​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​With animals representing over 300 species, the Virginia Aquarium has gallons of fun for anyone! Enjoy the self-guided tour while you visit both buildings and the Nature Trail that connects them.

Admission sales and free parking are available at both buildings,

and your ticket and hand stamp are good all day at both buildings.

Free parking is also available across General Booth Blvd. in the East Lot.    

Handicapped parking is also available at​ both buildings, and the Aquarium is fully handicapp​​ed accessible.​

The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is only closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.​

​Prices 

Or purchase tickets by calling (757) 385-3474​. ​

• Children 2 and under are free.​
• The Virginia Aquarium offers a $2 discount off of Aquarium admission to active duty and retired military personnel and their dependent family members with military ID. Discounted tickets for the whole family are also available at most MWR offices.
• Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Guest Services Office.

​Activities Included with Admission

• Curiosity Carts: Look for carts stationed in various locations featuring interesting artifacts and demonstrations.
• Divers in Aquariums: Our team of staff and volunteer divers do regularly scheduled maintenance in the largest aquariums. When you stop by to observe, an educator will be there to answer your questions.
• Gallery Programs: Aquarium educators also conduct Q & A sessions at selected aquariums and exhibits.
• Up Close & Personal: Our staff will have an animal for you to see up close. Learn adaptations and behaviors that make this animal unique.
• See what's happening today!​​​

Holiday Activities​

• ​​SCUBA Santa: ​See Santa as he dives in the Red Sea Tunnel every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. through December 23. This event is included in your Aquarium admission.
  
• Sundays with Santa: Join Santa and his elves for fun activities each Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. through December 23.
• Snowy Fun at the Marsh Pavilion: Check out the Marsh Pavilion for a bit of snowy fun before it closes on January 2 for renovations. As a special treat, don't miss the Store Closing Sale with 50% off happening at the Marsh Pavilion store.

Group Tours

From tour groups to churches, family reunions to friends, the Aquarium is the perfect place for your group! Groups of 15 or more are eligible for the special group rates, which include discounts on Aquarium admission, movies, and boat trips.

Note that one payment for the group is required. Aquarium memberships and other discounts may not be used in conjunction with group tours.

To book your group, or for more information, please call out Guest Services Office at (757) 385-3474 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by emailing VAMSCGSO@virginiaaquarium.com. All groups must book at least 24 hours in advance of their planned arrival.

​Behind The Scenes

It takes a lot to keep our Aquarium running, and our Behind the Scenes experiences give you a chance to see all of it! Sponsored by The Oceanfront Inn​​.

​ Above & Beyond

​Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Reservations required by noon.
$15 for Aquarium members, $20 for non-members
Take a peek at the inner workings of a public aquarium and learn about how we care for our fish and other marine animals during this tour of selected Aquarium service areas in the main building. Program lasts about 45 minutes. Participants must be at least 8 years old, 48" tall and able to climb stairs. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. ​Purchase tickets here.

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 1 p.m. Reservations required by noon.
$15 for Aquarium members, $20 for non-members
Go above the Chesapeake Light Tower Aquarium to observe aquarists conducting a feeding and behavioral training session with our sea turtles. Program lasts about 45 minutes. Participants must be at least 8 years old, 48" tall and able to climb stairs. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Purchase tickets here.​​​

​Seals Behind-the-Scenes

Available dates will be announced soon​!

$45 for Aquarium members; $55 for non-members
Ever wonder what it takes to care for or train our harbor seals? Participants will venture behind the scenes and into the harbor seal building where they will speak with one of the Aquarium's professional mammal trainers and meet one of our harbor seals! Guests will learn about these and other amazing marine mammals, their adaptations, our training techniques, and efforts to conserve marine animals and their environment. Program lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Participants must be at least 8 years old and children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a paying, participating adult (18 years of older). Participants must sign a waiver before the program begins, as this program visits slippery areas with animals in close proximity. Must be able to climb stairs. 

Photography Policy at the Aquarium

​Paying guests are welcome to take pictures of their visit to the Virginia Aquarium. For those who wish to schedule a private photography or videography shoot, we offer after business hours options that will fit any need. All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of your desired date. All photographers/videographers must carry insurance policies that adhere to the City of Virginia Beach minimum levels.

If you are interested in scheduling a private photography/videography session, please see the Private Events Fee Schedule for costs and click here for the request form.

If you would like to use the Virginia Aquarium for a commercial or broadcast photography, videography, recording, or art project, please see the Private Events Fee Schedule for costs and click here​ for the request form. 

Accessibility Information

The Virginia Aquarium is proud to welcome all people of all ability levels to enjoy our exhibits and animals. Please see below for specific Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) information.

Service Animals

The Aquarium allows service animals, as defined in Title II of the ADA, which are trained to assist guests with disabilities. Service animals must remain under the control of the owner or handler at all times while in the Aquarium buildings and on Aquarium grounds. If a service animal is out of control or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of staff, guests, or animals in the Aquarium exhibits, we may require the service animal be removed from the premises. In that circumstance Aquarium staff will work with all guests with disabilities to provide alternative accommodations. Please note: Aquarium staff shall not be responsible for the care or maintenance of service animals while on Aquarium property. Therapy or comfort animals are not permitted in Aquarium buildings.

Admission for Guests with Disabilities

The Aquarium complies with ADA regulations, which include a requirement that the Aquarium provide equal access to exhibits, programs, and services to individuals with disabilities. There are no special admission rates for guests with disabilities. Organizations that support people with disabilities may qualify for group rates if they arrange for a group visit in advance. Some organizations may also qualify for assistance through our Access Aquarium fund. This fund subsidizes admission cost for organizations serving youth and adults from low income backgrounds. Please direct questions about these opportunities to the Guest Services Office at (757) 385-3474. Group rates and Access Aquarium funds do not apply to individuals.

Caretaker Admissions

One caretaker is admitted at no charge if they are working with a guest who is visiting the Aquarium. A caretaker is defined as a required medical attendant without whom the guest could not tour the Aquarium. The disabled guest may request an additional caretaker be admitted at 50% of the regular admission.

Accessibility at the Virginia Aquarium's Giant Screen​ Theater

Assistive Listening devices are available for all movies, however not all titles are made available by studios with captions and/or audio descriptions. Please read movie descriptions to learn which movies have closed captioning or adaptations for those with hearing impairments or visual impairments. Please let our theater staff know which assistive service you require prior to being seated, and before the start time of the movie.

Assistive services available upon request:

• Assistive Listening with a headset that amplifies the film's sound. One of our staff will connect a receiver with amplified sound and verify that the battery is charged. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the show.
• Audio Description with a headset that delivers narration of the film. Get descriptive narration to any seat you choose, so you won't miss a thing. Assistive Listening can be paired with Audio Description.
• Closed Captioning with a device that shows a written display of the film's dialogue. This device can be secured​ in your cup holder and will present all of the dialogue in text on the screen.
• Wheelchair spaces available. Our theater has wheelchair spaces with adjacent companion seating.​​