Waikīkī Aquarium is a marine-life attraction on the shoreline in Kapiʻolani Park, Honolulu. Its exhibits, education programs and research focus on aquatic life in Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific, making it a practical stop for learning about the region’s marine species.
- Location: 2777 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Usual hours: Open daily
- Admission: General admission is $12; discounted rates are available.
- Getting there: TheBus routes 14, 19, 20 and 22, plus the Waikīkī Trolley Green Line, serve the aquarium.
Where is Waikīkī Aquarium?
Waikīkī Aquarium is at 2777 Kalākaua Avenue, on the shoreline within Kapiʻolani Park. Founded in 1904, it has been administered by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa since 1919. The aquarium describes itself as the second-oldest in the United States.
Its setting puts the aquarium close to Waikīkī Beach and near Diamond Head State Monument. Across Kalākaua Avenue are the Kapiʻolani Park Tennis Courts, so the shoreline and park are easy to combine with a visit.
What can you see at Waikīkī Aquarium?
The aquarium showcases more than 500 marine species and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens, with exhibits covering habitats and species from Hawaiʻi and the wider tropical Pacific.
The Amazing Adaptations Gallery has nine exhibits along more than 60 feet of gallery wall and uses more than 3,000 gallons of water. Look for seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes among its featured marine life.
Another feature is The Edge of the Reef, an outdoor exhibit with 7,500 gallons of water that recreates habitats along a Hawaiian rocky shoreline. The aquarium’s exhibits also include coral, giant clams, ocean aquaculture, Hawaiian monk seals and marine communities from Hawaiʻi and the South Pacific.
What are Waikīkī Aquarium’s hours and ticket prices?
The aquarium’s normal operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, and the facility closes at 5:00 p.m. Hours and admission details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
General admission is $12. Local residents and active-duty military with ID pay $8, while seniors and children ages 4–12 pay $5. Children age 3 and under and Friends of Waikīkī Aquarium members enter free.
How do you get to Waikīkī Aquarium from Waikīkī?
You can reach the aquarium by TheBus routes 14, 19, 20 and 22, or by the Waikīkī Trolley Green Line. The aquarium is within walking distance of Waikīkī Beach, and it takes about 22 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car to reach it from Kuhio Banyan Hotel.
If you drive, metered street parking is available on the park side of Kalākaua Avenue. A very limited number of free stalls in front of the entrance are reserved for aquarium visitors. On busy days, you can ask about two-hour parking passes at the admission desk.
What can you combine with an aquarium visit?
Pair the aquarium with time along Waikīkī Beach or a walk through Kapiʻolani Park. The park’s tennis courts are across Kalākaua Avenue, while Diamond Head State Monument is also nearby. For another animal-focused stop, the Honolulu Zoo from Waikīkī makes a natural companion to the aquarium.
The aquarium’s location in Kapiʻolani Park can fit into a broader one-day Waikīkī route.
FAQs
How long should you allow for Waikīkī Aquarium?
The aquarium’s exhibits cover more than 500 marine species, including seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes.
Is Waikīkī Aquarium close to Waikīkī Beach?
Yes. The aquarium is within walking distance of Waikīkī Beach and sits on the shoreline in Kapiʻolani Park.
Can you take the bus to Waikīkī Aquarium?
Yes. TheBus routes 14, 19, 20 and 22 serve the aquarium, as does the Waikīkī Trolley Green Line.