Sea Life Park Hawaii — Attraction in Oʻahu

I am of 2 minds. On the one hand, the park is good for kids. Not very big but still adventure. Sea habitats, close encounter (such as feeding birds and fish, if paid separately, dolfins) and even good playground. On the other, too far from most popular Waikiki and poorly organized transfer. We booked the trip the same day, just one hour before bus pick up time. It saved us $5 on tickets ($39 for adult). Plus $25 for pick up. Only 1 time available around 9am. And mentally I was prepared for issues. First of all, the Sheraton Aloha landing pick up is right under the Aloha landing sign. Secondly, you may easily miss the bus, since it has NO ANY SIGNS of belonging to the park transfer. Even no paper under the windshield. Since I expected something could not work I asked couple buses and was surprised that one of them was actually ours. The driver obviously didn't find us in his list and was forced to call dispatcher to confirm our names and existing confirmation code (saved on phone). But finally we successfuly boarded with infant and foldable umbrella stroller which is luckily fit under seats. So no big strollers for pick up option. Riding a bus there were plenty of scenic views around. Be ready to make some pictures if you are not going to drive around by yourself. Upon arriving somwhere around 10 min before opening there was 1 line either for walk ins or prepaid tickets and actually both windows worked for all. But it seems like walk ins line would be much shorter. Infants up to 2 years are free, tickets (and bracelets) for 3 and up. If just walk around not following their shows and activities schedule, I believe it takes about couple hours to chase around. Including feeding birds and fish couple times, and playground time. Back transfer is also available only at 2pm. Since my 2yo still sleeps after lunch I decided to take Lyft instead. It cost me about $40 one way. And it means I still saved some $ booking pick up transfer from Waikiki. At least for 1 way. But in other obstacles, I'd probably seriously think about renting a car, at least for this day. It could be much cheaper, gave me more freedom either for time or for stopping anywhere any time. So gave 4 stars for not considering toddler needs...

*UPDATE: The park itself is small and can be done in 2 hours, HOWEVER!!! I highly recommend the Royal Dolphin Swim!!! Kids between 8-12 have to have an adult in the water with them, so you have to pay for a child and adult. TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY! We did almost everything the trainers get to do. We did the belly swim, the dolphins push your feet and you fly thru the water etc etc. The trainer Maria was amazing and so nice. A max of 8 people in the group and 2 dolphins. We got to kiss and rub the back and belly of the dolphin. I felt like a kid again and highly recommend this event. We added the sea lion swim but it was canceled the day of. Animals are unpredictable and I never found out why so I was not mad. A bit disappointed bc we were excited about that too but we understand. They offered a reschedule or refund for the sea lion swim.

3 stars because, the dolphin show is only half covered seating, super hot and miserable waiting in the sun for the show, we didn’t even stay for the whole show bc it was a slow moving show and miserably hot, but the dolphins did tricks we’ve never seen before. You can pay extra for swimming with the dolphins. They also allow strollers to park inside the stadium for the dolphin show which blocks some views from the upper level, they really need stroller parking instead of letting them in. The sea lion show was definitely worth it! Every now and then they have Keiki day so kids are free with paying adult, they have vendors and crafts set up all over. Inexpensive annual pass but that’s bc it’s a small facility. They really need a splash pad so the kids can cool off. They have a good size playground area for kids but a splash pad would make it worth it for an annual pass. You can feed the seat turtles too but do it early bc they stop selling food after a while. They have a really cool bird enclosure as well, the birds can get overwhelmed and fly away but if you sit still near the fence they will come to you. They have a hands on pond where you can touch a starfish and baby sea turtle, under supervision of course), that’s the one and only time you will be able to touch sea life like that, illegal in the wild. The shark feeding is worth...

Family and I went on March 3rd for free kids day. I thought since my girls were free we would pay to do a dolphin encounter. We were all so excited! Just my husband and 6 year old daughter did it. We were told to check in by 2:15pm and the trainers will come pick us up by 2:30pm. Well after 2:30pm no trainers but the photographer came and walked us (group of 6) all down to the pool with the dolphins. He talked to us and went over a few of the rules and what to do in the water. It's now after 3:00 and the trainers come walking in having their own conversation, laughing standing by the gate just chatting it up while we are all still sitting there wondering what's going on. Finally the group is told to get in the water and sit on the wall. When the trainer finally joins the group there was NO apology, no explanation on why she was more than 30 minutes late, just starts ordering the group on where to stand and starts rushing through the whole experience! My husband almost didn't get his one on one time with the dolphin but I spoke up and the trainer just looked at me then asked has everyone taken their picture with the dolphin? Anyways, the whole thing was not as fun or exciting as we thought it would be. Since they we're late it got darker and colder also. I was told when purchasing the tickets that we would have at least 45 mins in the water with the dolphins, it wasn't even 30mins! Then when everyone gets out of the water the park doesn't provide towels for you! Luckily we brought our own. Also the trainer blocked off a section so I couldn't stand in a spot where I could get a good picture of my husband and daughter kissing the dolphin. The photographer's picture coast $40.00 each! With no family bundle or discounts. Will not be giving any more money to support this park again. Do yourself a favor and use your money on a real dolphin experience in the ocean! One stars because my daughter had more fun at the play ground and seeing the giant aquarium...