Maine State Aquarium

06/19/2026

We are closed today for the federal holiday. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We will be open Saturday at 10am!

Send a message to learn more

06/18/2026

Why do we work at the Maine State Aquarium? Because we love tide pooling—and found a way to make a career out of it!

We also love helping visitors discover the amazing animals that live in Maine’s intertidal zone. Our touch tank is designed to resemble a rocky tide pool, giving you a chance to get up close to some of the creatures that make their home between the tides.

Sea stars, sea cucumbers, scallops, crabs, anemones, and more are waiting to be discovered!

Come explore with us Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., through September 6.

06/17/2026

🐟 Opening Day is June 17! 🦞

This season we are open Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., through September 6.

Explore Gulf of Maine habitats, marine life, and cutting-edge research in our one-room aquarium and adjacent Learning Lab. This season, our larger display tanks showcase innovative research gear designed to help study the Gulf, alongside exhibits highlighting Maine aquaculture.

You’ll also meet some of the fascinating animals that call the Gulf of Maine home, including sea stars, lobsters, scallops, anemones, crabs, fish, and more.

We look forward to welcoming you for a season of discovery along Maine’s coast!

06/16/2026

We’ve been collecting recently for our new exhibits- any idea what we collected on this trip?

06/12/2026

(We updated the correct schedule!Thanks for letting us know, and for following us!)

Worms are wonderful, and how better to celebrate them than at the Wiscasset Wormfest! (yes, that is a thing!) Celebrate All Things Worm-related in historic Wiscasset, the "worm capital of the world." There will be food, fun, and festivities, including Dept of Marine Resources scientists who love worms!

06/12/2026

Want to learn more about the worm-derful world of marine worms in the Gulf of Maine? (who wouldn't?!) Visit the Aquarium this summer and meet our scientists studying them. Researcher Anne Simpson says, "We have an incredible diversity of marine worms, and they do all kinds of incredible things in order to survive."

Our season is June 17 - September 6 (closed Federal holidays), Wednesdays - Sundays, 10am to 3pm.

06/11/2026

We are getting our exhibits ready for our opening next week! Here is a rock gunnel hanging out underneath a sea cucumber in our new nursery tank.

You can learn about the animals of the Gulf of Maine June 17 - September 6, Wednesdays - Sundays, 10am - 3pm (closed federal holidays).

06/11/2026

Our seasonal staff are encountering turtles in the road as they commute - and you may, too. Our friends at Maine Wildlife Park have some handy tips to safely help turtles on their way. Follow these tips and every can arrive safely to their destination.

Want to learn more about the turtles of Maine? And meet our new staff? Visit us between June 17 and September 6, Wednesday - Sundays, 10am - 3pm. We are closed on Federal Holidays.

06/08/2026

Opening Day is June 17!

Aquarium staff recently provided a sneak peek for a local family, and the child enthusiastically awarded the experience “180 gold (sea) stars.”

As one 2025 visitor described it: "Yes, this aquarium is small—but that’s part of its charm. If … you’re looking for a thoughtfully curated experience where you can get up close to the exhibits, learn something new, support local marine conservation efforts, all in a beautiful location, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Sometimes good things really do come in small packages."

The Maine State Aquarium has fin-tastic news: opening day for the 2026 season is June 17. The aquarium will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on federal holidays. Admission information, visitor tips, and online ticket sales are available on our website. https://www.m...

06/08/2026

Happy World Ocean Day! Honestly, at the Aquarium, every day feels like Ocean Day. We open for the season on June 17, and we’d love for you to come shell-abrate with us! Experience what is unique about the Gulf of Maine and dive into what our researchers are discovering.