Hawaiian monk seals
Meet rescued seals that cannot return to the wild and learn why this native species needs careful protection.
Hawaiian marine life at the water's edge
Waikiki Aquarium
Meet monk seals, giant clams, living corals, and reef fish in a compact shoreline aquarium with a century of Hawaiian marine research behind it.
Entry 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Adults $12Allow 1.5 to 2 hoursWalkable from Waikiki
Small, focused, memorable
A living reef beside Waikiki
Waikīkī Aquarium is a calm, approachable introduction to Hawaiʻi's marine world. Its tanks focus on Pacific habitats, unusual reef animals, coral conservation, and the species that make the islands' ocean ecosystem distinct.
The aquarium sits directly on the shoreline across from Kapiʻolani Park, close enough to combine with a beach walk, picnic, or zoo visit. Indoors, galleries move from tiny seahorses to large reef displays. Outside, the Hawaiian monk seal habitat is a first-visit priority.
This is not a giant entertainment complex. Its strength is thoughtful interpretation, living coral, and a manageable scale that works especially well for families, curious adults, and visitors fitting a meaningful stop into a Waikiki day.
Simple walk-up admission
Buy tickets when you arrive
The aquarium currently sells admission at the front desk. Paid admission includes access to a free mobile audio guide, so bring a charged phone and headphones if you want the extra interpretation.
Official admissionRates, hours, and closures can change. Confirm the official visitor page before traveling.
General admission$12
Children age 4 to 12$5
Age 3 and underFree
Seniors age 65+$5
First-visit priorities
What to see
Six exhibits give the aquarium a clear route from Hawaiian wildlife to coral science and the wider Pacific.
The Living Reef
Follow coral communities from shallow water to deeper reef zones while watching fish move through changing habitats.
Giant clams
See vividly colored living clams and discover the close relationship between sunlight, algae, and reef life.
Coral Farm
Learn how aquarium specialists cultivate coral for research, conservation, and responsible exchange with other institutions.
Amazing Adaptations
Look closely for seahorses, seadragons, and pipefish whose body shapes make camouflage an art form.
South Pacific communities
A large barrier reef habitat gathers live coral, giant clams, and more than one hundred fish species.
Why it stands out
Small aquarium, strong focus
The collection is shaped by place. Waikīkī Aquarium is known for living coral, reef organisms, and the science of sustaining delicate marine communities. The result feels closer to a marine field station than a theme park.
Watch before readingGive your eyes a moment to adjust at each tank. Camouflaged fish and invertebrates reveal themselves slowly.
Use the audio guideThe included mobile guide adds useful context without forcing the visit into a fixed group schedule.
Save time for the outdoor habitatThe monk seals are a major highlight, but activity and visibility always depend on the animals.
Look closer
Three aquarium signatures
Native ambassador
Monk seal habitat
A rare opportunity to see a Hawaiian monk seal while learning how rescue and long-term care support the species.
Living color
Giant clams
Brilliant mantle patterns make these reef giants some of the collection's most photogenic residents.
Coral science
Reef builders
Living coral turns conservation research into something visible, detailed, and immediately understandable.
A relaxed two-hour route
Make the visit flow
Start with the indoor galleries, slow down for the major reef tanks, then finish outside before continuing along the shoreline.
First 30
Adaptations and living reef
Begin with the smaller animals, then follow the reef displays from shallow water into deeper communities.
Next 45
Clams, coral, and Pacific habitats
Spend the middle of the visit with the aquarium's strongest coral and biodiversity exhibits.
Final 30
Monk seals and shoreline
Finish at the outdoor habitat, then step outside for the oceanfront walk toward Kaimana Beach or Waikiki.
Practical visitor guide
Plan the details
At a glance
- Entry hoursDaily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Facility closes5 p.m.
- Address2777 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Typical visitAbout 90 minutes to two hours
- TicketsPurchase at the front desk on arrival
- Audio guideIncluded with paid admission on your mobile device
Know before you go
Check for special closures: The aquarium is normally open daily, but it closes on Christmas Day and Honolulu Marathon Day and may use shortened holiday hours.
Bring headphonesThe mobile audio guide is more useful when each person can listen comfortably without using a speaker.
Choose a cooler hourThe galleries are manageable at any time, but walking to and from the aquarium is more pleasant earlier in the day.
Pair it thoughtfullyKapiʻolani Park and the nearby shoreline fit naturally. Adding the zoo works best for families comfortable with a full activity day.
Exact location
Waikīkī Aquarium on Google Maps
Waikīkī Aquarium
2777 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815. The entrance faces the oceanfront boulevard across from Kapiʻolani Park.
An easy Waikiki outing
Follow Kalākaua Avenue toward Kapiʻolani Park. The aquarium is near the quieter Diamond Head end of the shoreline.
Simple without a car
Public buses run along nearby streets, while rideshare drop-off avoids the uncertainty of finding a parking space.
Allow time for parking
Street and public parking in this part of Waikiki can fill quickly. Read posted signs and do not rely on immediate availability.
More than a century by the sea
A small institution with a long reach
Founded in 1904, Waikīkī Aquarium is the second-oldest public aquarium in the United States. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has administered it since 1919.
Its shoreline location beside a living reef has shaped a deep focus on tropical Pacific marine life. The aquarium now cares for more than 3,500 organisms representing over 500 species, while its coral work supports research and aquariums far beyond Hawaiʻi.
Founded1904
Administered by UHSince 1919
Collection500+ marine species
SettingBeside a living reef
Quick answers
Waikīkī Aquarium FAQ
Is Waikīkī Aquarium worth visiting?
Yes if you value Hawaiian marine life, living coral, conservation, and a calm experience that fits easily into a Waikiki day. Visitors expecting a huge all-day aquarium should know that this is a compact, education-focused institution.
How long do I need?
About 90 minutes is enough for a comfortable first visit. Allow two hours if you like reading interpretation, using the audio guide, or watching the reef tanks slowly.
Do I need advance tickets?
The official admission page currently directs visitors to buy tickets at the front desk when they arrive. Check the official site before visiting in case the process changes.
Is it good for young children?
Yes. The compact layout, colorful tanks, small-animal exhibits, and monk seal habitat work well for families. Strollers and excited viewing areas can feel busier at peak times.
Can I walk there from Waikiki?
Yes. It is on Kalākaua Avenue at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, across from Kapiʻolani Park. The walk is especially pleasant when paired with the shoreline.
What should I combine with the aquarium?
Kapiʻolani Park, Kaimana Beach, and a coastal walk are the easiest pairings. Honolulu Zoo is nearby but turns the day into a longer family itinerary.
Visitor details were checked against the official hours page, admission page, exhibit guide, and institution overview. Photo licenses and attribution details are included in the source package.