Children in pirate and fairy costumes looking into a shell touch pool

Dive into an Underwater FantaSea at the Virginia Aquarium!

Virginia Beach, VA – Embark in the magic and mystery of FantaSea Evenings at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center on July 16 and 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Become enchanted by a make-believe world under the sea where guest can meet pirates with mischievous grins, mythical dragons, merma…

Three scholarship winners holding their awards

Virginia Aquarium Awards $15,000 in Scholarships

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Volunteer League, through the Virginia Aquarium Foundation, awarded a total of $15,000 in scholarships to three high-achieving Aquarium volunteers. The scholarship winners are recent 2024 graduates selected through an applicat…

Juvenile Tomistoma Crocidile being Held by Aquarium Staff

Tomistoma Hatchlings Safely Arrive at New Home

Virginia Beach, VA — On Saturday May 25, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s two 1-year-old Tomistoma crocodiles safely arrived at their new home, Crocodile Encounter in Texas. The trip was a two-day excursion, departing the Virginia Aquarium on Friday morning and traveling by van. …

Mascots Sandy the sea turtle and Speckles the spotted eagle ray play pickleball

Virginia Aquarium Hosts First-Ever Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is hosting its first-ever pickleball tournament fundraiser called Dink or Swim on Saturday, June 15 to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day and the Aquarium’s 38th anniversary. Registrants will play in teams of two at the Aquarium’s n…

Image of a North American river otter swimming

Beloved Aquarium Otter Passed Away Unexpectedly

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s 12-year-old North American river otter, Sheldon, passed unexpectedly this morning during a routine anesthetic procedure for his annual exam. Virginia Aquarium staff are deeply saddened and grieving this significant loss. As …

Amy Stitcher Named Chief Finance Officer at the Virginia Aquarium

Virginia Beach, VA – After a competitive and thorough process, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has hired Amy Stitcher as the new Chief Finance Officer (CFO). Stitcher joined the Aquarium staff in February and leads the accounting and finance team. “With her breadth of experience …

Jar of Coffee Beans and Virginia Aqauirum Mug

A New Komodo Coffee Blend for Dragon and Coffee Lovers

Virginia Beach, VA – Distinct earthy tones, flavors of dark chocolate and vanilla, and notes of black pepper and cedar. This is what to expect from the new Fathom Coffee Komodo Dragon blend, in collaboration with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. This blend contains sustainably sou…

Komodo Dragon Lips His Lips with Eyes Wide Open

Love Bites! Symbolically Bite Back with Virginia Aquarium’s Fundraiser

Virginia Beach, VA — Starting on Feb. 1, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will launch its untraditional Valentine’s Day fundraiser called Love Bites to lift the heart-broken and jilted souls. When love stings like a jelly, make it a cathartic experience by symbolically feeding your…

Young girl climbs rope shaped like a spider web

New Changing Exhibit, Rainforest Adventure, Swings to the Virginia Aquarium

Virginia Beach, VA – Explore some of the least known habitats on Earth at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s new interactive Changing Exhibit, Rainforest Adventure, opening Sunday, January 21. Created by Minotaur Mazes, Rainforest Adventure boasts a maze design inviting guests to n…

Three staff evaluate a sea turtle on a medical table

Virginia Aquarium Responded to 63 Hooked Sea Turtles in 2023

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Stranding Response Team responded to another high number of sea turtles hooked on fishing lines in 2023, nearly matching last year’s record-breaking season. ‘Hooked sea turtle season’ is the Aquarium’s coined term used to refe…