Maria Mitchell Association | MMA Aquarium

Located on the shoreline of Nantucket Harbor, the Aquarium has been a favorite summer destination for locals and visitors alike since it was converted from a ticket office for the former Nantucket Railroad.

Locally-collected specimens (released back into the wild at the end of the season) are on exhibit. Displays are always changing and include anything from seahorses to octopuses to sharks! Get a “feel” for the local ecosystem at our touch tank, home to crabs, clams, baby horseshoe crabs, and more. Also, don’t forget to take part in the annual naming contest. This popular program asks visitors to drop by and submit their name suggestions for an animal at the aquarium. Past contests have been held to name creatures such as an octopus, a blue lobster, and a family of seahorses!

“The Aquarium is just the best thing on-island for kids and adults. The displays of species collected locally are so interesting, and we love the touch tank!” –Survey Response

In addition to year-round Nantucket inhabitants such as dogfish, squid, octopuses, horseshoe crabs, and more, the Aquarium houses some surprises. As the warm waters of the Gulf Stream flow northward, young tropical fish are occasionally swept up in the current and brought into Nantucket waters. French angelfish, groupers, butterfly fish, damsel fish, jacks, permits, and other tropical species have all made appearances at the Maria Mitchell Association’s Aquarium.

Beyond meeting Nantucket’s water-dwelling inhabitants at the Aquarium, you can encounter many forms of marine life in their natural habitat during one of our interactive programs offered through the Aquarium. Click here to view descriptions of programs for all ages, including our very popular Marine Ecology Walks, Whale Watches and Seal Cruises, as well as unique tours and programs offered in collaboration with The Trustees of Reservations!

NEW FOR SUMMER 2009 “Feeding Frenzy” @ 9:30am Mon.-Sat. Join Aquarium staff as they feed 50+ species of fish and other marine life at the Aquarium before it opens to the public! $5 members, $10 non-members. Like all other Aquarium programs, pre-registration is required and interested participants must call the Aquarium at (508) 228-5387.

Did you know our Aquarium is available to host private birthday parties and other special events? Check our rental brochure here [link to brochure PDF] for more information.