Celebrate National Oyster Day with the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island on August 5
By Sallie Bowman | Reprinted from North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
Public Invited to Enjoy Special Activities to Learn About the Importance of Oysters and Preview the Aquarium’s Newest Exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection”
Caption: “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection” is the newest exhibit under construction at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Click here to download a high-resolution version of this image.
Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
MANTEO, N.C. – On Tuesday, Aug. 5, the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is celebrating National Oyster Day and the “Human-Oyster Connection.” Oysters are important animals that are connected to humans in surprising ways and have been a part of our shared culture for thousands of years. Visitors are invited to the Aquarium Aug. 5 to learn about oysters, the significance of oysters in American culture, and the positive impact oysters have on the health of coastal habitats and communities. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5 the Aquarium will host special activities that highlight the importance of oysters in culture, cuisine, and ecosystems throughout history. Discover these fascinating connections with the Aquarium with oyster-themed activities, games, crafts, and information sessions with Aquarium partners, N.C. Coastal Federation and N.C. Sea Grant. Visitors can journey through oyster history and complete an “Oysters Through the Ages” Scavenger Hunt. Special activities for National Oyster Day are included with regular Aquarium admission.
In discussing the importance of oysters, Larry Warner, director of the Aquarium, said, “Oysters, through their unique filtration abilities, are essential to the health of our coastal ecosystems. But equally, they are an important economic driver for our state as a food source. The Aquarium is committed to telling all sides of the story around these amazing creatures.”
The Aquarium is entering the final construction stages of its newest exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection,” scheduled to be complete in September. More than six years in the making, this exhibit has been made possible through generous support and funding from the N.C. Aquarium Society, the N.C. Coastal Federation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. When complete, the exhibit will showcase all aspects of oysters, including the life cycle of oysters, oyster reef construction, mariculture, and coastal oyster farmers who provide oysters for the restaurant industry.
Caption: Images from the Aquarium’s exhibit, “Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection” highlight the role of oysters in the ecosystem and the history of a shared culture.
Click here and here to download high-resolution versions of these images.
Photos Courtesy of the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
In addition to oyster-themed activities on Aug. 5, the Aquarium will be offering regularly scheduled programming, including behind-the-scenes experiences, outdoor programs, and Shipwreck Stories at the Aquarium’s 285,000-gallon shark habitat. A daily calendar of events is available on the Aquarium website. Founded in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
National Oyster Day
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina’s coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 319,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon “Graveyard of the Atlantic” shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina’s waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
374 Airport Rd., Manteo, NC 27954
