Waikiki Aquarium

Waikiki Aquarium: A Mix of Old Charm and Marine Wonders The Waikiki Aquarium offers a fascinating glimpse into Hawaii's marine life, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. Parking is limited, though weekdays offer a better chance of snagging a spot. The outdoor exhibits are currently under renovation, which is a bummer, but the indoor displays are where the aquarium truly shines. The jellyfish are mesmerizing, and the grouper is a definite highlight. You'll also find plenty of other cool creatures to admire. The seahorses were especially amazing! However, the aquarium's age shows in some areas. Some of the signage and stickers feel a bit outdated. Still, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to see some amazing marine animals, and at a relatively cheap price, the Waikiki Aquarium is worth a visit.

A pretty nice aquarium, but only the indoor parts of it were open. The monk seal was away on loan and other outdoor exhibits were under renovation. We liked the indoor exhibits though! Some of the tanks were a little cloudy and we noticed that the signage didn’t always match the fish that were actually in the tank. At one point a staff member came out and shared some fun facts about the sharks and large fish that were in the big tank, which we would’ve liked more of. Overall a pretty enjoyable visit but we wished there was more to see when we were being charged full price admission.

The Waikiki Aquarium offers a glimpse into the marine life of Hawaii, but it may feel underwhelming for seasoned aquarium enthusiasts. Having visited several aquariums globally, I found this one rather small in comparison. During my visit, the outdoor exhibits were unfortunately under renovation and inaccessible, which limited the experience. However, the sea dragons and jellyfish tanks stood out as exceptional highlights. Both exhibits showcased the delicate beauty and mesmerizing nature of these creatures, making the visit worthwhile. The aquarium seems particularly tailored to children, with its approachable size and engaging displays suited for younger audiences. One notable positive was the friendly staff, who were welcoming and helpful throughout the visit. For families with children or those with a casual interest in marine life, the Waikiki Aquarium may be a charming destination. For others seeking a more expansive or immersive experience, this might not be the ideal choice—especially if you have the opportunity to go snorkeling.

Small but charming and, as usual with aquariums, you can count on the critters to be active! Everything was clean and there were only 1-2 unavailable exhibits. The signage on different animals and fun facts varies by tank, but it would have been helpful to have a few more. There were 2 spots with workers/volunteers: one with a children's activity and one near the shark/grouper tank. It was great to hear from them and I wish we had used the audio tour because of it.

The parts of the aquarium that are open are good. However, the monk seal and other outdoor exhibits were closed. A couple of aquarium volunteers were available to help explain the exhibits and answer questions. I was disappointed that there was no explanation of the exhibits' closure, but I just considered it a donation.

Fun little aquarium for a quick visit. The phone narration for the displays were nice. Looked like they had good activities for the kids. It is small and the monk seal exhibit is closed for some time, but it's still worth a visit. We enjoyed it.

The aquarium is surprisingly affordable. It cost $29 for two adults and a 4 year old. It is small but mighty. There are washrooms located outside by the outdoor exhibits and water fountain. There is a gift shop too! We went on a Tuesday morning and it wasn't too busy.

From moment I entered I was greated with such welcoming hospitality! I was offered a local or military discount even though entrance was less than $10 and included free parking ( extremely generous for an expensive city!!) the volunteer staff was super helpful and informative. I loved how much everyone there seemed to love their job even the sweet maintenance guy ( so wish I remembered his name because we had excellent discussion about conservation efforts!) So important to spread knowledge and love of the aina the land and 🌊 ocean!! I regret not visiting sooner when I was raising my 2 young boys in Honolulu.. We always went to zoo but never too time to visit the awesome aquarium ( I actually thought it was going to be too expensive on a military salary!) I have to give so much credit to the management I met when I was at gift shop and one can definitely feel his pride and care of the wonderful establishment and why I am giving 5 stars plus. I have membership at Maui Aquarium but enjoyed the hospitality and volunteer staff at Waikiki. Mahalo!!!