Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii — Attraction in Maui

We visited the Ocean center on our last day in Hawaii because we wanted to stay dry. 😉 We purchased tickets online the day prior. We checked in by name, which surprised me a bit. We spent from 11:30-5 pm, including leaving for an hour for a lunch break. There’s a high end restaurant that encourages reservations and a small grab and go type place for food, but my family wanted something different. We asked if we could leave and return and they said it was no problem. We paid for 5 hours of parking for $12. It’s by license plate so I also didn’t need to worry about leaving and returning.

The exhibits were mostly inside where it was air conditioned and comfortable. We had lots of time, so we spent a lot of time reading all the information on all the species, learned a lot about conservation and thought they had a nice flow. The highlight was definitely the deep sea area with the huge tank with the sharks, rays, large fish, etc. The tunnel was cool where you had sharks and rays swimming above your head and even a glass bottom portion to view the one type of shark that likes to hang out at the bottom. We listened to the naturalist talk in this exhibit and it was very informative! I wish we had timed it better to listen to more of the talks. There was plenty of seating to sit and take a rest while taking in all the ocean animals.

We also really enjoyed the 3D humpback whale show. It was short, but it felt like you were swimming with the whales.

We finished the day in the gift shop. Usually, they’re pretty standard and small but we were impressed with the unique items, wide variety of items and not outrageously priced. They had a little something for everyone with things like clothing, jewelry, books, mugs, kitchen, specialty foods and even fresh fudge.

Entry was expensive but we made a day of it and understand their efforts for education and conservation, so it...

My visit to the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium was an enjoyable experience, but it left me with mixed feelings. The aquarium itself is beautifully maintained, showcasing a wide variety of marine life that is both fascinating and visually stunning. The weather was perfect, which added to the overall pleasant atmosphere of the day.

The exhibits are well-designed, and the marine life is truly a sight to behold. From colorful tropical fish to mesmerizing jellyfish and graceful sea turtles, the displays offer a captivating glimpse into the underwater world surrounding Maui. The aquarium's dedication to conservation and education is commendable, making it a great place to learn about the ocean's delicate ecosystems.

However, the price of admission did feel a bit steep, especially for a group of adults. While the experience is certainly unique and the fish are pretty, it was hard to justify the cost. For the price, I expected a bit more in terms of interactive exhibits or added value. The aquarium is relatively small, and we found ourselves completing the tour quicker than anticipated.

Despite the cost, the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium is still worth a visit, especially if you have a keen interest in marine life. It's a wonderful place to appreciate the beauty of the ocean and learn more about Hawaii's aquatic environments. Just be prepared for the ticket price, and perhaps consider visiting during a special event or discount period if budget is a concern.

In summary, the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium offers a visually stunning and educational experience, though the price may be a bit high for some visitors. If you love marine life and are willing to invest in the experience, you'll likely enjoy...

Maui Ocean Center is one of the best aquariums I have visited from many aquariums all over the world. I have visited Jacques Cousteau's in France which is memorable, however, it needs a major update. Maui Ocean Aquarium wins handsdown, "The Best" for me! One of the major reasons I love this aquarium as they really focus on conservation throughout all the exhibits about the waters of Maui and they really make an effort to protect the species that inhabit on & offshore. Especially bringing about awareness of what kind of suntan lotion is acceptable to use for swimming or snorkeling in the tide pools or coral reefs. They are enforcing this protective law all around the island!! Thank Goodness for that!! One of new features is in the dome that features a 3-D show about the Humpback Whales that migrate to the waters off Maui, Lanai & Molokai to give birth, nurse their young & to mate. You actually feel you are one with a Humpback 🐋 in this film. The aquarium features a large variety of popular tropical fish that are known habitants around the islands of Hawaii. They also feature the turtles that are protected areas around the island of Maui. Several areas that kids enjoyed are the large tank w/ various local fish, the octopus which you have to really find in the tank, the huge tank that has local sharks, manta rays & open ocean fishes. Also volunteers have activities for kids to do throughout the aquarium. This is #1 visitor's place to visit on the...