streams, lakes and rivers, to the sea.

Forty exhibits tell North Carolina's aquatic story. A 32-foot mountain waterfall begins the journey with a splash.

In the galleries that follow, visitors come face to face with a giant catfish, meet our native mountain trout and wonder at the delicate fins of a lionfish, newcomer to our offshore waters.

Two otters named Neuse and Pungo entertain with belly rolls and dives in their riverbank habitat.

Kids of all ages enjoy petting rays and picking up urchins in the new touchtanks.

Another gallery introduces the salt-water game fish that make N.C. off-shore angling famous.

Closed for two and a half years during a $25 million expansion that tripled its size, the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores proved immediately popular following its May, 2006 reopening.

"We had a great summer," said Julie Powers, public relations coordinator for the aquarium. "We predicted 500,000 people would visit the first year, but as of September first we already had 367,000 visitors."

"We knew after closing the Aquarium for two years, reopening would be a big deal, but we had no idea it would be this big," said Jay Barnes, director of the aquarium.

Melissa Kenward, marketing director at Emerald Isle Realty, said the aquarium plays an important role for the families that rent the 750 properties managed by her company. "This is our closest rainy day attraction," she said. "Emerald Isle Realty sponsored an exhibit, Grass Flats, and dedicated it to our vacationing families."

The salt-water tank houses North Carolina's state fish, the red drum. Kenward said she also books many special events into the aquarium.

The 65-foot observation window in the Living Shipwrecks exhibit makes a stunning backdrop for receptions. Soundside Hall, a meeting room overlooking Bogue Sound, accommodates 125 people. With a cathedral ceiling, outside deck and working stone fireplace, the hall is especially popular for weddings.

RETURN TO TOP

Fort Macon, the most visited of North Carolina's state parks, sits at the eastern tip of Bogue Banks. The town of Emerald Isle lies at the western end.

Bogue Banks' location is a unique asset, according to Jerry Delu, chairman of the board at the Ocean Club, a resort and conference center complex that stretches from sound to sea across the banks.

"This is the most cooperative place in the world," she says. "The oceanfront runs east to west here, so you can lie on the beach and the sun moves around you."

The Ocean Club's international health and wellness center celebrated its grand opening last spring.

Traditionally a family resort area, the communities on Bogue Banks retain their appeal even as motels and campgrounds give way to resorts and condominiums.

A.C. Hall and his wife Dorothy opened the Atlantis Lodge in Atlantic Beach, near the eastern end of the Banks, in 1963. Hall served as Raleigh's city planner for 25 years and applauds the new aquarium just down the road. "It's more than educational," he said. "It's fun."

The Halls are among the many local families and businesses that helped fund the Pine Knoll Shores renovation, contributing to the construction of the entrance pavilion and sponsoring the internship program.

The new aquarium hasn't hurt business any, Hall said. "This is our best year ever."

For more about the NC state aquariums, visit ncaquariums.com

And special thanks to Caitlin Snead, our model, for putting her head into the jaws of that gator.

RETURN TO TOP