Membership FAQ
Using Your Membership
Your membership unlocks free admission to all three NC Aquariums and walk-on access to Jennette’s Pier; free admission to the NC zoo; discounted admission at more than 150 participating zoos and aquariums nationwide; gift shop savings; and exclusive events.
Additional benefits vary by membership level. Visit our memberships page for details or reach out to us with questions.
Visit the AZA Reciprocal Admissions site for a list of participating Zoos and Aquariums. Always call the facility you intend to visit before traveling there to confirm reciprocity.
NC Aquariums Members receive free admission to the North Carolina Zoo. Be sure to move through the “Members Only” lines 5 & 6 when you visit. Your membership will not be accepted at the NC Zoo in ticket lines 1-4.
Your membership card is delivered digitally via email within three business days of purchase or renewal. Simply download it to your phone’s wallet app. Visit our Digital Membership Card FAQ for more detailed information.
If your membership includes a premium gift, you can pick it up at Visitor Services at any of our Aquarium locations. Just show your membership card and ID.
If your membership includes complimentary passes, you may redeem them during your visit. To help ensure a smooth entry at your preferred time, we recommend contacting the aquarium you plan to visit in advance to make a reservation and letting them know you will be using your complimentary pass(es).
If you would like your complimentary passes printed and mailed to you, please contact our membership team. Your passes will expire on the day your membership expires and will not roll over into the following year.
Advance purchase of tickets is recommended. Entry is timed and timeslots do sell out. With an advance reservation, you can find your ideal time and get into the aquarium faster when you arrive!
Members can reserve their free tickets before visiting any NC Aquarium. Reserve online here or by calling the Aquarium you plan to visit.
Ready to dive right in? Show your confirmation email and a photo ID at check-in and the gift shop to access your benefits immediately.
Simply show your digital card at more than 150 participating zoos and aquariums to receive your discount. We recommend calling ahead to verify reciprocity, as participating locations can change.
NC Zoo members can reserve tickets through the NC Aquarium’s online ticketing and reservation system. Check out as a guest and select the NC Zoo Member option.
Your membership benefits remain unchanged during the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s renovation and expansion project. You have year-round access to the NC Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island, walk-on access to Jennette’s Pier, free admission to the NC Zoo, and discounted admission to 150+ AZA-affiliated zoos and aquariums nationwide. We will host exclusive events and programs in the Fort Fisher area during closure for you to enjoy.
Digital Membership Cards
For new members, or members who have yet to download their card, a download link will be emailed to your primary membership email address that will include instructions for how to download the card to your phone, which will be stored in your phone’s wallet app.
If you have downloaded your card from a previous membership, your card will automatically update upon renewal. You will not receive an email. If you updated your membership type, a second digital card will be created in your digital wallet that may be located behind your old card. Please email [email protected] if you do not receive your digital card.
The email containing the membership card download link should arrive within 1-3 business days of your purchase or renewal. If you renew your membership early, your digital card will not update until your current membership expires.
Membership benefits can be redeemed immediately at our aquariums by using your confirmation email as proof of purchase at Visitor Services. A photo ID is also required.
iPhones have a native app called Apple Wallet where your card will be stored.
1. Open the email containing your digital card on your iPhone.
2. Click the “Download Membership Card” button on the email you received. This will open a preview of your card.
3. Click “Add to Wallet,” then “Add.”
4. Your digital membership card will automatically download to the iPhone’s Apple Wallet, where it can be accessed at any time.
To access the digital wallet, swipe down on your home screen to activate the Search function. Type “Wallet” into the search bar. Then, tap the Apple Wallet icon that appears under the “Applications” header. From there, you will be able to access your digital card!
For the best experience, our digital card provider, Cuseum, recommends that Android users download the Google Wallet app to store their card.
1. Open the email containing your digital card from your Android phone
2. Click the “Download Membership Card” button in the email you received. This will open a preview of your card.
3. Click “Save to Google Wallet.” In some cases, Google Wallet may ask you to log in so you can save it to an account. Please log in to continue (no credit card information should be required).
4. Your digital membership card will be saved to your Google Wallet and you will be able to access it from the Google Wallet app at any time.
Certainly! First, check the Junk, Spam, and Unwanted folders in your email. Additionally, you can try searching for the term “Cuseum”. If you’re still having trouble, email our Membership Department at [email protected] and we will send you a download link.
Due to our commitment to reducing plastic, all members will now receive a digital membership card sent to the email address you provide. If you prefer to a physical card in addition to your digital card, you can print a pdf version of your digital card or request a paper card by contacting our Membership Department at [email protected].
You can download a PDF version of the front of your card to print at home. Use the printout as you would a normal card to check in. A photo ID is also required.
- Open the email containing your digital card
- Click the “Download Membership Card” button
- Scroll down to view a preview of your card
- Click “Or Print a Physical Copy”
- Download and print the PDF
Please note that the PDF card does not show the back of your card, which details your member benefits. You can find a full list of member benefits on our website.
A second adult on your account will not receive a direct download to their email. Please share the card using the process below. Since there are multiple smartphone brands, models, and operating systems out there, click on the situation that suits your case the most:
Contact our Membership Department at [email protected], call 984-239-6793, or submit an inquiry via our Contact Us form. We will respond as quickly as possible within our operating hours (M-F 9a-5p).
Purchasing & Gifting
You’ll receive a confirmation email after purchasing your membership. If you don’t see it in your inbox, check your junk, spam, or unwanted folders. Still can’t find it? Reach out to us.
Yes! You can include multiple memberships and donations in one cart.
Absolutely! Click “Purchase a Gift Membership” on our membership page and complete the form for your recipient. An email address is required for your recipient to ensure they receive their digital membership card.
Your recipient’s digital membership card will arrive at the email address you provide in 1-3 business days.
Need your gift sooner than 1–3 business days? You can buy a gift card for the membership amount, and your recipient can redeem gift cards for memberships over the phone or in any of our gift shops.
Renewals & Expiration
Nope! Your digital card automatically updates within three days after renewal. Download it once and you’re all set.
New memberships expire on the last day of the month, one year from purchase. For example, if you purchased a membership on May 15, 2025, it would expire on May 31, 2026. Renewals begin when your current membership expires.