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North Carolina's Crystal Coast Welcomes Sea Life At The New North Carolina Aquarium At Pine Knoll Shores

May 8, 2006

EMERALD ISLE • ATLANTIC BEACH • MOREHEAD CITY • BEAUFORT • CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. -- The Crystal Coast -- North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks -- welcomes the new North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, the largest aquarium in the state, expanding from 29,000 square feet to 93,000 square feet, reopening May 19, 2006. Home to more than 2,500 animals (freshwater and saltwater), holding 430,000 gallons of water and tripling in size from the former facility, the new aquarium makes a big splash with displays from local marine life and shipwreck replicas to extensive programs and innovative exhibits.
Showcasing sea life that is indigenous to North Carolina waters, the new aquarium boasts aquatic wonders featuring more than 40 exhibits in five galleries -- Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean – depicting scenes “from the mountains to the sea.”
Among all of the inspiring exhibits lie infamous shipwrecks re-created to showcase marine life that is drawn to sunken vessels including Queen Anne’s Revenge model duplicating the wreckage thought to be Blackbeard’s flagship from the 18th century along with a replica of a German U-boat sunk in World War II off Cape Lookout located in a display known as the Living Shipwreck. The Living Shipwreck allows guests to experience the display with divers communicating through underwater microphones, bringing the wreck to life.
Other exhibits include river otters playing on a riverbank scene as well as a stingray touch pool, providing visitors with hands-on experience. Also offering two nature trails open for discovery, the aquarium has an array of educational programs from dive shows and live animal programs to animal feeding demonstrations and discovery labs.
For marine life lovers seeking accommodations during their visit, the Crystal Coast offers vacationers a variety of lodging options to suit every lifestyle and budget from seaside cottages and massive beach mansions to oceanfront hotel accommodations and seaside bed and breakfast suites.
Famous for 85-miles of shimmering beaches, crystalline blue water and lush maritime forests, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast along the Southern Outer Banks was designated as having “Clean and Healthy Beaches” by the Clean Beaches Council. The Crystal Coast is recognized among the best shipwreck diving destinations in the world by Scuba Diving magazine.
For more information on the new North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, call (866) 294-3477 or visit www.ncaquariums.com.
To experience NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST, call (800) 786-6962 or visit www.crystalcoastnc.org.
###

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Year 2010
For More Media Information
Jamey Ivey
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
jivey@zimmerman.com


Press Kit Attractions At-a-Glance Accommodations Dining Saltwater Activities Island Hopping Festivals Releases Resources Image Library Archives Search Contact News @lerts Consumer Website	Releases North Carolina's Crystal Coast Welcomes Sea Life At The New North Carolina Aquarium At Pine Knoll Shores May 8, 2006 EMERALD ISLE • ATLANTIC BEACH • MOREHEAD CITY • BEAUFORT • CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. -- The Crystal Coast -- North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks -- welcomes the new North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, the largest aquarium in the state, expanding from 29,000 square feet to 93,000 square feet, reopening May 19, 2006. Home to more than 2,500 animals (freshwater and saltwater), holding 430,000 gallons of water and tripling in size from the former facility, the new aquarium makes a big splash with displays from local marine life and shipwreck replicas to extensive programs and innovative exhibits. Showcasing sea life that is indigenous to North Carolina waters, the new aquarium boasts aquatic wonders featuring more than 40 exhibits in five galleries -- Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean – depicting scenes “from the mountains to the sea.” Among all of the inspiring exhibits lie infamous shipwrecks re-created to showcase marine life that is drawn to sunken vessels including Queen Anne’s Revenge model duplicating the wreckage thought to be Blackbeard’s flagship from the 18th century along with a replica of a German U-boat sunk in World War II off Cape Lookout located in a display known as the Living Shipwreck. The Living Shipwreck allows guests to experience the display with divers communicating through underwater microphones, bringing the wreck to life. Other exhibits include river otters playing on a riverbank scene as well as a stingray touch pool, providing visitors with hands-on experience. Also offering two nature trails open for discovery, the aquarium has an array of educational programs from dive shows and live animal programs to animal feeding demonstrations and discovery labs. For marine life lovers seeking accommodations during their visit, the Crystal Coast offers vacationers a variety of lodging options to suit every lifestyle and budget from seaside cottages and massive beach mansions to oceanfront hotel accommodations and seaside bed and breakfast suites. Famous for 85-miles of shimmering beaches, crystalline blue water and lush maritime forests, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast along the Southern Outer Banks was designated as having “Clean and Healthy Beaches” by the Clean Beaches Council. The Crystal Coast is recognized among the best shipwreck diving destinations in the world by Scuba Diving magazine. For more information on the new North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, call (866) 294-3477 or visit www.ncaquariums.com. To experience NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST, call (800) 786-6962 or visit www.crystalcoastnc.org. ### « Back to Releases
	Year 2010 For More Media Information Jamey Ivey The Zimmerman Agency (850) 668-2222 jivey@zimmerman.com