Monday, July 8, 2024

Virginia Beach, VA – Sink your teeth into Shark Week at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center with jaw-some activities, shark talks from keepers, prizes, and more! Shark Week will take place at the Aquarium from July 21 through 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. During these hours, guests can experience enhanced offerings at both the North Building and South Building.


Guests can celebrate sharks and learn about shark conservation with bonus guest experiences including an interactive FINGO game, Shark egg guest quest, and a special career panel.


Shark talks will be hosted daily all week daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the North Building Promenade and South Building Education Hall at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Topics include shark superpowers, shark myths, anatomy & senses, research, and conservation. A shark talk will not occur on Saturday at the North Building to accommodate a private event.


Catch the career panel on Tuesday, July 23 at 12 p.m. at the North Building. The panel includes a breadth of Aquarium careers including notable panelists, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis, president and CEO; Donovan Krauter, Private Events Coordinator; Rachael Ginsburg, School & Youth Specialist; and Alec Bright, Assistant Curator of Scientific Exhibits.


The Virginia Aquarium is home to several shark species including sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and a zebra shark. All Shark Week activities are included in the price of admission.


The Virginia Aquarium and Duck Donuts have teamed up to celebrate shark species and conservation. Anyone who makes a gift to the Virginia Aquarium Foundation online or in person July 7 through 13 will receive a coupon for a free shark-themed donut at Duck Donuts in Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Williamsburg. Proceeds will go to SAFE Sharks and Rays program towards conservation action. For online donors, please allow one business day to receive your coupon.


For a deeper dive into shark experiences, guests can purchase a shark Behind-the-Scenes tour for $25 for members and $30 for general public. View the Aquarium’s sharks from a new perspective above the Norfolk Canyon exhibit, where the aquarists will share their knowledge of sharks. Learn about the Norfolk Canyon, lying deep in the Atlantic Ocean nearly 60 miles off the coast. Behind-the-scenes tours will be available on select days and times.


Aquarium admission can be purchased at VirginiaAquarium.com .


Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquarium, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.


The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.


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