Waikīkī Aquarium is a Honolulu aquarium on the shoreline in Kapiʻolani Park, showcasing marine life from Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific. You can walk there from Waikīkī, then pair a visit with time at Kaimana Beach or a stroll through the park.
- Location: 2777 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.
- From your hotel: About a 15-minute walk from a hotel in Waikīkī.
- Typical hours: Open daily
- Admission: The aquarium’s homepage gives general admission as $12, with discounted rates available.
Walking to the aquarium from Waikīkī
Waikīkī Aquarium is on Kalākaua Avenue beside the shoreline in Kapiʻolani Park. It’s an easy outing on foot from Waikīkī.
The aquarium is within walking distance of Waikīkī Beach, across Kalākaua Avenue from the Kapiʻolani Park Tennis Courts, and near Diamond Head State Monument. If you’re planning more time by the water, the Waikīkī Beach access guide can help you choose a place to head afterward.
You can also reach the aquarium on TheBus routes 14, 19, 20, and 22, or on the Waikīkī Trolley Green Line. Metered street parking is available on the park side of Kalākaua Avenue.
A limited number of free stalls in front of the entrance are reserved for aquarium visitors; on busy days, two-hour parking passes are available at the admission desk.
Tickets, hours, and accessibility
Normal hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with the facility closing at 5:00 p.m. General admission is $12, and discounted rates are available. Check the official site before you go for current hours, admission details, and any changes.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
For a nearby outdoor stop, Kapiʻolani Regional Park surrounds the aquarium. The park’s paths and picnic areas also feature in this guide to Kapiʻolani Regional Park.
Marine life and exhibits to look for
The aquarium showcases more than 500 marine species and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Its exhibits, education programs, and research focus on aquatic life in Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific. 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.
The Amazing Adaptations Gallery spans more than 60 feet of gallery wall and has nine exhibits, with more than 3,000 gallons of water. Look for seahorses, seadragons, and pipefishes. The Living Reef exhibit opened in February 2019.
Other named exhibits include Giant Clams, Coral Farm, Ocean Aquaculture, Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Ocean Drifters, Hawaiian Marine Communities, South Pacific Marine Communities, and The Living Reef.
Adding Kaimana Beach to the outing
Kaimana Beach is a natural shoreline stop to combine with the aquarium, which lies in Kapiʻolani Park by the coast. You can also plan a separate visit to the Honolulu Zoo; its guide to visiting the zoo from Waikīkī covers hours and tickets.
FAQs
What are the Waikīkī Aquarium’s regular hours?
Open daily. Hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
How much are Waikīkī Aquarium tickets?
General admission is $12, with discounted rates available. Confirm current admission information before your visit.
What can you see at the aquarium?
Exhibits focus on Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific, including the Amazing Adaptations Gallery, with seahorses, seadragons, and pipefishes.