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Maui Ocean Center Review
Maui Ocean Center Review
Whether the weather isn’t cooperating for an afternoon on the beach or you’re simply seeking a fun, family-friendly, educational experience for everyone in your group, a visit to the Maui Ocean Center is a must-do. Named one of the Top 25 Best Aquariums in the U.S., guests will be intrigued by the variety of local marine life, talks from local marine naturalists and experts, weekly events, and even a scuba diving experience with sharks in the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean Exhibit. Learn more about Hawaii’s endemic marine life at this centrally located Maui visitor staple.
Want more? You can see many of these beautiful sea creatures up close and personal on these amazing Maui snorkel tours.
Located off of Maʻalaea Road near Maʻalaea Harbor, the Maui Ocean Center is Hawaii’s top-rated aquarium. Open since 1998, the Maui Ocean Center hosts thousands of visitors each year who come to learn more about Hawaii’s endemic marine life and witness it up close for themselves.
Maui Aquarium
Featuring outdoor tide pools, interpretive displays and over 60 exhibits, including marine life found nowhere else on earth, the highlight of the Ocean Center is the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean Exhibit, which offers a unique guided experience for certified scuba divers to swim alongside local sharks, rays, and a variety of tropical fish species, as well as guests to watch them through the 54-foot walk-through tunnel.
Na Moʻolelo Cultural Program
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, guests can time their visit with an array of daily presentations, including the Turtle Lagoon, Nursery Bay, Shallow Reef, and more, as well as the Na Moʻolelo Cultural Program, which features experiences such as ukulele lessons, wood carving, and coconut weaving. Dedicated to fostering respect, wonder, and understanding for Hawaii’s marine life, guests can feel good about spending their time and money at a local business working hard to protect the future of local marine life.
Nearby Areas:
Kihei • Wailea • Pukalani
Maui Ocean Center Photos
4 reviews for Maui Ocean Center Review
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Cameron Russell –
I’m a bit spoiled in that we have one of the best aquariums here in Georgia, but this one was special in that it had so many fish and ocean life endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. We loved the glass tunnel through the big shark and ray tank. That was the best part but we liked all the other exhibits. We learned quite a bit about ancient Hawaiian fishing and the importance of the desolate island off the coast. This is worth a visit when in Maui.
Billy B. –
THOSE JELLYFISH ARE MESMERIZING! Next time I go, I’m going to plan on a good 30 minutes of just sitting and watching those graceful creatures. Also, the 3D whale movie was so cool! That was worth admission by itself.
Steven Zemlock –
Kinda thought it silly to go to an aquarium when the ocean here is filled with fish but after our trip in February, I get it. You can see some of these fish when snorkeling in Maui but you not nearly all the ocean life. We learned quite a bit about Hawaiian waters and we loved the shark tank. My son was losing his mind! Loved the big sting rays and the giant jack fish too. We’ll be back
Bett –
We stayed at the Maalaea Kai Condominiums, and it was so convenient for us to walk over. We went 3 times: once before dinner at your restaurant Seascape, once after a snorkel cruise to Malokini Island, and another time just to watch the whale movie again. Thank you for taking such good care of these sea creatures and for all the work you do in helping injured creatures get back to health and to the ocean. Loved the baby turtles!