All nature & natural history museums and attractions to visit in Hawaii

Hawaii (United States) has a lot to offer for people that like animals, plants and anything else related to nature and its history. Below we list all 31 nature and natural history museums that are located in Hawaii.

Is nature and the natural world something that interests you and are you looking for the best nature museums to visit in Hawaii? These are the ones:

  1. Waikīkī Aquarium1

    Waikīkī Aquarium

     Honolulu, HI
    The Waikiki Aquarium is a marine life facility situated in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It is a prime location for tourists who are interested in marine life and the natural beauty of Hawaii. The aquarium offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse marine life of the Pacific Ocean without having to dive into the deep sea.
  2. Honolulu Zoo2

    Honolulu Zoo

     Honolulu, HI
    The Honolulu Zoo, situated in Queen Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, spans across 42 acres. It is a significant attraction in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide variety of animal species in a spacious and well-maintained environment.
  3. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden3

    Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

     Kaneohe, HI
    The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is a vast 322-hectare (400-acre) botanical garden situated in Kāne'ohe, Oahu, Hawaii. This expansive garden offers a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of plant species in a serene and picturesque setting.
  4. Foster Botanical Garden4

    Foster Botanical Garden

     Honolulu, HI
    Foster Botanical Garden is a 13.5-acre botanical garden located at 50 North Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii. It is one of five public botanical gardens on Oahu and is situated near Chinatown at the intersection of Nu'uanu Avenue and Vineyard Boulevard. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the area.
  5. Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden5

    Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden

     Honolulu, HI
    The Lyon Arboretum, also known as the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, is a sprawling 200-acre arboretum and botanical garden. It is managed by the University of Hawaii in Manoa and is situated in the southeastern part of Oahu Island, Hawaii. This vast expanse of greenery offers a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of plant species in a serene and beautiful environment.
  6. Maui Ocean Center - Aquarium of Hawai'i6

    Maui Ocean Center - Aquarium of Hawai'i

     Maalaea, HI
    The Maui Ocean Center, located in Maalaea, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, is an aquarium and oceanography center. It was opened on March 13, 1998, by Coral World International and spans across 3 acres (1.2 ha). The facility is recognized as the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
  7. Waimea Valley7

    Waimea Valley

     Pupukea, HI
    Waimea Valley, formerly known as the Waimea Valley Audubon Center and also the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden, is a natural park that includes an arboretum and botanical garden. This park is located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, and is a significant area of historical and cultural importance. The valley is an important site in Hawaiian religion and includes several historical structures, including stone terraces and walls built during the Hawaiian monarchy era.
  8. Sea Life Park Hawaii8

    Sea Life Park Hawaii

     Waimanalo,
    Sea Life Park Hawaii, located in Waimānalo near Makapuʻu Point, north of Hanauma Bay on the island of Oahu, is a marine mammal park, bird sanctuary, and aquarium. This unique combination of attractions offers visitors a chance to explore a variety of marine life in one location.
  9. Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo9

    Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo

     Hilo, HI
    The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo, situated in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, is a unique attraction in the United States as it is the only zoo located within a rainforest. Spanning a compact area of 12 acres, this zoo offers a distinctive experience for visitors who are interested in exploring the diverse flora and fauna of a rainforest environment.
  10. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens10

    Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

     Kahului, HI
    The Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is a spacious 7-acre botanical garden situated in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii. It offers a serene environment for visitors to explore and appreciate the diverse flora of the region. The garden is easily accessible and provides a unique opportunity to learn about the native plants of Hawaii.
  11. Pacific Whale Foundation11

    Pacific Whale Foundation

     Maalaea, HI
    The Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) is a non-profit organization established in 1980, located in Maui, Hawaii. The foundation is dedicated to conducting research on whales and educating the public about these magnificent creatures. Their mission is to protect vulnerable species of whales from extinction. As a visitor, you can learn about their ongoing research and conservation efforts.
  12. Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden12

    Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden

     Captain Cook, HI
    The Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is a botanical garden located near Captain Cook, Hawaii in the Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaii. This garden is a significant part of the Hawaiian botanical landscape and offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich flora of the region.
  13. The Pacific Tsunami Museum13

    The Pacific Tsunami Museum

     Hilo, HI
    The Pacific Tsunami Museum, located in Hilo, Hawaii, is a dedicated space for understanding and exploring the history of significant tsunamis, specifically the Pacific tsunami of April 1, 1946, and the Chilean tsunami of May 23, 1960. These catastrophic events had a profound impact on the east coast of the Big Island, particularly Hilo, and the museum serves as a testament to these historical occurrences.
  14. Kahanu Garden14

    Kahanu Garden

     Hana, HI
    Kahanu Garden and Preserve is a botanical garden situated on the Hana Highway near Hana, Maui, Hawaii. It is part of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden, which includes four other gardens. The garden, established in 1972, is nestled on Maui's northern coast, characterized by rugged black lava seascapes and surrounded by one of Hawaii's last undisturbed hala forests.
  15. Koko Crater Botanical Garden15

    Koko Crater Botanical Garden

     Honolulu, HI
    The Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a unique botanical garden that spans 60 acres and is situated within the Koko Crater in East Oahu, Hawaii. This location offers a unique environment for the garden, providing a variety of microclimates that allow for a diverse range of plant life. The garden is a member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International and is recognized by the herbarium code HKC.
  16. Limahuli Garden and Preserve16

    Limahuli Garden and Preserve

     Hanalei, HI
    The Limahuli Garden and Preserve is a significant botanical garden and nature preserve located on the north shore of Kauaʻi island, Hawaiʻi. Spanning 17 acres for the garden and 985 acres for the nature preserve, it offers a vast area for exploration and appreciation of nature's beauty.
  17. McBryde Garden17

    McBryde Garden

     Koloa, HI
    McBryde Garden is a vast botanical garden that spans 252 acres. It is situated on the south coast of Kauai island, which is part of the Hawaii archipelago. This location offers a unique tropical environment that is ideal for the growth and study of a wide variety of plant species.
  18. Wahiawa Botanical Garden18

    Wahiawa Botanical Garden

     Wahiawa, HI
    The Wahiawa Botanical Garden is a sprawling 27-acre arboretum and botanical garden situated in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. This expansive garden is home to a diverse range of plant species, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore and learn about the rich botanical diversity of the region.
  19. Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden19

    Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden

     Honolulu, HI
    The Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden is a botanical garden that spans 3.5 hectares (7.5 acres) and is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a part of the Honolulu Botanic System and is one of five botanical gardens in the system. The garden is dedicated to Queen Lydia Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands, who was greatly loved by her subjects.
  20. Hui o Laka - Kokee State Park20

    Hui o Laka - Kokee State Park

     Waimea, HI
    The Kōkeʻe Museum, located at the 15-mile marker on State Road 550 within the park, offers insights into the local weather, vegetation, and bird life. This museum provides a comprehensive understanding of the park's natural environment.
  21. Lyman Museum and Mission House21

    Lyman Museum and Mission House

     Hilo, HI
    The Lyman House Memorial Museum, also known as the Lyman Museum and Lyman House, is a natural history museum based in Hilo, Hawaii. It was founded in 1931 in the Lyman family mission house, which was originally built in 1838. This makes it a significant historical site, as well as a place of interest for those keen on natural history.
  22. Botanical World Adventures22

    Botanical World Adventures

     Hakalau, HI
    The World Botanical Gardens and Umauma Falls is a private commercial botanical garden that spans 1.2 km² (300 acres). It is located in Umauma, on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. The garden is situated about 3 km from Highway 19, north of Hilo. It is a place where visitors can explore a wide variety of plant species in a beautiful and serene setting.
  23. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden23

    Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

     Papaikou, HI
    The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve that spans 17 acres. It is located in Pāpa'ikou, Hawaii, and is a place where nature lovers can explore a diverse range of plant species in a serene and beautiful environment.
  24. Kula Botanical Garden24

    Kula Botanical Garden

     Kula, HI
    The Kula Botanical Garden is a 6-acre botanical garden situated in the southeastern part of Maui, Hawaii. It is nestled at 3300 feet on the spectacular slopes of Haleakala, making it an ideal location for cultivating tropical plants that thrive at high altitudes and require a cool temperature. The garden is easily accessible via the Kekaulike Highway (Highway 377) near the Kula Highway (Highway 37) junction.
  25. Kapiʻolani Community College Cactus Garden25

    Kapiʻolani Community College Cactus Garden

     Honolulu, HI
    The Kapiʻolani Community College Cactus Garden is a unique botanical garden that specializes in cacti. This small garden offers a variety of cacti species for visitors to explore and learn about. It's a great place for those who are interested in botany, particularly in cacti, or for those who simply enjoy the beauty of nature.
  26. 26

    Spirit of Aloha Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

     Haiku, HI
    The Spirit of Aloha Oceanfront Botanical Gardens, also known as The Gardens, is a significant nature preserve located in Haiku, Hawaii on the island of Maui. This 11-acre property offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity of the region, with its location providing stunning views of Ua'oa Bay in the Pacific Ocean and Papanui o Kane Hawaiian island.
  27. 27

    Lanai Culture & Heritage Center

     Lanai City, HI
    Remarkable museum which presents Lanai's natural history, Hawaiian traditions and the history of plantations. Plenty of ancient artifacts!
  28. 28

    University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens

     Hilo, HI
    The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden and university palmetum situated on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi in Hilo, Hawaii. This garden, spanning 33 acres, is a part of the university's campus and serves as a living laboratory for various faculties, including the Faculty of Pharmacy.
  29. 29

    Museum of Natural History

     Laie, HI
  30. 30

    Kahua Kuou (Ho'omaluhia) Campsite

     Kaneohe, HI
  31. 31

    Kahua Nui-Makai (Ho'omaluhia)

     Kaneohe, HI