Take a Trip to Maui’s Ocean Center
Here on Maui, the ocean is an inherent part of our life and our ecosystem. It gives us food, fun, and relaxation and is forever enshrined in our culture and the Aloha spirit. We want to share our love of the ocean and all its amazing creatures with you!
Interested? Then take your family to the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea. We like to call the Maui Ocean Center the “Aquarium of Hawaii.” Throughout its many exhibits, the center will show you the vast diversity of life under the water, and you won’t even have to get wet! For those staying in North Kihei, it’s the closest attraction to you.
Introducing the Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is Maui’s way of sharing all the wonder of the ocean with our residents and guests. The center was originally opened in 1998 and now includes 60 unique exhibits, along with lots of cool educational programs, shows, and movies. The Maui Ocean Center was listed at one of the Top 25 Best Aquariums in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and is a great outing for the entire family.
Exploring the Exhibits
With over 60 exhibits to explore, it can be hard to really appreciate all that the Maui Ocean Center has to offer in just one day. If you only have a short time to spend at the center, consider exploring its top exhibits.
These include the Open Ocean Exhibit, a 54-foot tunnel that you can walk through. The tunnel is part of a 750,000-gallon tank filled with fascinating marine life. Watch fish, rays, and SHARKS glide all around you as you walk through.
Other great exhibits include:
- Turtle lagoon
- Tide pool
- Shallow reef
- Nursery Bay
Throughout the day, specialists at the Maui Ocean Center will perform educational demonstrations at many of these exhibits.
The Creatures!
Maui’s oceans are filled with many different forms of sea life that all work together to create a functioning eco-system. You can see many of these creatures living it up at the Maui Ocean Center, including:
- Sharks
- Seals
- Sea turtles
- Blacktip Reef Sharks
- Angle Fish
- Hermit Crabs
- Sea Cucumbers
- Sting Rays
- Eels
- Hammerhead Sharks
- Tiger Sharks
- Jellfish
- And more
More Attractions
The Maui Ocean Center offers quite a few other attractions to keep you and your family entertained and fed. When you purchase a daily pass, you’ll get access to the Makai Theater, which is always showing cool, educational films.
If you need a break from the exhibits, check out the gift shop, or grab a bite to eat at the award-winning Seascape Restaurant.
If you really want to remember your trip to the aquarium, sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour or for a shark dive (at additional cost, and you’re required to have a PADI certification.)
The Humpback Whale 3D Movie Theater: This movie theater offers an immersive experience that allows visitors to observe humpback whales in their natural environment. The vibrant images are projected onto the domed walls of the theater, giving viewers an up-close and personal look into the lives of these majestic creatures. Additionally, a surround sound system ensures guests can feel like they’re part of the action.
Sharks in a Safe Environment: Maui Ocean Center offers the unique opportunity to see sharks safely and up close! Guests can observe various species of reef sharks and learn more about them through informational displays around the pool area. Watch them swim above and around you in the glass tunnel!
Coral Reef Exhibits: Explore stunning coral reefs from all over the world at this interactive exhibit! Through virtual reality technology visitors have an opportunity to explore shallow coral reefs and learn more about these colorful ecosystems from informative displays surrounding each habitat tank. There’s something new to discover every time you visit!
Costs – as of January 13th, 2023
The Maui Ocean Center is an affordable way to entertain the entire family and teach your children about the importance of preserving the ocean and all the life within it. As of this writing, daily passes cost:
- $39.95 – Adult
- $26.95 – children ages 4 – 12
- $34.95 – Seniors Kūpuna
The aquarium also offers annual passes, military and Kama’āina discounts.To learn more about the Maui Ocean Center, buy tickets, or watch its many cool webcams, visit: https://mauioceancenter.com/
