 The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center ( formerly the Virginia Marine Science Museum ) is a popular aquarium near the oceanfront that features the 300 @,@ 000 @-@ gallon Norfolk Canyon Aquarium , containing sand tiger , nurse and brown sharks , as well as sting rays and other large open @-@ ocean dwellers . There is also a 70 @,@ 000 @-@ gallon sea turtle aquarium , sea turtle hatchling laboratory , hands @-@ on ocean exploration exhibits , jellyfish and octopus aquariums , and even a life @-@ size model of a humpback whale . Other features include the Owls Creek salt marsh and a nature trail . 
