MMA Aquarium


Located on the shoreline of Nantucket Harbor, the Aquarium displays local Nantucket marine species and is an excellent place to learn about the amazing sea life around the island.

The Aquarium is a great place to learn about the unique marine environment of Nantucket. Visit us to learn about marine ecosystems, see live animals, and discover more about Nantucket's biodiversity!

Hours & Admission


CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
REOPENING IN JUNE 2024.

The MMA bid an emotional farewell to our Aquarium location at 28 Washington Street and will be moving to its temporary location at 32 Washington Street!


DISCOVERY CENTER & AQUARIUM PROJECT

The Maria Mitchell Association is on a mission to create a Discovery Center & Aquarium that takes on climate change education and coastal resiliency adaptation. We've unveiled plans for renovating our waterfront property into the first coastal resiliency project on Nantucket. The project is specifically designed to adapt to the rising waters in real-time. We remain grateful to our community and colleague support to manifest this vision.


The re-imagined space will feature hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, an expanded, state-of-the-art aquarium and marine biology lab, rotating exhibits highlighting the history of Maria Mitchell and her role in history and science, community gathering spaces, and improved residential housing for MMA staff.

Exhibits

Touch Tank

Ever wanted to learn how to hold a crab? Get a feel for the marine life that lives on and near Nantucket beaches at the most popular aquarium activity. Home to crabs, shrimp, clams, snails, and more, the touch tank is a place where all ages can learn something new.



Outdoor Circle Tank

One of the larger tanks at the Aquarium, the circle tank is home to larger animals, such as baby sharks, horseshoe crabs, flounder and more! It overlooks the harbor and is a perfect place to contemplate the natural beauty of Nantucket.




Aquarium Rooms

Each room is filled with more than 50 animals including jellyfish, lobsters, shrimp, tropical fish, and common local species. Our live microscope exhibit changes daily to highlight small critters we find in our area. Animal displays change weekly to highlight new species or local ecosystems. There is always something new to discover!

Displays are always changing and range from crabs and jellyfish to tropical fish and seastars. All animals at the Aquarium are locally-collected and are released back into the wild at the end of the season.

Visit Our Gift Shop

Stop by our museum gift shop to pick up educational toys and books, as well as scientific gear to continue your exploration of the world around you, including binoculars, field guides, insect vials, butterfly nets, and more! You can also purchase Maria Mitchell Association clothing for a perfect summer outdoors!

About the Animals

All of the 80+ marine species displayed at the Aquarium are found around Nantucket and the exhibits change every year based on what is found throughout the season. No summer is the same as the one before! Sometimes we even find stray tropical fish!

The Aquarium depends on local fishers and charter captains to collect many of the bigger animals we display. A special thanks to Just Do It Too, Critter Cruise, and Sayle's Seafood for many of our recent donations.

The success of the Maria Mitchell Aquarium is largely thanks to our volunteers, who collectively donate over 750 hours of service!

Throughout the summer, the Maria Mitchell Aquarium typically displays around 90 species of marine fish and invertebrates!

(Prior to COVID-19) Around 5000-6000 visitors tour the Maria Mitchell Aquarium each summer!

(Prior to COVID-19) Between 600 and 650 guests participate in our outdoor programs, such as our Marine Ecology Field Trips and Beach Biology Field Trips each summer!

Every year, the MMA Aquarium collects 1-4 stray tropical fish. Many of them drifted over 1,500 miles from their birthplace before arriving on Nantucket.

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