Discover a newfound appreciation for Hawaiian wildlife and marine creatures at Sea Life Park Hawaii in Oahu. This legendary marine mammal park, aquarium, and bird sanctuary are one of Oahu’s biggest attractions. Situated in picturesque Waimanalo, north of Hanauma Bay near Makapuu Point.
The beautiful drive up to Sea Life gives you unbeatable views, but just wait until you get inside the park. There’s truly so much to see and do, with wildlife encounters and family activities people of all ages can enjoy.
The most popular activity at Sea Life is swimming with dolphins! Dolphin Exploration is a hands-on adventure where you can float alongside these stunning animals in deep water. Not only do you get to interact with friendly dolphins, but you also learn from highly knowledgeable trainers about dolphin habitats and conservation efforts.
If getting in the water to swim and snap pics with dolphins isn’t quite your style, try the Dolphin Encounter for waist-deep interaction. Additionally, Dolphin Aloha allows you to touch and feed dolphins without getting wet.
Sea Life’s Sea Lion Encounter is another popular choice for visitors who can get up close to super cute and slippery friends. This group interaction involves feeding, touching, and playing with a California sea lion.
We also love the Hawaiian Reef Encounter. You can snorkel with native fish and rays in a safe, beautiful environment. Keep in mind that all of these animal encounters include park admission. So you can spend the whole day in Oahu exploring the sights and sounds of Sea Life.
While animal encounters cost extra, you can make your trip to Sea Life more affordable by sticking to general admission. There’s still plenty to do with various habitats and exhibits offering an up-close look at sharks, sea birds, sea lions, penguins, fish, sea stars, urchins, dolphins, and monk seals.
If you’re bringing little ones with you, don’t forget to check out Sea Life’s Adventure Kids Play Zone. Canopy trees provide shade from the sun while kids climb and slide on exciting play structures.
We also recommend Kau Kau Kitchen or Longboard Lounge in Beachboy Lanai for fresh local cuisine. Garlic shrimp, Kalua pork, and Kalbi short ribs are a few must-try items on the menu. Tiki Treats and Pink’s Hot Dogs are big hits with Sea Life visitors, too.
Before you go, make sure to stop by the Conservation Center. Check out rotating exhibits and learn more about ocean sustainability. Sea Life has three dedicated conservation programs for green sea turtles, native sea birds, and Hawaiian monk seals.
Finally, it isn’t a trip to Hawaii without at least one luau. Sea Life lets you cross both animal encounters and a luau off your bucket list on the same day. Aloha Kai Luau is an award-winning event featuring an authentic imu ceremony with a slow-roasted whole pig. The pig is cooked underground and then served at the buffet. Tasty vegetarian and vegan meals are available as well.
Hawaiian culture is on full display at the luau, with fun family activities like Ulu Maika lawn bowling and net throwing. This is also your chance to take hula lessons and embrace Polynesian culture with a stunning ocean backdrop to top it all off. Just remember to take some photos as the sun goes down!
So, whether you go for the animals, the luau, or both, you’re sure to have a memorable time getting to learn more about Hawaiian wildlife and culture at Sea Life Park Hawaii.
Insider Tips:
-As of August 2022, Sea Life Park Hawaii has gone cashless.
-Debit/credit cards and mobile payments such as Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted around the park. Or you can use one of their free Cash to Card Kiosks.