Museum of Coastal Carolina – Ocean Isle

The Museum of Coastal Carolina is a welcome distraction from the sun, heat and sand in your crevices that are the usual hallmarks of a trip to the beach.  It has a dry aquarium, very hands on exhibits and great short programs on ecology. It isn’t an incredible bargain at $8 per adult but it isn’t bad by any stretch. I wouldn’t put it on the top of the list of things to do but it is a good change of pace and the kids that were running around seemed to love it.

Dry aquarium? You read that right – this museum is not only the only natural history museum on the barrier islands but it has the largest dry aquarium in the known universe. The dry aquarium is a large room with fish hanging from the ceiling and mounted to the walls and floor.  No water needed.

If you end up going here make sure you plan to stay for one of the programs. We stayed for one on sea turtles (they lay their eggs on the barrier islands) and the presenters were knowledgeable and extremely patient. I really did not know that most sea turtles do not turn into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. What do I have to say about that?  Ninja please!