Honolulu Zoo image

Honolulu Zoo

Tourist attraction Zoo

One of the Most Revieweds in Honolulu


Address

151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

Website

www.honolulu.gov

Contact

(808) 926-3191

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (8.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 3 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: animals (65) kids (20) nice (20) exhibits (20) time (18) great (17) visit (16) children (13) experience (13) small (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 sam b. 1 year ago on Google
    Parking at the zoo fills out quickly so Prepare to park further from the zoo. Parking fee was less than $10 bucks for 4 hours so bare that in mind. Kids will definitely enjoy themselves at the park after your tour at the zoo. Comfortable shoes and loose clothes are encouraged since it's usually hot and long walking.
    14 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kimberly v. 2 years ago on Google
    Really cute zoo, it's small compared to others but very well kept. Everything was clean and well decorated. The weather was perfect in the day we went 02/12/2022. After all we are in Hawaii but the weather was cool and there was a great breeze. The animals are all so beautiful and there's a great playground at the end for the kids to run around the last bit of energy. The petting zoo is cute as well but there wasn't much to do as covid has kind of out a damper in things. All in all a wonderful place to take your kids ❣️
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pamela B. 1 year ago on Google
    I have never seen a prettier zoo in my life. We bought tickets in advanced due to covid but I don’t think you have too. The animals are in an open area. Not cages everywhere. A beautiful park rest in the middle of it. If I was a local I would take my kid here all the time. I’m so surprised to see so much preserved nature in such a busy place. Worth checking out. 100.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joseph S. 1 month ago on Google • 624 reviews New
    The line was a bit long when we first arrived. The line went smoothly and quickly. We visited with family with small children, so we spent most of the morning at the playground and the kids' zoo. We ate lunch at about noon. After we ate lunch, we proceeded through the zoo. Unfortunately, the animals were seeking refuge in the shade, and we didn't get to see a lot of them.

  • 5/5 Robert A. 4 months ago on Google • 409 reviews
    Great place to see animals and go for a walk. The Volunteers and park staff were very knowledgeable and friendly. They were at different displays and provided very useful information regarding the animals. We got to pet goats and they were very friendly. This is a great family activity for anybody to do. There is also an awesome gift store that has plenty of animals stuffed and photos, for kids.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sam K. 2 years ago on Google
    Can’t say this is our typical choice attraction when visiting a new city but it was close by and my husband really wanted to go. We spent just under 2 hours walking around and we had a great time. Lots to see and learn, great way to enjoy an early morning or afternoon. Zoo was clean and well kept. Staff were very friendly.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Deborah B. 4 months ago on Google • 106 reviews
    It was a nice little zoo. We visited with our son, his wife and two children. We missed the petting Zoo as it was only open from 10am to 11;30am. It was fun and the children (6 and 9) enjoyed it. There were some animals that we did not see as they were hiding when we arrived. Some exhibits were closed for refurbishment. Overall it was nice.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nolen V. 2 years ago on Google
    Best zoo I’ve ever been to! The animals looked happy and healthy. Their enclosures were large and natural looking. They all seemed to have food, water, and toys. It was also clean and beautiful through out the whole place. Saw some animals I’ve never seen before. Good price too!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ninja V. 9 months ago on Google
    Nice Zoo and good experience! Fairly priced and fun family all around! Had some nice exhibits and cool places just to chill. They have a restaurant on property and gift shop at entrance. Helpful areas for info and staff answered all questions! Worth the visit and the area outside has cool photo ops and places to chill!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keith L. 2 years ago on Google
    The zoo is so much bigger than the initial look. We spent almost 3 hours in it observing the animals. The various different animals were nice to see. The only downside is that due to COVID, there were several spots that were no longer accessible. Plus it looked like there was several spots where they were upgrading and revamping the enclosures. But all in all, so very worth checking out. Park was beautiful and clean.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris 2 years ago on Google
    We’re very much enjoyed the zoo here. We went there through the week shortly after it opened, and it wasn’t overly crowded. They have plenty of exhibits to enjoy. The Hawaiian beauty that surrounds the zoo makes the experience that much more enjoyable. As a family of four, we saved $40 with a military discount. Thank you!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John A. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a great little Zoo if your looking to due some non beach activities with the kiddos. The 5th star if pretty much because this is the 1st zoo I've ever been to that doesn't smell like a zoo and its impressive. There's plenty to look and see...the animals all seem to be very well cared for and a staff who loves what they do. Great little side adventure in Hawaii.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Andrew M. 4 months ago on Google • 341 reviews
    We had been to this zoo years ago and remembered having a better experience. When we went recently, there were definitely fewer animals. Overall, it was still enjoyable for a small zoo.

  • 4/5 K L. 1 year ago on Google
    Some areas are under renovation and there were a lot of animals that were not visible as most were hiding, resting or simply not there. If I could compare this visit from our last visit of 10 years ago, I would say I was a bit let down from this visit. The once clean and lovely place where the flamingos are at the entrance is no longer a sight to behold. I hope that after the reconstruction, they will also clean out the waters. We saw the elephants, giraffes, a zebra, lemurs, a tiger but for most of them, you really have to strain to find them. What I would normally recommend a 3 hour visit, we were able to finish in 1.5, since there is not much to see. I would hope that in the future, this place will be restored to it's glory from many years ago because it is a fun place to visit when in Honolulu.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jacques Manuel (. 2 years ago on Google
    We spent some quality time with animals together! Don’t forget your masks by protecting animals! Ticket for local is eight bucks and nineteen for visitors, fair enough! I love elephants, lemurs, gibbons,giraffes, turtles, both animals with slo-mo or cheetahs the quick ones(didn’t see them btw🥺), this is my second time visiting this zoo and I enjoyed it, a lot of animals to see! Good for family with kids! Avoid noontime, too humid and hot🥵
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lila L. 4 months ago on Google • 58 reviews
    I've been going here since I was a baby, and I have always been such an experience. PLUS, this time when I went, there was a RARE baby rhino!!! How amazing is that?? I got to see one of the rarest animals in the world!! As a baby! Totally sick. Also, our farm donated 3 baby goats and 4 piglets, about a year ago, and it was so nice seeing them again. The zookeeper and i had a great talk, and she was SO nice and super helpful! Overall, it was so much fun, and I look forward to my next visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan G. 1 month ago on Google • 124 reviews New
    I’m not a huge fan of the zoo overall but this Honolulu Zoo does a great job overall. Most importantly the animals look well taken care of. The layout is great and with mild weather this is such a great experience. If you have a cloudy day on your trip consider visiting. Great for all ages A++++++++++++++++++++++++
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lots of different types of birds and monkeys/apes. The monkeys all seem to consistently be visible and enjoy swinging around throughout the day. They are quite impressive and fun to watch. Would recommend possibly going in the morning; several exhibits appeared empty during the afternoon. I imagine animals were sleeping and avoiding the sun/heat. We went in the afternoon, there was a nice breeze, but it was also quite warm. The few concession stands present were closed. Not sure if this varies by day of week or post-covid aftermath. In general; Smaller than most major zoos. The grounds are nice. There is a playground for children. Pricing is significantly discounted for children and military.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 BDub 2. 1 year ago on Google
    The Honolulu Zoo was a nice walk with a good variety of animal exhibits. I was impressed at the amount of natural covering for shade as we walked through the grounds. We came on a weekday and the zoo was not overly busy. Admission was very reasonable. They do charge a small credit card surcharge if you pay admission with card. Bring cash if you don't want to pay the surcharge. Great place to bring young kids as they have a playground and a kiddie section.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Wendy H. 1 year ago on Google
    Warning: Do not go on a hot day in the afternoon as many animals are sleeping and hiding in cool sheltered places and are out-of-viewing range! Still enjoyed seeing the ones I was able to. Quite well laid out and lots of places to stop and rest and get refreshments. Good for families.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jacob Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome zoo located in downtown Honolulu. Take your kids here. Even your reluctant tweens, and teenagers will enjoy their time here. The zoo has done a great job with managing traffic during the pandemic, making it less likely to have two way traffic on the paths. Lots of awesome animals who seem to be content with their living conditions. Plus, the dip-n-dot station is perfectly located to enjoy a cool treat in the middle of the zoo. There is a food truck and sitting area to eat food near the playground. There are pre-order QR codes around the zoo so you can order your food and then pick it up. Brilliant!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shameless 2 years ago on Google
    Had a blast. Perfect little day outing for the family. Plenty of fun animals for kids to see... The moneys were HILARIOUS. They are so smart! Once a good crowd had gathered it was like they noticed us watching and put on a show. They started chasing each other and screeching really loud. They had the whole zoo chiming in. It was really cool, and the kids LOVED it! We were pleasantly surprised to see they even had a few giraffes and zebras! Such a blast.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anita H. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved this zoo. Highly recommend getting a membership. Animal exhibits are not tiny. Seems to focus more on animal quality exhibits than cramming more animals into their space. Membership also gives you a discount at gift shop and food stands.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Reza N. 1 month ago on Google • 94 reviews New
    We had a good time in the zoo. Overall a nice experience for seeing and learning about different animals and have a walk. Many of the exhibits were closed due to upgrade but the usual favourite animals were all there to enjoy! We expected to have a small map of the zoo with recommended path vs navigating our way through the wall maps.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kimmie M. 9 months ago on Google
    The zoo was cool. I was expecting more but I guess this is more rustic. The animals seemed to be tired. They were all resting so we didn't really see many animals. The plants and trees were beautiful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Kelly N. 7 months ago on Google
    I really wanted to love this zoo. It should be thriving because it has amazing weather and tons of tourists but by the way the grounds and animals are maintained I can tell they lack funding. This could be a marketing problem. The exhibits are overgrown, hazy, and a lot of the time empty. It appears they spend most of their resources keeping the animals alive and the common areas free of foliage. The animals appeared to be miserable. The orangutan looked like they were crying the in corner of their cage and not in the play area. It broke my heart. All the ponds were infested with algae. All the glass needs to be replaced and properly maintained. Zoos are not supposed to exist to barely keep animals alive and make a dime. They should be a place of education so children will grow to maintain conservation efforts. The animals should be living their best lives, free of predators and cared for so they can focus in breeding the next generation. Someone needs to either change the management or take over completely. I only gave them 2 stars because somebody went to a lot of effort to get these animals here in the first place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JAMS O. 2 years ago on Google
    A great place I enjoy bringing the kids and family. Love seeing the animals in their environments. A fun family adventure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 AJ K. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a delightful time at the Honolulu Zoo. 🦁We got there about by 2 and the gate attendant was extremely thoughtful and kind. 🦤 The Zoo closes at 4 so they gave us two hours to explore which was enough time to see almost all the exhibits. They have many exotic animals 🐒 with beautiful bird aviaries 🦩 and lizard exhibits.🐊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Adria S. 4 months ago on Google • 22 reviews
    The zoo was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. I prefer seeing animals in books,however, the Honolulu zoo was really an experience. Although a few of the cages were empty that certainly did not take away from the experience. I loved seeing the signs reminding patrons to respect the animals. The atmosphere had fresh air and the environs were clean. If you are visiting Waikiki you should definitely visit the zoo
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicole P. 10 months ago on Google
    We had an absolutely AMAZING time and that is all thanks to Chris, the zookeeper who led the sloth feeding at 2pm and penguin feeding at 3:15pm. He was FANTASTIC! Super knowledgeable and friendly. He answered everyone's questions and kept checking in to make sure we got the opportunity to ask not only about the animals we saw each time but all animals in the zoo. He was one of the best parts of the zoo! Everyone we interacted with who worked at rhe zoo was great. We saw multiple zookeepers feeding animals as we went and they all made sure to check if we had any questions and helped us enjoy the animals we saw. The exhibits were cool. I loved how each had a clear picture of each animal. They also have a QR code to scan for the most updated map as some animals had moved around so that was really helpful. We spent 3 hours there and stayed until the very end because we were so engaged with the animal feedings. I would say plan at least 3 hours and make sure to go for those feeding times. There was also a playground for children and lots of benches to take breaks.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jessikah P. 9 months ago on Google
    Over all it's a very nice and active place to take the kids. If you're a resident you pay a different price then the tourist. They have a nice size play area in the middle of the zoo for kiddos to play. They also have food courts that are a little pricey. (Example: bacon burger, tenders, fruit salad, water and 2 sodas are about 62$). They have a little kids zoo area that's very cute. The staff is nice and helpful. The elephants are very photogenic lol. Very enjoyable outing for the family. And the Waikiki beach is right across the street for more fun... 4 out of 5 stars!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Troy G. 3 months ago on Google • 50 reviews New
    Not the biggest or most well maintained but pretty good actually. Enclosures were clean and spacious. Variety of animals also good. Zoo map needs work as its not clear Otherwise worth going if you have young kids.

  • 5/5 Charles H. 4 months ago on Google • 48 reviews
    Really Great way to spend a day, not too big and not too small. Great play area for smaller kids. Lots of shade on a hot day. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Yummy dessert options. The grounds and floral are Beautiful.

  • 5/5 Jerry A. 1 month ago on Google • 36 reviews New
    We really enjoyed our visit to the zoo. It is very clean and well maintained. There are plenty of animals and wildlife to enjoy. Good is available as well as plenty of benches if you need to take a break. I highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Amanda R. 8 months ago on Google
    Beautiful zoo! Quite small, but still worth visiting. What I really enjoyed about this zoo was the greenery and beautiful trees! A couple of the exhibits were closed (workers were cutting grass), but it wasn't a big deal.

  • 5/5 Elizabet G. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting. Bigger then I thought. Fun gift shop. The animals where mostly sleeping when they opened. But still was nice to see some in action.

  • 4/5 Link 5 months ago on Google
    came around 2pm to walk around the zoo its a nice stroll but nothing super exciting. animals were cool to see but be prepared to see a lot of them sleeping in shade due to the heat. might be better to come around a colder or less hot time of the day theres a lot of parking

  • 5/5 Dream R. 5 months ago on Google
    We had a great time visiting Honolulu Zoo. Plenty of animals to see. They have a petting zoo, kid playground, and a super cute cow (Lani Moo). It’s a must see lol Very nice experience.

  • 4/5 cb2 4 months ago on Google
    4.5 stars! I loved the zoo - I went by myself on an early morning. Pros - tons of cool animals and facts to learn about HI Animals are up close and personal - the cheetahs we’re just hanging out, the hippos we’re buddies, the lions were napping and comfy, and I loved hearing all the monkeys/lemurs/etc talk back and forth with each other The kids area is the best I’ve ever experienced for kids - I actually felt weird being so excited there without my kid - lol Lots of shade and places to take pictures of Lots of snack places throughout Really close to the beach, shops and hotels Cons - I really struggled with the way finding on the virtual map - might have just been me I couldn’t figure out how to buy tickets online It’s on the smaller size but … we are on an island so! The penguins 🐧 were getting a habit upgrade - so I didn’t get to see them :(

  • 5/5 Hudson H. 4 months ago on Google
    All of the animals here looked happy and healthy. The exhibits are very well designed and maintained. I especially enjoyed the monkey exhibits that are kind of built like little islands in a pond. There is a little something for everyone here. Just about every zoo animal you can think of can be found here.

  • 5/5 Bren D. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing zoo!!! Very few people were here at 2pm and all of the animals were out. Loved it!

  • 4/5 Aniekan U. 2 years ago on Google
    We visited the zoo shortly after they opened for the day so some of the animals had yet to wake up. It was still a lovely visit. There was a wide collection of birds and reptiles, but not so much of some of the other animals. There’s a nice little gift shop, cafe for food and snacks and a park for picnics and just relaxing after looking around. Overall a good experience.

  • 5/5 Robin F. 8 months ago on Google
    I'm a huge animal lover so I always try to visit the zoo where I'm currently staying. I'd have to say the wild dogs were my favorite. Cannot wait for my trip back. Make some time to visit!!!

  • 4/5 Raj 8 months ago on Google
    This is a small Zoo in the city of Honolulu. Please don't expect fancy Huge zoo like San Diego Zoo or Safari park but this is a vefy small place with limited animals & activities. They had staff shortage, so many areas including Goat patting were closed. We could easily finish the Zoo in less then 3 hours. Entrance fees is very reasonable $ 19 for adult and $11 for kids. Inside there is not very many options for food, so you can skip meal inside and enjoy oahu's local joints.

  • 5/5 Csilla F. 2 years ago on Google
    Super zoo. No smell at all. Animals are often hiding from heat. Be patient. Plants and trees are also magnificent. There is a small gift shop and clean tpilets. You can buy refreshments too.

  • 4/5 D- M. 8 months ago on Google
    Fun experience. Loves the flora and fauna. I believe visiting early (ish) would provide better viewing of the larger animals as they sought shade from the mid day heat.

  • 4/5 Janaki V. 8 months ago on Google
    Did the zoo experience. Did get hot so try and get early. The place is huge so wear comfy shoes and apply lots of sunscreen. Some of the exhibits were closed but had a good time.

  • 2/5 Alan B. 9 months ago on Google
    Disappointing! Lots of closed exhibits. The glass enclosures were impossible to see through. Most of the exhibits seemed to have a lack of maintenance (overgrown). Pluses: nice grassy areas for families to gather and a nice playground for the children. The layout (walking paths) was really enjoyable with lots of shade. We are Kama'aina but had never been to the zoo. We live within walking distance and were hoping for a zoo that we could regularly visit. Doesn't seem up to that task.

  • 5/5 William F. 9 months ago on Google
    Fun experience. Takes about three to four hours to see everything. Easy to walk to within Waikiki. Highlight was the elephants, lions, giraffes, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, African hunting dogs, gharial and komodo dragon. The zoo also has bear, tiger and orangutan but the animals were either off exhibit or sleeping and not visible. Many other animals to see. If you have a few hours Waikiki then recommend visiting.

  • 5/5 Law C. 11 months ago on Google
    The Honolulu Zoo is definitely worth a visit. If you’re expecting a zoo like San Diego, New Orleans, or Albuquerque, you may be disappointed, but it’s a cute little zoo with a decent collection of animals from around the world including Asian elephants, penguins, hippopotamuses, orangutans, and an extroverted lion that roars for attention. There is also a petting zoo and a playground for younger children. It is impressively clean and the animals appear to be well cared for and content. It also has a creative layout and landscape that gives a genuine feel of animals in the wild. Queen’s Beach is practically across the street so pack a picnic lunch and spend the day enjoying both.

  • 4/5 Glory N. 2 years ago on Google
    I would consider this a "must" do in Honolulu with toddlers or young children. It is a place where the kids can run, see a great variety of animals and play on a giant jungle gym playground. It isn't easy to take your toddlers many places, but this zoo is a great place to take them! Large stroller friendly walkways or grassy areas to run and play. Bring a picnic or buy from the Wild Burger food truck. Remember to bring your own water because it is pricey to buy it there.

  • 5/5 Jas B. 10 months ago on Google
    I loved every minute of my visit!! The gift shop was a little expensive for my budget, however, they had some really nice options to pick from. Also, the zoo is a great place to take photos. I was able to capture plenty of beautiful pictures of the animals and of many flowers. Definitely check the zoo out if you're ever in Honolulu!

  • 5/5 Dave G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great open air zoo with lots of fun activities for young kids and easy to get around for older kids too! Lots of benches and places to sit. Very easy to get to if staying on the beach on Waikiki!;

  • 4/5 Lehome' B. 2 years ago on Google
    Go in the cool of the morning to get best views of our animal friends. Fun self-guided tour wirh added charm of lush scenery. 👍🏽👍🏽🌴

  • 4/5 Josh N. 2 years ago on Google
    Only 2 minutes from the insanity of Waikiki strip, it's a pretty darn good zoo especially for the low cost of entrance. Adults only $19 in children 11, it's about half that price if you are a military. Mostly your typical zoo with elephants, however there's lots of need if reptiles and other species. There are lots of animals in fish tanks that you can view through a window to class is not always super clean unfortunately. There's a small playground for children, and some interesting additions like a warthog. Food choices are fairly minimal we just brought our own food. Gift shop is fairly good size and is solidly average. There are rentable strollers for children.

  • 5/5 Ke'alohilani M. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a fun idea for a family day out! We hadn't gone in a while and it was exciting to see all the different animals. The zoo is undergoing some renovations so some exhibits were closed but there was still so much to see. We recommend going early enough to spend about 3 hours there, some of that time is for parking, most is for leisurely strolling through the zoo, and leave some time at the end to sit and have a snack and rest before leaving. We brought our own water bottles and a few snacks but we also bought a few snacks along the way to support some vendors as well.

  • 5/5 Jeremy S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit with kids. My 9 year old had a blast. Plenty of good animal exhibits. The birds were amazing. Try the shaved ice in the back of the zoo. Nice cool down on a hot day!

  • 4/5 M K. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a decent small zoo. There is some construction going on so everything is not available. The restaurant was closed so food is available from a food truck with limited beverage selection. There is a soda machine nearby but it's an older machine that only accepts cash - $4.50 for a soda...sigh.


Call (808) 926-3191 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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