Visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina, a natural history museum located in beautiful Ocean Isle Beach, NC. View collections of fossils, sea shells, shark jaws, and Native American artifacts. Walk through the Ocean Reef, a seascape diorama with life-size models of sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, fish, and crustaceans. Touch live sea creatures such as sea stars, whelks, conchs, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and more in the Sea Shore Gallery’s Touch Tank. Gaze at a 225-gallon aquarium that depicts a colorful NC hard bottom reef. Walk under a sand dune in the Legacy of the Sea Turtle Exhibit, watch a video of nesting sea turtles that was filmed right on Ocean Isle Beach, and learn about the life cycle of these amazing animals. Experience hands-on exhibits and view wildlife dioramas depicting the plants and animals that live in the Green Swamp, barrier islands, and coastal plain. Visit the Museum’s gift shop for educational and entertaining nature-themed gifts.
Conveniently located next to a playground and only one block from the beach and fishing pier, the Museum hosts special programs and events throughout the year. Programs and hours change seasonally, so call the Museum or visit the website for up-to-date information. Contact the Education Coordinator to make advance reservations for group visits. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss volunteer opportunities. Museum admission is free for Museum members. Non-member all-day admission is $9 for adults (13-61), $8 for seniors (62+), $7 for children (3-12), and free for age 2 and under. Visit the Museum’s sister facility, Ingram Planetarium, located only 4 miles away in nearby Sunset Beach. Present your Museum receipt at the Planetarium and get $1 off admission. Ask about the reciprocity agreement with The Children’s Museum of Wilmington.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas: greeting visitors, helping in the gift shop, supervising visitors and answering questions at the touch tank. To volunteer, contact Harold Wainman at 910-579-1016 or vol.cord@museumplanetarium.org.
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