$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. Phones, cameras, and other loose articles are not permitted on the tour.​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 or 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 in our public-facing areas. 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 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 at the Aquarium

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. 

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.​​​