Virginia Marine Science Museum - Virginia Beach

Address:717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Tel: (757) 437-6020

Explore over 700,000 gallons of water at one of the best aquariums and live animal habitats in the United States. At the Virginia Marine Science Museum you will enjoy numerous hands-on exhibits, an outdoor aviary, a nature trail and marshlands. And the museum houses a 3D IMAX Theater for further viewing pleasure.

At the museum's Bay & Ocean Pavilion visitors can delve into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and see many aquatic animals and plants native to the state. And at the Chesapeake Bay touch pool you'll find the largest collection of fish and horseshoe crab at your fingertips.

Turtles, sharks and stingrays will amaze you as you learn about the science of oceanography through exciting hands-on exhibits. The Marsh Pavilion contains otters, seahorses, snakes and other marsh dwellers. And at the "macro-marsh" plants and animals are magnified ten-times their normal size. If that's not enough, check out the half-acre bird aviary that houses 55 different species of native birds. You will also enjoy the 1/3 mile nature trail which passes through salt marsh and woodlands. Climb a 30 foot observation tower and get a view of Owls Creek from tree-top level.

The Aquarium has two stores: Water's Edge, located in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion, sells bay and ocean themed items ranging from jewelry to toys. The Fiddler's Cove, located in the Marsh Pavilion, offers marsh and woodland themed items and gifts.

Located just one mile south of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Marine Science Museum is easy to get to. From I-64, take I-264 east towards Virginia Beach Overfront and exit at Birdneck Road exit 22. Continue south until you hit General Booth Blvd. and make a left. Both the Marsh Pavilion and the Bay & Ocean Pavilion are about a ½ mile down. Visitors can ride the HRT to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion or the Marsh Pavilion from anywhere in Hampton Roads.

Start your adventure at the Virginia Marine Science Museum at either one of the Pavilions, and you'll have a wonderful time.

Marine mammals and sea turtles live out their lives in the ocean, allowing us only brief glimpses into their intriguing world. Unfortunately, these amazing creatures sometimes end up on our beaches, sick, injured or dead. These events are known as "strandings." They can be due to natural causes, or possibly, human interaction. These stranding events provide a unique opportunity for scientists to examine animals that are otherwise difficult to study in their natural habitats.