Maine State Aquarium

Located on the shore of beautiful West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the Aquarium is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR)

A redesigned (as of Summer 2023) Maine State Aquarium explores the Gulf of Maine ecosystem with a variety of tanks, hands-on exhibits, and interactive displays. Behind the Scenes tours of the Aquarium and Department of Marine Resources Boothbay Laboratory are also available. For up-to-date hours, fees, and schedules, check out the Aquarium’s website and social media.

“Later this summer, the Aquarium will again open its doors for one-day talks by DMR Science staff that provide visitors an inside look into the research that helps protect and sustain Maine’s valuable marine resources and environment. A schedule will be posted on Aquarium’s website and social media sites.

We plan to showcase the important work going on in DMR’s Science Bureau that most people don’t know about. Two such presentations have been scheduled and more will be in the coming days. The current schedule includes a lobster research presentation for July 28th that will provide insight into the science behind this vital industry. On August 17th we’ll offer an exciting presentation on the emerging research into white shark presence in the Gulf of Maine.
As more programs are scheduled, we will post them here and on social media.

We are not scheduling school or group field trips or programs in 2023 so we can focus on renovations and exhibit design.

DMR’s Boothbay Harbor campus is located at 194 McKown Pt Rd and includes the Maine State Aquarium, Learning Lab, and Burnt Island Lighthouse and Education Center.

DMR also owns and operates Burnt Island, with its historic lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s residence.  Burnt Island is only accessible by boat. Approximately one mile from the port of Boothbay Harbor, this 5-acre island is open to the public seven days a week from 10 AM – 5 PM, June – October.