Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO

Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO The Aquarium & Shark Lab is home to 6,000 gallons of saltwater exhibits, dozens of reptiles, and unique ocean discoveries. We're the aquarium that inspires!

Visit and talk with our exciting and knowledgeable staff, volunteers, and interns. We look forward to seeing you at the sea! At the Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO, we dive deep into education, enrichment, and awareness of the oceans. Our unique curriculum offers educational programs and exhibits sure to engage all who visit. As flexible as the tide, our team is constantly encouraging exploratio

n and growth from all of our visitors - the young to the young at heart. Whether you're looking for a fun day or want to learn more about life under the waves, come visit us.

07/10/2025
07/10/2025

we were ll be live for our small shark feed in about 5 minutes!! Plz join us

07/03/2025

Preview Video

Egg-citing times at the Aquarium!Our small sharks are producing eggs with large, rounded yokes. The red foot tortois...
07/02/2025

Egg-citing times at the Aquarium!

Our small sharks are producing eggs with large, rounded yokes. The red foot tortoise is he's are starting to show signs for hope that they are fertilized. We still have months t go, but we can be patient! She n the successful hatching of an egg from the right asian tortoises, we are staying positive! Emileigh found another red foot egg in the bottom of their nesting pit while changing the substrate today! And not to be left out, our flying gecko, Rango, has gifted us an egg as well!

Magic to mes at the sea!

07/01/2025

Aquarium updates 7/1 - 7/5 2025

- we will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 1-4pm
-we will be CLOSED Friday 7/4
-downtown parade Friday 7/4 10:30 am
- main street closures begin at 6 am 7/4
- main street celebration 7/4 5:pm

Today we have Emileigh one of our staff handling Camelot, one of our bearded dragons, for some social time. Then we have...
06/28/2025

Today we have Emileigh one of our staff handling Camelot, one of our bearded dragons, for some social time. Then we have Cookie (one of our newer reptiles) finds himself a cozy place to nap. Now we have Bonnie climbing the ladder to her favorite sleeping spot.

Reef Camp is going great! The weather hit us with severe lightening first thing this morning, so we had to scrap our...
06/25/2025

Reef Camp is going great! The weather hit us with severe lightening first thing this morning, so we had to scrap our snorkel trips!

We did more amazing labs with plankton, micro invertebrates, coral propogation, and invertebrate behavior.

This team is living all the microscope based research !

All are happy and full of questions. I am so proud of their participation in classes and labs. We are making a plan for converting the 200 into coral propogation and discussing turning the gallery wall into a living example of ocean zones going from shore to patch reef! One big long system!

These projects will be so great for the kids to build and run. Definitely looking for sponsors!

good morning from Reef Camp! Ever wonder how many campers can fit in a whale?
06/24/2025

good morning from Reef Camp!

Ever wonder how many campers can fit in a whale?

Reef Camp is underway! Flight left Asheville at 7 am and landed Ft. lauderdale at 9 one quick stop to get a renta...
06/23/2025

Reef Camp is underway! Flight left Asheville at 7 am and landed Ft. lauderdale at 9 one quick stop to get a rental van then off to the Everglades!

They all loved the airboat ride and feeding baby gators and emus

then it was off to Robert is Here for the most fantastic smoothies!

big snack shopping spree

and here we are at marinelab perfect dinner and off to keys ecology class!

Our leopard geckos, Mini and Cookie, relaxing yesterday after greeting a houseful of guests at the Aquarium.Leopards are...
06/19/2025

Our leopard geckos, Mini and Cookie, relaxing yesterday after greeting a houseful of guests at the Aquarium.

Leopards are generally docile a d easy to handle. They are no turnal meaning awake at night! Their hanitat needs to be heated and they eat live insects. Leopards are native to places like Afghanistan, Nepal, and India.

Leopard geckos are one of the most purchased species for "pets". Please know our girls came to us as adoptions from private homes. Team ECCO always encourages researching any animal before getting one to know and understand the level of care and life commitment it requires. The girls love to lounge in their water dish.

Address

Hendersonville, NC

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 12:30pm - 4pm

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Our Story

Living in Western North Carolina, the opportunity to explore marine life from different parts of the ocean is a scarcity. That is why in 2001, Team ECCO was brought to life as a grassroots ocean learning program to reach and teach students of all ages in WNC about the ocean. This first initiative took 40 children and 10 adults on a voyage to discover manatees. Location should not be an excuse for lack of resources and knowledge, so Executive Director, Brenda Ramer decided to take action. In 2007 Team ECCO received full IRS 501 c 3 status. This status gave Team ECCO the official title of non-profit.

Read more about our story on our website