The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s over $70 million renovation project will begin next month. 

The aquarium will undergo a substantial 30-month renovation, according to a press release issued Friday. Plans include adding a 400,000-gallon sand shark habitat, a 10,000-gallon Pacific coral habitat, an interactive shark and ray touch pool featuring benthic sharks, an education center and a 4,000-square-foot rooftop skydeck, the release stated. 

Construction is scheduled to begin on May 26, and the aquarium will remain closed for nearly three years. Once the renovations are complete, the facility is expected to become the largest aquarium in the state, according to the release.

Discovery Bay, an N.C. Aquarium Society experience at the Independence Mall, is slated to open while the aquarium is under construction. 

“We look forward to beginning construction, while continuing to engage our community in new ways,” said Joanna Zazzali, director of the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, said in the release. “Discovery Bay allows us to stay connected with our visitors, advance our conservation mission, and continue to inspire wonder, as we look toward our next chapter.”

In a separate release about Discovery Bay, officials said the space will feature ambassador animal encounters, marine life habitats, educational programs and a gift shop. 

The N.C. Aquarium received a $7.5 million multi-year grant from the New Hanover Community Endowment in 2025 to help fund the multi-year renovation and expansion project, as well as $2 million from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation, according to information on the aquarium's website. 

The aquarium has already received over $60 million from state funding and early supporters, the release said. 

“This transformative project is beginning as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North Carolina Aquariums,” said Pamela Cashwell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in the release. “It is a thrilling way to honor a legacy of conservation, exceptional visitor experience and dedicated animal care, while launching a bold vision for the future.”

The aquarium has reported welcoming about 500,000 visitors annually in recent years.

Most animals will remain at the Aquarium with the animal care, facilities and safety teams continuing to operate on-site throughout the construction, the release said.

Correction: This version of the article corrects the opening timeframe for Discovery Bay.