Maui Ocean Center

The Maui Ocean Center, known as the Aquarium of Hawaii, offers an interactive, educational, and cultural experience. Delve into the underwater world of humpback whales at the Humpbacks of Hawaii Exhibit and Sphere, a 3D viewing experience and one of the aquarium’s top attractions. View sharks, observe coral reef systems, marvel at green sea turtles, and learn about the history and culture of Hawaii in the center’s many exhibits.

For a deeper dive into the aquarium, join a behind-the-scenes tour with a marine naturalist. Or, literally dive below the surface on a scuba diving excursion inside the Open Ocean tank. Sharks and stingrays are just some of the many sea creatures you might encounter on your dive.

• The aquarium is a must-visit for marine-life enthusiasts who want to learn about the island and its ecosystems.

• Sphere admission is included in the Aquarium PLUS package.

• The on-site Seascape Restaurant serves Hawaiian fare with views overlooking the ocean. Outside food is not permitted at the center.

• The center is wheelchair accessible and easy to navigate with a stroller.

Maui Ocean Center is located about a 15-minute’s drive from Wailuku. Take HI-30 (Honoapiʻilani Highway) South to Kapoli Street in Maalaea and follow signs for Maui Ocean Center. To avoid the hassle of driving, visit the museum on a guided tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

The Maui Ocean Center is open daily and a great rainy day activity. Arrive early to secure parking and explore the aquarium before the crowds.

While it is rare for scuba divers to encounter sharks while diving in the waters surrounding Maui, shark sightings are central to a diving excursion at the Maui Ocean Center. The center offers scuba diving adventures for certified divers in its vast Open Ocean exhibit. The tank features up to five species of sharks, as well as stingrays and fish. Non-divers can watch the divers and sharks through the exhibit’s observation tunnel.

A visit to the stunning Maui Ocean Center can be achieved in a couple of hours; however, you should allow at least a half-day to soak in all the wonders of this incredible marine sanctuary. This is especially true if you plan on doing some of the activities.

There is ample parking around the museum, with the price set at $2 per hour for non-residents. A smart parking system is implemented, which means you pay through a QR code on your phone instead of in the museum. Parking is free for residents and museum members.

Yes, the Maui Ocean Center in Hawaii is accessible to visitors with disabilities. The facility is designed to accommodate wheelchair users, and it even has complimentary wheelchairs available near to entrance for visitors to borrow.

No, you're not allowed to bring food to the Ocean Center, although exceptions are made for children under 2. If you start to get peckish while wandering around, you'll find a restaurant and a cafe offering plenty of food and dining options on-site.

The Maui Ocean Center has taken great care to create a habitat artfully designed to highlight the fascinating world of sharks. Here, you'll find hammerhead, sandbar, tiger, and blacktip reef sharks swimming in the waters of a glass observation tank.

If you want to avoid the crowds, visit on a Wednesday. This is when the aquarium sees fewer people, allowing you to take your time exploring the exhibits and interacting with the marine life. Plus, some exciting experiences like Shark Dive are still available on Wednesdays.