Waikīkī Aquarium

No reservation is needed: buy tickets at the door or online. The Waikīkī Aquarium, run by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building closes at 5 p.m.) on the ocean side of Kapiʻolani Park. Adults $12, kamaʻāina and seniors $8, keiki 4 to 12 $5, ages 3 and under free.

• Reservations: not required for general admission. Buy tickets at the door or at waikikiaquarium.org. Popular summer concerts (Ke Kani O Ke Kai) do sell out, so book those early.
• Hours: daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. last entry; closes 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and Honolulu Marathon day in December; shorter hours on Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
• Admission: adults $12; kamaʻāina (Hawaiʻi ID) and seniors 65+ $8; visitors with disabilities $5; children 4 to 12 $5; 3 and under free.
• Address: 2777 Kalākaua Avenue, at the Diamond Head end of Waikīkī, about a 10 to 15 minute walk from most Waikīkī hotels.
• Parking: metered street parking along Kalākaua and in Kapiʻolani Park fills on nice days; the Waikīkī Shell lot on Monsarrat Avenue is a short walk. TheBus and Biki bikes stop nearby.
• See: reef sharks, giant clams, jellyfish, sea dragons, an octopus and chambered nautilus, the outdoor Edge of the Reef exhibit, and a Hawaiian monk seal habitat. Plan about 1 to 2 hours.
• History: opened in 1904 and run by the University of Hawaiʻi since 1919, it's one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States.

Source: Wanderlustyle: Waikīkī Aquarium guide (updated Aug. 9, 2026)

Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.