FAQ & Important updates

ECological marine Adventures 2025 Update

Let’s Set Sail on 2025! 🌊🐚

Exciting changes are on the horizon! Starting in 2025, Ecological Marine Adventures will sail forward as a nonprofit, while Topsail Aquarium will drop anchor as a business owned by Taylor & Amber.

But don’t worry—our adventures are staying connected! 🐠 Camps, classes, birthday parties, and field trips will continue to dive into fun with the aquarium.

A few things to note: EMA and Topsail Aquarium will have separate contact information, so you’ll reach out to each for specific questions. Also, after classes, campers will need to pay admission if they’d like to explore the aquarium. It’s all part of helping both teams keep the ocean magic alive! 🌞🐳

FAQ

  • We offer fun classes, really fun classes, super fun classes, and extremely adventurous classes. We offer these classes in various lengths (1 hour - 8+ hours) at a variety of price points, including 3 day classes, 1 day classes and several different special classes, like birthday parties, parent’s night out, field trips and family adventures, and even full-days!

  • Great question! This is a change for EMA, so I am super happy to address it! We call our 3 hour multi-day groups, summer camps. Our classes are considered any other group that meet for only one-time per week. So our classes include ghost crab hunts, single-day classes on Tuesday and Thursday and our SUP and Science Classes. We also have events throughout the year, but those will be specified as events! :)

  • We have four main age groups at this time:

    Sea Squirts: 3 - 5 years old Guppies: 5 - 8 years old

    Groupers: 9-11+ years old Aquarium Apprentice: 11+ years old (TEEN CAMP!)

  • "Rain, rain go away" doesn't always work, unfortunately. As long as there is not severe weather, like a hurricane, we will hold class. With less than ideal outdoor weather, we will do our learning in the EMA lab. We have numerous engaging and exciting activities planned should we need to be in the lab for an extended amount of time. (Hint. hint: so. many. awesome. experiments.)

  • We try to keep the drop-off process as pain free as possible! Our waiver is online, so we don't require you to arrive more than 5 minutes early! Our address is 106 North Topsail Dr, Surf City, NC 28445. 

  • We always have a phone with us while adventuring! If you try the office and everyone is at the beach, please call or text 910-515-9751.

    We keep those phones close and check them every couple minutes! Text is always a quicker option as our instructors are in camps.

  • Students should come to class each day dressed in a bathing suit and a t-shirt or cover up, with sunscreen already applied. Students should have CLOSED TOED shoes such as crocs, keens, sturdy water shoes or old sneakers with them. As a safety precaution, PLEASE NO FLIP FLOPS, unless you pack a pair of closed toed shoes in your bag! If your camper(s) like to wear sunglasses, hats, etc. while on the beach, please bring them with you!

    Our fall, winter and spring semesters do not have to wear their bathing suits, this should be weather dependent. Just keep in mind that we will visit the beach each week!

    • A towel

    • Reef Safe Sunscreen (SPF that is appropriate for your child) PLEASE PACK EXTRA FOR FULL DAY
      CAMPS!

    • A bottle (or two) of water or sports drink

    • A healthy snack, like granola bars, an apple, orange, etc.

    • Closed-Toed shoes

    • A light jacket, if you think you may be chilly after getting wet

    • Feel free to pack a change of clothes if you think your camper will want to change

    • Lunch (Whale Shark Camps ONLY)

  • Oh no, the awkward "T" word!

    Please know that EMA pays their employees for the amazing work that they do, but if you received extraordinary service, or you just want to do something special for someone in the EMA family, that is completely up to you!

    Plus, I don't think any human would turn down some ice cream (or any other unexpected kind gesture!

  • Ah, another awkward “T” word. We wish there were no transaction fees, but unfortunately at this time, they come along with the convenience of online booking!

    You can waive the fees by calling us directly to pay. This may take a few minutes longer than your online booking process, but we are more than happy to do it!