Located on the Waikiki shoreline adjacent to Kapiolani Park and Kaimana Beach, between Honolulu Zoo and Diamond Head State Monument, Waikiki Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums still in business today. Here you’ll find over a dozen distinctive exhibits and galleries devoted to presenting and preserving the diverse species of the tropical Pacific Ocean in an approachable setting. From rare corals to exotic jellyfish, monk seals to zebra sharks, the Waikiki Aquarium is home to a fine selection of sea creatures. It also contains, throughout its beautiful grounds, dozens of examples of Hawaiian plant life.
Waikiki Aquarium History and Background
With a history that dates back to the spring of 1904, Waikiki Aquarium is considered the second-oldest public aquarium found anywhere in the United States, ranking behind only Coney Island’s New York Aquarium. Founded via a donation from a local transit company, the attraction was originally known as Honolulu Aquarium. Its original director, Frederick A. Potter, had no background in the marine sciences; still, he would run the aquarium until 1940, when Spencer Tinker, a member of the University of Hawaii’s Zoology Department took over. This would mark the aquarium’s transition to an affiliation with the academic institution and its marine biology research facilities; Tinker’s tenure would also see the construction, in 1955, of the building that the aquarium occupies to this very day.
The Waikiki Aquarium has been renovated multiple times since then, and its educational mission, research capabilities, and community outreach programs have grown immensely over the years. It continues to adapt and evolve, with new exhibits opening periodically, even as it has recently celebrated its 120th year of operations.
What’s at the Waikiki Aquarium
Waikiki Aquarium features over a dozen fascinating exhibits. These specially designed habitats include the Hunters on the Reef exhibit, where you’ll find zebra sharks and giant groupers; the Ocean Drifters gallery, which is home to a seasonally curated selection of jellyfish; and the Edge of the Reef installation, a 7,500-gallon outdoor space full of colorful fish, coral, and urchins of the sort you might find living in the waters along Hawaii’s rocky coastline—it’s the aquarium’s longest-running exhibit and a real landmark of the attraction.
The Hawaiian monk seal exhibit (currently closed) is another perennial favorite of visitors. An endangered seal found only throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiian monk seal is most active during the morning hours. The Coral and Clam Farms are where you’ll encounter striking coral colonies and colorful aquacultural clams. The Living Reef is one of the aquarium’s newer galleries; it’s home to some unforgettable examples of the diverse corals that populate the Pacific Ocean.
No visit to Waikiki Aquarium is complete without making time to walk its scenic grounds. Beautifully situated along the shore, Waikiki Aquarium’s memorable landscape includes screw pines, fan palms, and canoe plants, as well as flowering trees, shrubs, and vines like the red and yellow ohia, the beach vitex, and the beach morning glory. A paper copy of the aquarium’s plant guide, which details some 67 plant species found on the site, can be picked up at the Waikiki Aquarium’s Volunteer Office.
The Waikiki Aquarium gift shop is a terrific spot to pick up a memento of your visit or an Oahu-themed souvenir. There you’ll find a nice selection of toys, books, art, houseware items, apparel, and more. They even sell an assortment of Hawaii-made jewelry, with proceeds going to support the Aquarium’s research programs.
Tips for Visiting the Waikiki Aquarium
*Given its prominent location, there are numerous low-hassle means for getting to Waikiki Aquarium. The aquarium is serviced by multiple local bus routes, as well as the Waikiki Trolley (it’s Stop #4 on the Blue Line route). Metered street parking is available on the side of Kalākaua Avenue directly adjacent to Kapiolani Park, while a limited number of free parking spots are available directly in front of the aquarium itself.
*Visitors looking to get even more out of their visit will want to make use of the Waikiki Aquarium audio guide. This handy resource is free and can be accessed online straight from your smartphone; it provides useful information about the attraction’s exhibits in a wide range of languages. A similar complimentary audio guide that provides details about the abundant plant life on display throughout the aquarium is available, too.
*Throughout the year, Waikiki Aquarium hosts a number of special events, family activities, and educational classes—as well as periodic behind-the-scenes guided tours. For more information on any of these possible Waikiki Aquarium experiences, visit the attraction’s official website for more information.
*While Waikiki Aquarium doesn’t feature an in-house dining option, there are plenty of well-regarded restaurants located nearby; there are also several great spots within walking distance of the attraction where you can throw yourself a picnic lunch.
