Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
4.4(17K)google
3.8(456)yelp
ScienceWildlife WatchingFamilyKidsEducational
Overview
Perched beautifully along the scenic, salt-air tidal waters of Owls Creek in Virginia Beach, this world-class institution offers an incredible, deeply educational underwater voyage. The massive multi-building complex houses over eight hundred thousand gallons of spectacular exhibits showcasing hundreds of diverse marine species from regional and global ecosystems. Visitors can stroll inside stunning glass tunnels surrounded by swirling shark species, view playful harbor seals diving dynamically, and explore a colorful coastal habitat pulsing with multi-sensory interactive displays.
Practical Info
Mon9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-4 hours
Best TimeAn immersive, world-class indoor marine science center perfect for year-round exploration. Target weekday mornings (Wednesday-Thursday) at the 9:00 AM opening when school group traffic drops, ensuring unhindered access to stand before the colossal 300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon shark habitats.
Getting TherePositioned directly on the coastal wetlands spine at 717 General Booth Boulevard in southern Virginia Beach. Drive south from the primary Oceanfront strip via Pacific Ave across the Rudee Inlet Bridge, which transitions into General Booth Blvd. The complex features its own massive free paved parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- The aquarium is split into the North and South Pavilions, separated by a 0.3-mile outdoor nature trail (10-minute walk). A seasonal golf-cart shuttle operates, but visitors must plan for open-air walking between exhibits during rain.
- The aquarium operates on a strict online timed-entry system; walk-up ticket sales at the windows are generally unavailable. The on-site zip-line trekking course (The Adventure Park) requires a completely separate reservation via its own website.
- The main North Pavilion lot fills to capacity by weekend mid-days. Illegal overflow parking in local boat marinas or marsh preservation zones triggers immediate towing. Divert directly to the paid municipal East Parking Lot.
Reviews
Positive
- The massive open-ocean shark tank and close-up views of Komodo dragons deliver strong visual impact; marine collections are extensive and live up to the hype.
- The museum's flat, step-free accessible design is perfectly executed; restrooms are frequent with changing tables, and interactive touchscreens are highly intuitive.
- The educational educators maintain an extremely professional, gentle attitude; feeding shows run with great order, and frequent patrols make parents feel safe.
- The admission ticket covers both the North and South buildings connected by a canopy trail, granting access to marine life alongside a pristine swamp boardwalk.
Heads up
- The North and South Pavilions are far apart, requiring a 1/3-mile outdoor walk that is miserable for families during summer downpours or peak humidity.
- The standard ticket isn't cheap, and the internal IMAX theater, dinosaur adventure ropes course, and boat tours require pricey extra tickets, bringing clear upcharges.
- On weekends and holidays, density from tour groups and families is extremely high, packed with running kids and noisy screams, making quiet viewing difficult.
- The dedicated self-driving parking lot is full at midday; being right next to the beach highway, leaving the venue in peak afternoons involves heavy traffic paralysis.