Right off the bat, let’s get it straight – The Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu is not Fishtanbul or even The Oregon Coast Aquarium – it’s not Monterey or the San Francisco Aquarium. It’s small, it’s a little bit dated, and it’s a great way to pass an hour or two when the weather isn’t great or you just want to escape from the beaches and the shops in Waikiki. A combo trip to the Honolulu Zoo on the same day works really well.
The Waikiki Aquarium is open from 9am to 5pm daily and adult admission is $12. It’s located at 2777 Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki. Just get on the road next to the beach and walk towards Diamond Head. Walk past the zoo, past the bandstand, past the statue of Queen Kapiolani and then you will see it on the water side (makai side).
My favorite exhibits are the sea horses and sea dragons and also the jellyfish but there are good exhibits about aquaculture, coral reefs, corals, clams, and even Hawaiian Monk Seals. The kids always love the touch parts where they can hold a hermit crab or touch a sea anenome. The sustainable fish farming exhibit is pretty awesome and if you are just looking for a break from the beach, there are plenty of places to set up with a laptop and enjoy the free wifi. Enjoy the Waikiki Aquarium!