Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

šŸ“ Location and contact

192 Maalaea Rd - >96793, Wailuku
+1808-270-7000

šŸ“· Photos from Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

ā„¹ļø Information

Family-friendly, 5-acre aquarium features a variety of species, plus a tide pool & shark tank.

Welcome to the Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii, a fantastic destination to explore the vibrant marine life of Hawaii! Our aquarium is a perfect spot for families and individuals alike, offering a variety of engaging exhibits and opportunities to learn about the diverse aquatic wildlife.

  • Educational Experience: Discover fascinating information about marine creatures, including interactive exhibits about coral, turtles, and whales.
  • 3D Whale Experience: Don’t miss our spectacular 3D presentation featuring humpback whales, a mesmerizing dive into their underwater world.
  • Unique Marine Life: Enjoy viewing an array of local marine life such as sharks, rays, and colorful fish, all in beautifully maintained tanks.
  • Relaxing Atmosphere: The comfortable and family-friendly environment encourages leisurely exploration, making it ideal for both kids and adults.
  • Helpful Staff: Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are dedicated to enhancing your visit and answering any questions you may have.

Experience the beauty of Hawaii’s underwater world at the Maui Ocean Center! We hope to welcome you for a memorable adventure soon!

šŸ•’ Opening hours

  • SUNDAY: 9H-17H
  • MONDAY: 9H-17H
  • TUESDAY: 9H-17H
  • WEDNESDAY: 9H-17H
  • THURSDAY: 9H-17H
  • FRIDAY: 9H-17H
  • SATURDAY: 9H-17H

šŸŽŸļø Buy your ticket

šŸ—£ļø Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii: Reviews

4.6/5 (200 Reviews)
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Hannah Jones 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great aquarium! They also provided a lot of history for Hawaii. Some of the fish display signs weren’t lit to read but the tanks were in good shape & there were a lot of signs to read as it was. They have a cool 15 min 3D whale show that is included in admission. The music that accompanied the text was louder than the speech though. I would go back here.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed your visit and found the history of Hawaii engaging! We apologize for the lighting on some of the display signs and thank you for your patience. It's great to know the whale show was a highlight. Looking forward to welcoming you back!

Dimich Matlash 2 months ago

Positive experience: The Maui Ocean Center is a great place to spend some quality time. We enjoyed all of the exhibits and the atmosphere here. We sat down and stayed a good 30 minutes deep water exhibit, it's very relaxing. The activities and cafe are a nice touch along with the shop. We also attended the 3D showing of whales in the dome, the whole family enjoyed that experience. It's nice to see what the Ocean Center is doing for the state and the oceans but I believe the turtle exhibit is inhumane, four of those large creatures should not be trapped in a tiny tank of that size. To go round in a small circle for life is incomprehensible. We would like to see them given more space at the least. Other than that, the place is interesting and educational.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! It's wonderful to hear that you appreciated our exhibits and had a relaxing time at the deep water exhibit. We understand your concerns regarding the turtle exhibit, and we’ll make sure to share your feedback with our team. We hope you'll visit us again and have another enriching experience!

karla dowdy 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: It's a really good aquarium. The kids enjoyed it. The restaurant was not very good. The food was very bland. Nothing exciting. The waitress was great

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi there! We truly value your feedback and are delighted to know that your kids had a fun time at the aquarium. As for the restaurant, we appreciate your comments and will strive to improve. Hope to see you again for another adventure with us!

Shenghe Bai 2 months ago

Positive experience: This is one of the only places you can visit at Maui. Fun to watch fishes and learn about coral. Not a lot walking and mostly indoor with AC. Plan for 2 hours is enough, and better check the show times so you don’t miss anything or have to wait.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hello! We greatly appreciate your kind feedback and are happy you enjoyed learning about the ocean life with us. It's wonderful you found the time spent with us worthwhile and comfortable. We look forward to your next visit to explore more of our aquarium!

Tami Tufts 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Loved this place! Me & my daughter’s flight was delayed and we were able to get there before they took the last guest of the day. Well worth the drive. The sweet lady at the front was so welcoming and the rest of the staff was very nice. The place is very clean and the animals were very taken care of. Lots of good snacks and they even have Dole whip. They also have a large gift shop area with lots of good stuff:)

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi Tami! We're so grateful for your kind words and delighted to hear you and your daughter enjoyed the visit. It's wonderful to know our staff made you feel welcome and that you had a chance to enjoy the Dole whip and our gift shop. We hope to see you both again soon for more memorable experiences!

Jeremy Bracy 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Love the mission, great information about all ocean creatures small and big. The 3D sphere theater was a huge hit with the kids. And the shark tunnel and open ocean tank was great. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Highly recommend

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Greetings! We're so pleased you and your family had such a wonderful time exploring and learning about ocean life here with us. It's delightful to know that our staff made your visit enjoyable. We look forward to your next adventure with us!

Jessika Whiteside 3 months ago

Positive experience: A nice way to spend the afternoon. Cool concept and nice location. Make sure you book online the day before to save $5 a ticket (they are pricey), and definitely pay for parking.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hello Jessika! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We're pleased you enjoyed our unique concept and beautiful setting. We hope to welcome you back soon for another wonderful visit!

Yvonne Ramirez 3 months ago

Positive experience: This was our second time going to the ocean center. You won’t be there very long as it is small. It’s a good place to see some nice oceanic fish.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We're genuinely grateful for your thoughtful feedback, Yvonne! It's wonderful that you returned to enjoy our oceanic wonders once more. While we're cozy, we hope the beauty of Hawaii's marine life left a lasting impression. Looking forward to seeing you again!

Grisel Marina Vargas 3 months ago

Positive experience: Good options for kids if you have the time. We arrived at 2 and were able to see every exhibition by 4:30. Buy tickets in advance for a little discount.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you for your visit and for sharing your experience with us! We're glad to hear that you were able to explore all our exhibitions. Buying tickets in advance is definitely a great tip. We hope to welcome you back for more underwater fun in the future!

lance mathew 3 months ago

Negative experience: Very small aquarium. Not too many sites to see. They have better aquariums pretty much in any other major US city

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry the experience didn't meet your expectations. We are constantly working to enhance our offerings, and your thoughts are invaluable for this process. We hope you'll give us another chance in the future to provide a more enjoyable visit.

Rick 3 months ago

Positive experience: It was a pleasure to learn about the different items that Hawaii has in their ocean area. They have a display for green sea turtles and another for Hump back whales, the whale display is 3D video.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi Rick! We're really glad you had a great time exploring the fascinating marine life at our center. It's fantastic to know the 3D whale exhibit made a lasting impression on you. We hope to see you again to discover even more wonders of Hawaii's ocean life!

Derek Wong 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great little Ocean Center. Love the two giant tanks and tunnel. The 3D humpback whale experience was neat. You now have to register to park your car. The good thing is locals don't have to pay for parking.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi Derek! We're excited that you had a wonderful time with us at the Maui Ocean Center and enjoyed our two giant tanks and the tunnel. It's great to hear the 3D humpback whale experience left an impression too. We hope to see you again for more marine adventures!

J V 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Nice little detour from the sunbathing and calf building. Had a fun time at this place and also learned alot about the marine life. Pet a few manta rays, grabbed a souvenir from the giftshop. It was a great day.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hello J V! We're so happy you took a break from the sun to visit us and had such a fantastic experience. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed learning about marine life and made some new friends with the manta rays. We hope the souvenir brings back lovely memories of the day. Looking forward to welcoming you again!

Trea Huggs 3 months ago

Negative experience: I go to aquariums everywhere i travel and this is the smallest and most expensive it them all. The gift shop is half the size of all the aq it aquariums. Save your money and go elsewhere.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hello Trea, we truly appreciate your feedback and are sorry to hear that your experience didn't meet your expectations. We strive to offer a unique and memorable visit, and your insights are invaluable in helping us improve. We hope you might give us another chance in the future to explore more of what we have to offer. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!

brandy potter22 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: The Maui Ocean Center was highly recommended to us to take our kiddos to go. They loved it. We spent the whole day there looking around and observing all the animals. We got a free gift, it was a thick card-stock card with animals on it. Really good quality. It ended up being a scavenger hunt for our kids to go around a 2nd time to find the animals on the card. It was so fun. We now recommend it to others. There is a little shop to order lite food and drinks. Also a gift shop.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hello! We're so glad to hear your kids had a blast with the scavenger hunt. It sounds like your family had a memorable day discovering the ocean wildlife! We're grateful for your recommendation to others and hope you visit us again soon.

A l e x 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: This place cannot be less than 5 stars, a lot of work seems done to keep this place awesome! Visit this place, then head to restaurant heaven!

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're absolutely delighted you had such a wonderful visit. Our team is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

Katharine Luce 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: The visit to the Maui Ocean Center was one of the highlights of our trip to Maui! My husband and I had a great time and learned a LOT - it wasn’t just looking at pretty fish. My only notes are you do have to pay to park, it’s both indoors and outdoors so bring sunscreen, and we missed every single presentation in each exhibit because of the time we visited. I didn’t see the timing posted online - maybe the are and I just missed it? Otherwise it would have been great to time our visit around those so we could learn more. But they do have QR codes you can scan to learn more in lieu of the actual employee presentations (which we took advantage of).

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We truly appreciate you sharing your experience with us! We're overjoyed that you and your husband had such a wonderful time and that you found our exhibits both beautiful and educational. We'll definitely look into making the presentation schedules more accessible online for our visitors. We hope you'll return soon for more memorable experiences with us!

Petar Vlasic 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We came here this week on a day we needed to be out of the sun and it was amazing! I think we spent some 3-4 hours, the time flew by, and it is well worth the price of the ticket. Top things that stick out from our visit are: -The staff was incredibly nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. They seemed to truly enjoy what they do. -The aquarium and the tunnel were great with all the sharks, turtles, and all kinds of gorgeous fish! -The 3-D humpback whale movie was a nice little 15 minute dive that also gave a little break from the heat! -Make sure to visit the Cafe and get a refreshing drink, coffee, or a snack! Overall, great experience for the money... very excited we went to see it!

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi there! We're genuinely delighted to hear about your fantastic experience, and it sounds like you had a wonderful time with us. It's truly rewarding to know that you enjoyed both our exhibits and refreshments. We can't wait to welcome you back for another memorable visit!

Vijaykumar S 3 months ago

Positive experience: We had a few hours after checking out of our hotel and before our flight and so decided to go here. It’s a small aquarium compared to a place like the Florida aquarium in Tampa, FL. However, it’s very informative and one can spend a couple of hours here to understand the local marine life in detail. There’s a discount if tickets are purchased a day prior to your visit. It’s a good place for kids to visit.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us! We're happy to know that you found the visit informative and enjoyed learning about Hawaii's marine life. It's great you found the advance ticket purchase discount beneficial. We look forward to welcoming you and your family again!

Kim S 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We stopped in on our last day and on our way to the airport. What a treat! It’s big enough to occupy about 2 hours or so. We loved all the exhibits and aquariums. I love love puffer fishes and they had quite a few! You can tell this place is operating with the love of education and conservation. Parking was $3 per hour through an app. If you buy online one day before, you can save $5 per ticket… overall I definitely recommend it.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us at the Maui Ocean Center! We're so happy you enjoyed our exhibits and found the puffer fishes delightful. It truly means a lot to us that you recognize our efforts in education and conservation. We're looking forward to welcoming you back again soon!

Forest James 3 months ago

Positive experience: Aquarium is neat to check out and they have a lot of cool animals. The 49.00 for a ticket was a bit steep for what was there. If ticket was 30 would recommend

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We truly value your feedback! It's great to know you enjoyed our diverse marine life and exhibits. We understand your thoughts on the ticket price, and we're committed to constantly enhancing the value of every visitor's experience. Looking forward to welcoming you again someday!

Austin Ballard 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: So cool! Lots of beautiful fish and turtles. The sphere theater was cool too!

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

What a delightful review, Austin! We're excited that you found our fish, turtles, and sphere theater cool. Our aim is to provide an amazing experience for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you back for more ocean adventures!

Dawn Prall 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Very nice way to spend a few hours leaning about the ocean and land around Maui. Great for kids but we as adults enjoyed it too. 3d movie was cool. Touch pond was interesting esp if u like spiny and slimy things. Amazing collection of water animals in tanks tied directly to the ocean.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're delighted that both you and the kids found joy in your visit. It's great to hear that you found our 3D movie and touch pond engaging. We hope you'll join us for more ocean discoveries in the future!

Russ Roslewski 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing aquarium! We went on a Wednesday in mid May and it was very uncrowded. Lots of fish to see, impressive tanks, and helpful guides and interesting presentations. About a two-hour visit. Maybe a little overpriced, but everything is more expensive in Hawaii, so about what's expected. Definitely worth it if you qualify for one of the discounts or have reciprocity.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We truly appreciate your kind words and glowing review! It's fantastic to know you enjoyed your visit, especially during a quieter time. Thank you for understanding the pricing – we strive to offer a worthwhile experience for our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back for more ocean adventures!

Ian Zanger 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: My wife and I spent several hours here today and we had a great time. There are plenty of animals to see, a lot of signage with info to read, and many short presentations with staff giving more info and doing Q&A throughout the day. The aquarium isn’t huge but it’s a good size and if you experience it thoroughly you can certainly spend a full day here. The turtles and pregnant sharks were a highlight. I also enjoyed the very detailed exhibit about the history of Kahoā€˜olawe. We also did the Behind the Scenes tour which was wonderful! Dan was a great guide, easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the rehab work they do with turtles and corals. The tour was well worth the add-on price in our opinion.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

We're so grateful for your kind words! Knowing you enjoyed everything from the presentations to the Behind the Scenes tour makes us very happy. The turtles and Kahoā€˜olawe exhibit truly are something special. We’re glad you found the tour with Dan enlightening and fun!

Keith Lewis 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Wonderful place. Great location with beautiful views. The sphere 3D was a very cool experience to see the whales up close. Shark tunnel and turtle tank were other big highlights. We enjoyed it.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you so much for your delightful review! We're overjoyed you found the sphere 3D and the beautiful location to your liking. The shark tunnel and turtle tank are indeed special, and we're glad they added to your experience. Hope you'll visit us again for even more amazing moments!

Luly G-Burciaga 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: It's worth every single penny we paid for parking, entrance, lunch, and some treats. This is a great place to bring the whole family, especially kids. Just maintaining this aquarium and keeping everything in good shape must cost a lot. So people, let us support places like these. Don't go cheap.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

A heartfelt thank you for your lovely review! We're overjoyed that you had a memorable experience with your family. Our team is passionate about preserving the beauty of marine life for visitors like you. Can't wait to welcome you back for another exciting visit!

Kyle Coit 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: A very nice aquarium with exhibits following a path from the shallow reef to the deep ocean. They have a sit down restaurant and more casual grab and go cafe as well.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you for visiting and sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed the journey from the reef to the depths of the ocean. Our team takes pride in creating a wonderful time for our guests, and we hope to see you again at Maui Ocean Center soon.

Bailey Murphy 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: We LOVED our visit to the Maui Ocean Center! Incredible exhibits and well cared for animals. Lots of things to do and see. Tons of education to absorb! Definitely recommend taking the time to take it all in.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hey there! We're absolutely delighted that you had a great experience with us. It's awesome to know the exhibits and educational opportunities resonated with you. Really hope to see you again soon to discover more wonders of the ocean!

Christian 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing time! The wife and I had a great time enjoying each exhibit. Highly recommend anyone visiting Maui.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi Christian! We're so happy you and your wife enjoyed exploring everything we have to offer. Your recommendation means the world to us. Hope to welcome you back soon to experience even more marine magic!

Kelly S. 4 months ago

Positive experience: It's pretty pricy. Nice exhibits. Unique fish that are only seen in Hawaii. It's near to learn about them and then see them when you go snorkeling later. I don't think it's worth the price, but I don't mind giving money to help the local habitat.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Hi Kelly S.! We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. While we understand your concerns about pricing, it's great to know that you found the local fish exhibits interesting. We hope your next snorkeling adventure is fantastic, and thank you for supporting our mission to protect the local habitat.

beauty barman 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: It has lots of corals - different types. It’s educational and fascinating. The Manta rays were breathtaking

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Aloha! We truly appreciate your wonderful feedback. It's delightful to know that the variety of corals and majestic manta rays captivated you. We're eager to have you back for another captivating experience!

Annmarie Doyle 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend the yearly membership. It's a great way to contribute to conservation efforts. The pufferfish, octopus and jellyfish tank are among our favorite. We also enjoy relaxing in the chairs in front of the round window near the open ocean exhibit. Most times the scuba guy cleaning the tank will swim up and show us the shark teeth he collects. And we of course have our favorite seats in the sphere for the Humpback Whale show. All visits always enjoyable. There's so much to enjoy there year round.

Bonnie D 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: We visited 20 years ago, but it's become even better. We arrived about 2 and missed the bus loads of cruise ship tours and schools. We were able to easily view and take our time. If you plan correctly there are short presentations at the main attractions. We really enjoyed the shark presentation. Definitely do the whale show in the sphere. It's short, but was captivating. There's a lot to read which is a bit overwhelming if you try to get it all. The fish are gorgeous and or interesting.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Thank you for sharing such a delightful piece of your visit with us, Bonnie! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring Maui Ocean Center and found our presentations interesting, especially the shark and whale shows. If there's anything else you can think of to enhance your next trip, do let us know. We hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable experience!

Drew G 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: It is very nice and easy to get around. Also if you are a veteran or currently in, they give you a good discount. Overall, it is well worth the trip.

Danielle Cameron 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fun! There's alot to see and I enjoyed the submarine alot. I spent alot in the giftshop when I was done. I wanted everything!

T. Garcia 4 months ago

Positive experience: This is a great way to fill in time between hikes and beaches. Great for all ages. We were there with family. The front desk person got a couple of wheelchairs for our grandparents so that was nice! Cool things to look at and lots of learning about sea life. There were also a couple of locals selling items and teaching about their culture. That was cool to see. Would be nice to have free parking with ticket though.

Matthew Stacy 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: So cool!! Got to see so many fish and the sea turtles were beautiful.

Kelsey Shepherd 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fun place to visit when you want a little break from the Maui sun & learn more about the ocean. The 3D movie on humpback whales was very cool. Tickets online are cheaper than at the door. The puffer fish was super friendly! Loved how they educate you on preserving the ocean’s & environment as well

Steve Legg 4 months ago

Negative experience: I was extremely disappointed with our trip to this aquarium. We have been to many aquarium’s for half the cost with far more interactions for the kids. It was also disappointing to spend money for the overpriced tickets and still have to pay for parking! If you do end up going, don’t stop at the neighboring Starbucks for coffee as they won’t let you in with a drink. You’ll have to buy their coffee! Don’t let your kids get too excited about the free gift either…it’s a card with pictures of fish. I know businesses need to make money but this place is over the top!

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Aloha — We’re sorry your visit didn’t meet expectations, especially since you were looking forward to something special for your kids. Admission covers access to all exhibits and daily presentations, but we understand your frustration about the extra cost for harbor parking, which is separately managed and not within our control. Regarding outside food and drinks, for the safety of the marine life, we follow standard aquarium guidelines, but we realize this can feel restrictive. And you’re right—the free souvenir at entry is a collectible marine life card, which some families really enjoy, but clearly didn’t match your expectations. It is waterproof (and made of crushed rock), which can be helpful when snorkeling. Your feedback helps us improve guest experiences, and we’re already revisiting how we communicate these details to visitors. Mahalo for sharing your honest thoughts; we genuinely appreciate it.

Bryan Stonebraker 4 months ago

Negative experience: Second year we have tried to visit the Aquarium. We are a couple in our 60’s. After 20 minutes of trying to pay to park we finally gave up. You would think they could do better. It shouldn’t be so hard to pay. And at that price it should be included in the admission price.

Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

Aloha — we’re sorry you had trouble with the parking system; we completely understand your frustration. Parking at Māʻalaea Harbor is managed separately by Parklinq on behalf of the Maalaea Triangle Association and unfortunately, we don’t control any of it. We agree that paying should be simpler and are actively sharing guest feedback to push for improvements. If you’re willing to give us another chance, we’d be happy to help you navigate the system quickly. There is a booth on behalf of Parlinq on site, we can also guide through the process at the front gate.

Vivek Damodaran 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: We learned quite a lot about the diverse aquatic wildlife of Hawai'i and enjoyed the many interactive exhibits. We highly recommend the 3D whale experience, it helped expand our appreciation for whales!

ron powell 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fantastic place to learn about our oceans and residents who live in it

Ryan Huebner 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great for the whole family. We have a two year old that loved almost the whole experience. It took us 2 hours but we had rushed a few experiences. 3 hours would be best if you dont plan to eat there.

T Martell 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had a lovely time meandering thru the exhibits. It's quite mesmerizing. Loved the Humpback Whales of Hawaii Exhibit & Sphere.

Amanda Reed 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: A good aquarium to learn about Hawaii's ocean life, as well as some history. Very good exhibits on coral, turtles, and whales.

Kristy ShanYun Chung 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Our Behind-The-ascend tour guide Mary was awesome! We got to see some part of the facility where only for the employees, and it was really educational and informative. Mary was super friendly and perky, and you can tell she is truly passionate about marine lives. Highly recommend to visit and participate the tour!

Florence ā€œFloā€ de Guzman 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: A special day filled with so many fun moments! We bought tickets online. We booked the Behind the Scenes tour at the Maui Ocean Center and Mary our tour guide was friendly, full of facts & FUNTASTIC!! We got to see the Hawaii #turtlerescue & recovery ctr, tour the #corralreef nursery & feed some corral! Then we fed the siblings, and the aquatic nursery fish and saw a young hammerhead shark! The Ocean Center was so interesting and so cool! And the Hunchback Whale display and 3D event was insane! Highly suggest it for a destination!

Sky House 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I’m a teacher at Lāhainā Intermediate School and we just had a 6th grade field trip there last Monday. I thought it was all super neat, very educational, interesting, and hands on. It’s so hot some days it’s nice to be inside cool cave exhibits. The shark tank was a hit, and the rainfall sandbox, as well as the classrooms on whales and Honu turtles . The staff was very nice. Don’t forget to pay to park, locals just need to fill out the app to get free parking. We really appreciate MOC working with our school.

David Rojas 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜… The Maui Ocean Center truly exceeded our expectations! The photos online don’t do justice to this incredible aquarium. Walking through the underwater tunnel with sharks and rays swimming overhead was absolutely breathtaking. My wife and I were mesmerized by the diverse marine life, including species we’d never seen before. The educational displays provided fascinating information about each habitat and creature, making it both entertaining and informative. The 3D humpback whale presentation was spectacular - the dimensional effects made us feel like we were swimming alongside these magnificent creatures! We appreciated the convenient refreshment options available throughout. After our visit, we enjoyed exploring the adjoining shopping area, which made for a perfect day out. This is a must-visit destination for families or couples visiting Maui, offering an unforgettable glimpse into Hawaii’s rich marine ecosystem.

Derrick Hiebert 5 months ago

Positive experience: Great park, compact, but well organized with great exhibits. Definitely not work $50 per adult in my view. I've been to many, equally good aquariums that are pricey (like $30 per adult), but not $200 for a family of four.

Lisa Fry 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Small, but very informative. High cost, but considering the mission, ultimately worth it.

Dakota Duncan 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: The Maui Ocean is a great aquarium experience with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, so you may want to consider sunscreen. The turtles, sting rays, sharks, and scorpion fish were cool to see. Well run aquarium.

Kelly Whitman 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great Aquarium with a variety of sea/marine life. They have an area with just turtles . I highly recommend doing the 3d humpback whale exhibit. It's breathtaking and awesome to view!

Nicole Gerritsen 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: We stop here every time we visit Maui. Seeing the sea life is fantastic and their walk through aquarium tube is so much fun. So much information to learn and so much for kids to do too. Very kid friendly!

Heather Daniels 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: This was a wonderful experience to take our 4 year old on our vacation! The 3D whale experience was truly beyond incredible! We told our son we would be swimming with whales.. and he said.. "just baby ones right?? And I don't have my swimsuit on..." I said "we don't need our swim clothes for this". He absolutely loved it!! He loved the starfish touch pool and he also loved all the fish, turtle and shark exhibits. At the end of vacation he said the aquarium was his #1 highlight of the trip!

Jocelyn B 5 months ago

Positive experience: Okay aquarium, don’t think it’s worth the price though.Book online the day before for it to be 50 instead of 60 onsite. The most interesting part was the 15 min 3D humpback whale show but it was only 15 min, whouldve been worth it if the show was 1hr. For reference, I’ve been to the birch aquarium , seaworld, and Chicago aquarium and just expected more from this one due to the reviews . It was pretty small. We were done within 2hrs and we stopped to take pictures and walked slow. If your on vacation u can skip it and it’d be better to go on a hike or something

savannah victoria 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Did the behind the scenes tour today and it was great! Our guide was Dan, he took the time to get to know everyone's name and ask a little about us. He has great info and showed us all the cool things. We got to feed coral, sharks, turtles and more. Love this aquarium and the extra money for the tour is well worth it. Thanks Dan!

Hani 5 months ago

Negative experience: Very clean and staff was very nice, but WAY OVERPRICED for what they offer. Monterey Bay Aquarium in California which is a world famous Aquarium attraction is around the same entry fee but has WAY more attractions and exhibits. That is my baseline for comparison. Maui Ocean center should be $25 entry fee MAX for what they are offering. We were done here in less than 2 hours. We Kind of feel ripped off. Just for reference we paid for 2 adults and 1 child 8 years old. $172 for Tix and $12 in parking for something that we completed in 1.5 hours. NOT WORTH IT!!!!!

Tianyu Zhu 5 months ago

Positive experience: Fun day for the kids learning about the fish of the ocean! The turtles were my favorite!

Pazz Maraca 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: A Beautiful Ocean Centre, Big Turtles, Lots Of Cheeky Fish, A Octopus Put On A Grande Show For Us, A Hidden Seahorse, Huge Stingray & Amazing Array Of Sharks Our Favourite. Our Daughter 18mths Never Been So Thrilled & Excited In Her Life ~ First Experience For Her. If We Come Back To Maui Or Hawaii From Australia We Will Be Sure To Visit Again.

kelly martinez 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I was not prepared for an indoor outdoor adventure, and it was a hot day but the kids really enjoyed and the 3D show was amazing!! We got to watch them feed the turtles and see my favorites, the jellies. A great vacation break from the pool and beach

shahar bnaya 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: A very nice place to visit for up to an hour. Entry is free, and there is an option to donate to the organization as you see fit

James Tabbert 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: The main shark an giant trevally tank is amazing plus it has a tunnel to walk through and see more of these great fish.

Michael Harris 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing. Paying for admission contributes to coral reef rehabilitation as well as other sea life rehabilitation and release like sea turtles, sharks, sea rays, etc.

Edgar Schmid 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Two hours full of fun. The aquarium is not that big but is really well kept, very informative and some displays are amazing. The gift shop is something out of this world.

Jacqui Dawson 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Beautiful facility! Such wonderful sea life and knowledgeable staff!!

Weller H 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great place to spend a couple of hours if you have kids plenty to Look at there are sharks fish, and even a baby hammerhead. I brought my kids into the gift shop and they found these giant stuffed animal sharks smh. Recommend this place if you have kids who like the ocean

Natalie Monique O. 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Place was smaller than expected. Wasn’t crowded at all in the a.m. pricey without any discounts they do offer senior and military, which is a lot less Make sure to check out the whale experience in the theater. It was pretty awesome for a short flick.

Victoria A 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Maui ocean center is amazing! It's great for all ages, with lots of fish, coral, sharks, turtles and jellyfish to see. There is a pool with starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers that you can gently touch. The 3D humpback whale video is absolutely worth the price of admission!

Doug Kelley 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: We weren’t expecting much from this place—essentially wanted to kill some time before going whale watching. We were put off by the price but decided to visit anyway—we ended up spending five hours looking at the various exhibits! However, a more normal visit would likely be three hours for adults or two hours with kids in tow. Every exhibit is worth seeing and educational but the highlight is the dome 3D movie about humpback whales. The video is so crisp and clear I assumed it was CGI but I was wrong; it’s actual footage of the amazing creatures! The one thing I’d add is the restaurant attached to the aquarium was delicious, reasonably priced, and had an amazing view! It’s worth going to even if you aren’t visiting the aquarium! The one ā€œhackā€ I’d suggest is to park in the marina for $1 per hour as opposed to the aquarium parking lot for $3 per hour. That goes for the aquarium or the restaurant.

The Mckays 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: This place is a must see!!! It's amazing!!!!! Great for kids and adults!!! I learned so much!!! And the staff are really talented!!

Steve Osaki 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Visited March 2025 on a Monday around noon. Cost was about $50/adult for same day admittance. Was very impressed with the quality and depth of the exhibits with tons of fish and corals. Included was a very cool 3D whale experience. Staff were all very helpful and well informed. Several scheduled presentations to learn and ask questions. We moved slowly and spent 3 hours. I was skeptical before going but now I am a big fan of this place.

Bill Lam 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: What an amazing aquarium! I've only been to one other aquarium (Monterey Bay) and this one is heads and shoulders above that one. Their exhibits are unique, highlighting marine life around Maui, including sea turtles and humpback whales. Their 3D viewing experience of the humpback whales in The Sphere is a must-watch.

Kelsie 6 months ago

Negative experience: I do not recommend! It is very expensive for what it is. $120 for two adults. Front desk/ ticket sales staff are rude and seem disinterested. One girl also likes to argue about what price you may have seen online. Plus you have to pay for parking on top of the outrageous cost. Every tank seemed to have the same fish throughout. There were limited displays and more relics and information boards like a museum. The turtles were neat, but that was the highlight. The biggest disappointment was the one sad lonely seahorse they had. It looked so depressed and lost! There was hardly any signage making it hard to know where to go next or find what you were looking for. This could be so much better, but unfortunately it’s very underwhelming!

Nicole Snow 6 months ago

Positive experience: Getting tickets online at least 1 day in advance saves you $10. The aquarium is beautiful. Includes lots of Hawaiian history as well.

Cindy Haberly 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: We visited as a party of 13, five of which were children. There was so much to see and we all loved it. The theater showing of whales underwater was lovely.The gift shops were the best in Maui. The Maui Ocean Center was a highlight of our trip.

Christine Larson 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Our five year old grandson and 27 year old son loved it. When our son turned 18, he dove with the sharks. A forever memory

ŠžŠŗŃŠ°Š½Š° Киселева 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: We visited the aquarium and were absolutely delighted! There is an incredible variety of marine life, spacious tanks, and fascinating exhibits. The shark tunnel and vibrant coral reefs were especially impressive. Everything is well-organized, and the staff is friendly and ready to answer any questions. It’s a great place for a family outing—kids found it very exciting as well. We will definitely come back!

Steve Coates 7 months ago

Positive experience: Nice little aquarium. The 3d humorback whale movie is short and not really worth the time. Nice gift shop.

E 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great experience! Great crew! Conservation & education is the priority. A bit expensive but expected. PLEASE get that seahorse a buddy, he looks so lonely.

Mytchel Chandler 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Took a behind the scenes tour which was worth the extra time! Was short, yet informative. Lots of great information and cool sea life!

Jeffrey Miller 7 months ago

Positive experience: A lot smaller than you’re probably expecting. The whale experience was really cool, and the main shark tank presentation was super informative. Otherwise this is sorta boring. Definitely not worth $50 per person unless you REALLY like aquariums. The restaurant attached is very very good though. tickets are cheaper online & parking is about $15.

May Lor 7 months ago

Positive experience: We loved the aquarium tunnel. There were so many tropical fish to see. We watched a show about whales. It was very fascinating to learn the history and it felt like we were under the sea the whole time. It feels so real like we were swimming next to the whales throughout the show. This is a must see when you're in Maui.

Lindsay 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great aquarium and wonderful workers. Love the scuba diver talks in the shark tank. Interesting and knowledgeable. Turtles, octopus, sharks, tide pool, fish, and tons of living coral. A local artist selling handmade seashell jewelry from shells found at the aquarium told us about Hawaiian traditional net making, etc. Would recommend! Cheaper if you order tickets online.

Ren Rudawski 7 months ago

Positive experience: Lots of ocean animals to see and learn about. Enjoyed our time there.

Jan Block 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Really beautiful tanks of tropical fish, green sea turtles, sharks and amazing coral. There’s a 3D movie about whales that was pretty interesting. We listened to several of the feeding time commentaries which were informative.

JeanYves Daniel 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Today; my wife and I did the "behind the scenes" tour and really enjoyed getting the full breakdown of how the facility operates with our guide Dan. We got to feed turtles, sharks and learn about the process involved with the ongoing coral reef restoration. Afterwards, we wandered every nook and cranny and easily spent more than 2 hours at the aquarium. It easily exceeded my expectations. Absolutely loved the Humpback Sphere experience.

Nance Yuan 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Very lovely center. Even if you snorkel, the exhibits are lovely and add to your experience. The animals are very well displayed and there are good explanations. I learned a lot. Do not miss the whale show. It's a good opportunity to check out and reflect on what whales look like since we normally don't get to see that .

adamltw 8 months ago

Positive experience: A variety of sea life on display. Many exhibits are poorly lit and smaller tanks overall. 3D whale show is impressive. This aquarium lacks the "wow" factor especially given the high ticket price. Parking is an additional $14.

Kyle Pohlmann 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: If you need a break from the beautiful beaches the sand and swimming I cannot recommend a trip to Maui Ocean Center Aquarium enough! Especially if you want a bit more details, the behind the scenes tour is worth every penny. My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to get a private tour (No they don't do private tours there was another party booked for our date that never showed we just got lucky) and our tour guide Kahiau was incredible, super fun and nice and very informative. He happily answered our silly questions and we had a blast. On of the special parts of the behind the scenes tour was the opportunity to feed the sea turtles and the sharks and bigger fish, with the luck we had the tours are planned for max 12 people and with it just being the two of us there was plenty of food to feed the fish. Thank you Maui Ocean Center for having us and well see you again! Aloha!

Eileen Ferro 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Wonderful aquarium. The walk through shark and stingray tunnel was amazing! Must do!

Layna Pepper 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Would 100% recommend the behind the scenes tour with Dan. We got to feed coral, sea turtles, and various shark species. Was amazing to see the work they put in. The 3d whale video was extremely cool

David Pataconi Music 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: One of the best aquariums I’ve been to. Clean, colorful, and lots to experience and explore. All the animals are well cared for, and the caretakers and staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. Great experience!

Jessie Bell 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Was great for my three kids! They loved the shark tube, seeing the turtles, and watching the humpback whale movie in the dome theatre.

Miguel Ramos 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: We loved it! We went for my girlfriend birthday to Maui an since she is a Ocean lover we had to visit. Great experience, we have the chance to touch some animals, learn about turtles and watch a 3D movie! The gift store have a some great catch as the Pandora charms.

Fiona Wang 8 months ago

Positive experience: This is a very small aquarium so I would not recommend to visit it given valuable time in vacation and the more pricey admission ticket. Three turtles swim in circles in the tank. It was sad to see. The coral nursery project is a good endeavor.

Elinor Wojcik 8 months ago

Positive experience: There was a good variety of marine life to view, including lobsters, fish, and even sharks! There are educational and fun activities for all ages. The only downside is the parking, which the price of is not included in the admission ticket.

Di AnnDa 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing place to visit!! It is a small aquarium but takes at least 4 hours to visit all the areas. There was a person playing and teaching how to play the ukelele. Highly recommended. There is 4D movie about the whales , you must watch it

Daniel 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: This was a great experience! I’ve seen other reviews complaining about the prices. Pro tip: If you buy your tickets the day before you want to go then you save $5/ticket. Also, I paid $12 for 5-hour parking. Not bad in my opinion. We’re in Maui. Everything’s expensive lol Highly recommend checking this place out while you’re here!

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