Oceanarium and Education Center

Fantastic experience: We had such a wonderful time here at the Oceanarium. So many cool things to explore, and the staff members are incredibly knowledgeable! I wanted to thank Bee in particular for answering all of our questions and teaching us.

Fantastic experience: We had such a great time at the Oceanarium on our trip to Acadia National Park. Our youngest LOVES science and marine biology. We all learned so much. Everyone there was very friendly and knowledgeable. Special thanks to Bailey for all of the extra time they spent answering our 10-year-old’s many questions at the touch tank. Also to Ben for the engaging conversation about sea glass. When you first enter the building, you might be slightly surprised at the price, but it is definitely worth it.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic stop with the family to learn about wildlife in the area! We appreciated the informative staff along the way as well as the storybook trail!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely worth it! Small but we spent a few hours here with our family (ages 0, 2, 9, and 16). All of the staff were really knowledgeable, passionate, and were great at answering all of our questions, including some that we didn't even realize we had. We learned all about the brackish water ecosystem of the salt marshes - I never even knew such an environment existed! The touch tank and lobster boat were cool too. They have a scavenger hunt for kids and a storybook trail that you might not notice so keep an eye out for those too!

Fantastic experience: This is a fun and educational place for kids and adults! The staff is very friendly as well. My sons, ages 5 and 3, loved the touch tank, lobster boat, and the whale skeleton.

Fantastic experience: A wonderful little museum + aquarium! We had such a wonderful time visiting during a rainy day in Bar Harbor. Loved learning about the salt marshes in the area and getting to hear from a worker there about lobsters! (Thx Bailey!) It’s more than obvious that these workers love their jobs and love the creatures within their tanks and on the coasts. We probably could have talked to Bailey for an hour about lobsters alone but we came in right around closing. I would recommend this place to all ages!

Fantastic experience: The staff were great we had a amazing time and one of our favorite parts was the interactive touch tank we had a fun day here we hope that we can come back soon!

Fantastic experience: Really fun little stop on the way in to bar harbor! Bailey was super knowledgeable about the animals and the crab feeding was really neat! Nice nature walk, although there’s a lot of mosquitoes!

Fantastic experience: If you love Bar Harbor and coastal Maine - this is a must visit. Bailey, Mikey, and Amy were AWESOME and full of knowledge. The girls at the admissions desk were also awesome. Everyone was so willing to share their knowledge. Exhibits were so fun and educational. Must visit!!! They also have a great gift shop as well!

Fantastic experience: We had a fabulous experience today at the Oceanarium! We did not know what to expect from a small science center, but the employees absolutely made it great! There were so many educational moments and Bailey, the employee who showed us the touch tank, was so engaging and enthusiastic with my 5 and 7 year olds that I practically had to peel them away so another family could enjoy! We learned a lot and were pleasantly impressed. It may have been my kids’ most memorable experience in Bar Harbor.

Negative experience: Do not waste your money, staff is incredibly rude and very hostile. Skip this place and go somewhere else better. I would’ve rather thrown the $50 out the window instead of giving it too them. If 0 stars was an option it still would be too high!

Negative experience: Woman at the front desk was helpful but the other two workers we came in contact with were completely rude and micromanaged every move people were making, very odd atmosphere. Also seems overpriced for what they had to offer.

Fantastic experience: It’s a small place, but the staff is passionate and eager to talk about the artifacts and creatures on display.

Fantastic experience: The best rainy day activity in BH. A great museum for anyone noise or crowd sensitive. Popping outside for a quick break is easy, the museum is divided between two buildings and a scenic walk. Mike is so lovely to talk with and incredibly knowledgeable. The whale skeleton is such a unique experience.

Fantastic experience: Cool place that’s great for educating kids. You can tell the people who work here genuinely are passionate about the ocean and protecting it. The touch tank is really cool and the staff were very patient and kind. Worth a stop in!

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed the oceanarium on a rainy day. It is small in size but so very nicely done. They have put a lot of thought into this. The lobster boat is really cool and the sand play area by the boat had sand that’s just the right consistency of sand and water to be perfect packing sand. We also enjoyed the touch tank, the giant whale skeleton, the large fishing net with the story, and the uniquely colored lobsters. We were here about an hour.

Fantastic experience: It was really amazing to see and learn about the local sea life. There was lots of really interesting hands-on experiences and you must talk with the staff, they are very knowledgeable and had a lot of very interesting one on one discussions, they made the experience. When you pull up, the front building can be a little deceiving, but the other buildings exhibits offered a truly awesome experience.

Fantastic experience: Such a cool little place!! We were not able to walk around the trails during our visit because it was pouring but had fun checking out the museum and aquarium. The touch tank was amazing!! And the staff were all so friendly and knowledgeable. It's obvious they all love what they do and educating people. One of the staff spent so much time showing our son the touch tank animals and telling us all about them. So many cool specimens and shells to check out.

Fantastic experience: The staff here were so kind! Rosa was the best! They had really great exhibits for the kids. Very glad we visited

Fantastic experience: We visited this place on a rainy day and it was a perfect activity! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the creatures in the aquarium. The aquarium had so many detailed signs and we spent about an hour in there alone. The lobster boat inside the aquarium is so cool and interactive for kids. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I visited in 1997. It was a very memorable experience. It was before Google and iPhone so I’m just now leaving a review. I enjoyed talking to the man about the lobster farming process. he was so interesting.

Fantastic experience: We visited in early October 2024. What a great surprise. We had the full attention of Mikey for hours. A great guy with a wealth of knowledge, personality and humor. He clearly loved his job and talking about all the creatures !!! Best experience ever. We were lucky we went during the week and there were only a few people there. If you have a chance to go, do it!

Fantastic experience: We had a great time with our 8 year old here, she loved learning about the local marine life! Everyone was so kind and extremely knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: We visited back in July. Very friendly staff!! Thank you! (I hope you were able to finish the fence for the molting lobster)

Fantastic experience: Don't miss this one! When we arrived we were not impressed by the outside of the building. But don't judge a book by its cover! The people here are very knowledgeable, and very passionate about their work. We learned so much about lobstering, and the aquatic life around Bar Harbor.

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing time here. Staff were so enthusiastic and engaged the kids in everything. The hands-on aquarium was a really cool way to appreciate creatures like moon snails and sea stars that I never imagined would be so interesting. Great variety of exhibits and things to do.

Negative experience: The gal at the touch tank was amazing she gets 5 stars the encounter with her was stellar, we were here 32 years ago was a lot different back then, hope the money we paid goes to education of some kind

Fantastic experience: Perfect place for kids! Spectacular exhibits of local marine life: cotton candy blue lobster, touch tank with sea stars, snails, crabs. The naturalist really knows a lot and is great with children. Check the daily activities times, we saw the lobster feeding and saw them come out and move. There's even whale skeleton in the museum. Plenty of cool things there to check out! An excellent half day activity for young kids!!

Fantastic experience: Great little find to spend a few hours and learn about the ocean environment. Very small but the staff is kind, amazing and obviously passionate. Bailey at the touch tank made the visit for us. Obviously very passionate and knowledgeable and willing to share lots of information and fun facts. Was so kind to my two children and gave them so many opportunities to touch and learn about all the creatures available there. I found the information so interesting. I think we could have stayed there longer if we had the time. We spent most of the time at the touch tank. The scavenger hunt was perfect for my 4 & 7 year olds and really upped the participation, especially for my 7 year old that was reading signs to find the answers! Thank you!! Would definitely stop again on our next visit!

Fantastic experience: Really great experience for kids. The staff are all very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: We went for the touch tank and had an even better time than we thought we would. The employees there are all passionate about their jobs and the man working the touch tank explained so much about the animals in front of us. The little museum they have is super interesting too. Very impressive sea glass exhibit.

Fantastic experience: It is a busy, happy place, and just perfect for a rainy day with our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. The touch tank was a big hit, as was running along the paths in the salt marsh. It was clean and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: What a gem of a find. Such knowledgeable staff and wonderful displays. Got to see very rare blue lobster, cotton candy lobster, and tangerine lobster, a humpback whale skeleton, starfish and a nice salt marsh walk. Amazing display of sea glass matched up to old bottles, plates, and crockery plus alot more. All local discoveries. Lots of fun to visit.

Fantastic experience: This place was an incredible find. Amazing place for kids, complete with scavenger hunt and small hiking trail. The staff were very knowledgeable and excited to talk about the animals and ocean museum. We'd love to go back again. We got there right when they opened and no one was there; it got fairly busy as we were leaving.

Fantastic experience: Nice aquarium with knowledgeable staff.

Fantastic experience: This place is amazing!! Super fun and very informative. Takes about an hour or two to see it all but it is well worth it! The staff are eager to share their knowledge and they are extremely knowledgeable. I challenge you to find a question that they can’t answer. I highly recommend a stop here. It’s worth it!

Fantastic experience: Wonderful place to learn many useful information about the environment around the sea and in the sea.

Positive experience: The staff are outstanding.

Positive experience: A great place for younger kids. My niece had a blast petting or holding everything in the touch tank.

Positive experience: Some small tanks with crustaceans in and a Touch Tank with some cool creatures. Very nice marsh trail. A little pricy for such a small centre.

Fantastic experience: We loved visiting the oceanarium, plenty to explore for the kids. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and even with a large crowd for World Ocean Day we were able to get some one on one time with them to answer questions and learn more about the exhibits!

Fantastic experience: What a great place. It is very kid friendly, knowledgeable staff, scenic walking paths, cool (local) animals, and an amazing sea glass collection. Plan on a couple of hours

Fantastic experience: Great place to visit! We learned alot from the staff as they talked about the areas sea creatures! Nice walking trail also!

Fantastic experience: Unique, Quaint and worth a visit.

Positive experience: This place has a self-guided outdoor marsh walk with beautiful views. The walk through the woods was well-kept, not overgrown, and clear on where to go. The museum is pretty small, but features a whale skeleton, lots of sea glass, shells, and the like. They have a lobster boat and a sand area for the kids to play in. There are lots of sea creatures on display and there is an area to see and touch different sea life including star fish, sea cucumbers, lobster, jellyfish (just see, not touch), and crabs. Although the experience is mostly self-guided, they do have very friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable staff posted at the main areas.

Fantastic experience: I loved this place. The touch pool is awesome; it reminded me of the touch pools I grew up with. The sea glass display is way cool; the baby whale skeleton is awesome; I loved the display tanks, the lobster boat, the diorama of different fishing practices, the wall full of buoys, the information aboht different types of sea creatures in Maine and the different challenges and circumstances affecting them or affected by them. The marsh walk was also cool. The people were super friendly, knowledgeable, and seemed to have genuine interest and passion for the place and what it's about. The gift shop also has a fantastic array of Maine-made, interesting, and well-crafted goods. The place is well curated. I can't wait to see what it becomes! \(o^-^o)/

Fantastic experience: We spent 40 hours a month here (according to my google maps app) last summer. I have a kid who loves all things ocean & water related and our annual pass was the best money we spent last year. Animal feedings are at 2pm, and I think most folks spent maybe an hour or so there. If your kids are older and not absolutely ocean obsessed? Don’t expect to be there forever. You have younger kids? You need to stop for a rest with them between more exhausting activities? This is a good rest stop. There’s an indoor lobster boat they can play on, with a sand box. There’s an outside boat with a slide. There’s picnic tables and they renovated the bathrooms this past winter. Like birds? There’s an Osprey nest you can see from the shore. The staff is lovely and welcoming. The aquarists are happy to share information and tell you all about the animals. Everyone there is doing a great job rejuvenating a neglected gem.

Fantastic experience: This was so fun! We are two adults in our 30s and we went here on a rainy day. We learned a ton and had a blast!

Fantastic experience: Informative and neat little spot with a touch pool and some really cool artifacts

Fantastic experience: Although it was a small facility, it was an amazing experience! We were shown around the facility by Ben who told us a BUNCH of interesting information about Maine lobster fishing and the ocean habitats. He is obviously very passionate about his job! We LOVED the blue lobster named Blackberry!

Positive experience: They are trying their best but there is not much there.

Fantastic experience: the place to see rare blue lobsters

Fantastic experience: Was really nice. The two working there were actually amazing. I’m a teacher went with my class, and it was very informative and amazing for my students.

Fantastic experience: Very enjoyable and educational. Several buildings and a walking path. Interesting experts in each building to answer questions.

Positive experience: A liitle basic but the tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. They are passionate about what they do and it has a lot of potential. It can only get better.

Fantastic experience: The volunteers love what they do. Sitting on the bank by the ice harvesting shack, watching the tide roll in and listening to children play, was a great experience.

Fantastic experience: Great place to take young kids! Everyone is super friendly and the whole place is very educational. There is a delightful gift shop and jungle gym. But be warned - there can be a lot of mosquitos outside, so prepare accordingly. The store does offer free bug spray if you want!

Positive experience: The best was the whale boxes put together, wonderful And lovely people.

Positive experience: Not worth it. The bugs were so bad...it just wasn't what we thought it was going to be like. For the price..very disappointing.

Fantastic experience: The staff was awesome, but be careful of the time that you go. The mosquitoes practically ate us alive.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time and highly recommend! We will definitely be back with the rest of our family. Beautifully conceived and executed and I can’t wait to see how the evolve and expand. Shoutout to Ben the aquarist for his in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm!

Negative experience: This USED to be a very cool and informative place. Now, it’s a single building with very little to see and do. Certainly not worth $18 per adult.

Positive experience: Cool place... Lots of oceanic information and you can pretty much touch everything they have on display including the ocean creatures.. if you take the trail then make sure you have some off when is mosquito season it's really beautiful in there..

Fantastic experience: The sign caught our eye to and from our hotel and Acadia. We're so glad we stopped! Great displays and hands on activities. Very friendly and enthusiastic staff. Spent about 40 minutes there with our teens and we all enjoyed it.

Positive experience: New owners! Open in 2023 after being closed for 3 years. Family friendly. Kids loved it, especially 4 & 6 year old. They had a real boat inside to play on and ‘catch lobster’, tanks to see crabs, fish, sea stars, lobsters, etc. plus a touch tank. Also a real whale skeleton and local artifacts. Employees were all friendly and knowledgeable. There was also a small trail outside. We spent a total about 2 hours here. A little over priced, but after days of rain we were glad to find something for kids to enjoy.

Fantastic experience: Where art nature and science meet in a beautiful location.

Positive experience: Appreciated seeing some of the local sea critters! Lobster display was particularly interesting and the museum staff did a great job of explaining everything.

Positive experience: Sadly the Oceanarium is very underwhelming for the price you pay to get in. There were not descriptions for all of the creatures in the sea life tanks, leaving us wondering what some of them were. The touch tank was pretty sparse with the only thing we were allowed to hold was a starfish. You can find starfish on plenty of beaches around here for free! The lobster boat was cluttered with random items that didn’t seem to have much thought put into how to display them. The marsh trail had posters along the way displaying printed out pages from a book. The font was way too small to read without crouching down, very strange. The whale skeleton was neat and the pirate playground was small, but nice for our son to play on. Based on what you get for your money I would rate this 1 or 2 stars, but the staff was friendly and nice so that makes this 3 stars.

Positive experience: Took my 5 and 3 yo sons here. They really enjoyed the pretend play area on the lobster boat and the touch feel exhibit. They have a wonderful little gift shop with lots of fun goodies! They trail walk is beautiful BUT PLEASE pack bug spray. we went during the July 4th weekend of a very rainy summer!

Fantastic experience: We learned so much today! Morgan was amazing and had answers to all of our questions at the touch tank. She also opened conversations about all of the plants and sea creatures in the touch tank. In the museum building we learned about the process of readying the bones for exhibit and much more, including the interesting treasures found beach combing. The passion of your staff makes this location a treasure. Thank you for a wonderful visit!

Positive experience: Great spot for kids. My kids loved all the play items, fishing boat, lobster traps, fishing toys, touch tank. The whale skeleton was cool. Learned a lot of fishing history. Bit pricey

Positive experience: It was ok, a bit over priced for what is on display. I will say the staff is fantastic and knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: The Oceanarium is small but the exhibits are really nice and the staff are absolutely excellent. We visited with our three young kids and all the staff really went out of their way to make the exhibits fun and interesting for the kids. Just for that it's a five out of five

Positive experience: It's quaint. I feel it's a bit pricy for what they have to offer. I get that it's a business and on an island is probably expensive to operate, but 3 lobsters and a handful of star fish, and a self guided tour with no information or brochure explaining anything it was simply a quick walk around the property.

Fantastic experience: Very cool hidden gem that I was told was closed for a while and reopened a few years ago as a nonprofit. They have a whale skeleton and tanks with lobsters, crabs, etc, as well as a "touch tank" where you can touch starfish, sea cucumbers etc. Worth the money!

Fantastic experience: This is such a great place to go check out with your child, we went twice in one week she liked it so much. All the employees there are awesome, I recommend going a little before 2pm because 2pm is when they feed the aquatic life and you get a lesson on whatever creatures they're taking care of its awesome

Fantastic experience: Very educational for children and adults. For a first year being open in over 4 years, they are doing a great job. Still have a ways to go but overall see potential from donors both financially and with artifact donations.

Negative experience: There is almost nothing here. There's just a few things in a small touch tank, a couple of lobsters and a whale skeleton in a couple of run down buildings. Had it been free I still wouldn't have thought it worth visiting-they actually charge $18 per adult!

Fantastic experience: I was a little concerned that at the price and size this wouldn’t be worth it, but it was a gem! We learned so much in the 1.5 hours we were here. The staff was outstanding and did a wonderful job of observing our interests and then engaging us. Literally every staff member was passionate, engaged, and helpful. Definitely worth a stop!

Positive experience: Very small but well done and the touch tank is great!

Fantastic experience: The bigger kids loved playing with the lobster boat and touching the starfish. The youngest loved playing with the sand and the boat playground. We enjoyed the story along the marsh path. You may want to consider bringing bug spray as there were lots of mosquitoes along the marsh path.

Positive experience: Nice place for a stop. It has taken a lot of work to get this gem polished after years of neglect. Can't wait until they have baby lobster again.

Fantastic experience: The staff are very informative and helpful and which to explain any questions you have. Lovely seeing... Easy walk-around. Have fun doing the scavenger hunt!

Negative experience: This is part of the place next door. $18 per adult ticket is not in line with the exhibits. This is a tourist trap in Bar Harbor. You leave wondering how on earth they charged you $18 a person with a straight face.

Fantastic experience: We had a great time today. My boys loved it. Highly recommended it. It's stroller friendly for smaller kids. My boys loved the lobster boat they didn't want to leave.

Positive experience: A nice change of pace. Educational and a place for kids to use up some energy. Clearly this place has a intriguing history from the 70’s.

Fantastic experience: Ww took our grandchildren. The staff was very patient and informative.

Fantastic experience: Such a unique collection! Been lucky enough to see many coastal museums, and this one has items I have never encountered before. Such a treat!

Fantastic experience: So wonderful to have this back as part of the community. It was exciting to see what's been done and hear about what they're planning on doing come 2023, but also learning all about the local ocean creatures.

Fantastic experience: So glad to see this reopened. Went with the littles and their parents and we all enjoyed it very much. Staff is very knowledgable and answered every question. We did not bring cash for donation but I will happily be sending a check. Can't wait to see this wonderful experience completely open.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and informative staff. I enjoyed seeing all the critters inside and walking the beautiful path outside. It's wonderful to see this place up and running.

Negative experience: Drove down and they are shut down. Nonexistent

Fantastic experience: Learned a bunch! Witty and friendly owner and teachers

Fantastic experience: Entertaining and informative with great staff Well worth the time

Negative experience: Closed not in business anymore

Fantastic experience: This place is closed. It is open for tours by appointment only. You have to call first

Negative experience: This place was closed and out of business for at least a year!

Positive experience: The staff were very friendly and the presentation on lobsters was interesting and informative.

Fantastic experience: The Mount Desert Oceanarium is an amazing aquarium, that even as my mom described "provides hints of Nantucket." An salt pond nearby (with a salt marsh), lobster aquarium, and lots of trails. 5/5.

Positive experience: ok, very informative but not worth the cost for us.