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Nestled along a busy stretch of the road among the souvenir shops and surf-themed restaurants so prevalent in Hawaii's tourist landscape, the Maui Ocean Center in Wailuku is a hidden gem full of educational activities, interesting displays of ocean life, and fun interactive opportunities. The brainchild of a philanthropist and reef biologist in 1998, the Maui Ocean Center began as one of many initiatives around the world for the preservation of reefs and the education of people about reefs.
Preservation and conservation of Hawaii's reefs and marine life are integral to the mission of the Maui Ocean Center, now an aquarium open to visitors. At the institution's core lies the integration of Hawaiian traditional beliefs about the ocean, its care, and the Hawaiian people's history. Visitors will learn not just facts about the surrounding marine ecosystems and how to care for them but how to do these things through the lens of Hawaiian culture. This makes this aquarium not just a fun daytime activity with the family but also a cultural opportunity to learn more about Hawaii and its history and people. So what does a visitor need to know? Read on to find out!
How To Get To The Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is located in the Māʻalaea Triangle, a "village" of shops, restaurants, and other facilities in Wailuku that share a common parking lot. It is less than 15-20 miles away from popular places to stay, like Wailea-Makena and Lahaina.
By Car
By car, it takes about 25-30 minutes to make that 15-20 mile trip from those popular vacation spots. Māʻalaea Triangle offers paid public parking for visitors patronizing any of the businesses within the shops, the Maui Ocean Center included.
It is $2 per hour of parking (which is available in shorter increments) and is registered via the Parklinq app. Once parked, a QR code or signage should be close by to direct visitors to the website or the app to pay for however much time they choose. Parking is not sold at the front gate, so don't forget to pay before going! The aquarium recommends about 2 hours for a stay, so visitors can plan accordingly. The app/Parklinq will text patrons to remind them that their time is expiring and to extend if desired.
By Bus
Given the number of establishments in Māʻalaea Triangle, the area is serviced by the Māʻalaea Harbor Village bus stop. While a variety of bus routes have this stop on their itineraries, depending on a visitor's trip origin point, making that 15-mile trip can go from 25 minutes to over an hour. Some routes, like from Lahaina, are a bit more direct and take just under 40 minutes. The bus is the most economical route, however, clocking in at just under $3 to make the journey.
Tickets & Hours Of The Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center makes itself very accessible for visitors at all times of the year-- it is open every day of the year (including holidays!) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The only exceptions are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, on which the aquarium closes an hour early at 4:00 pm. The last entry is 1.5 hours before the park closes as well.
Adult tickets are priced at $39.95 (ages 13-64), while children cost $26.95 per child under the age of 13, and senior tickets cost $34.95. Often, hotel concierges, tour companies, or even the Maui Ocean Center itself runs special promotions for discounted tickets, so it's worth it to inquire with those organizations if cost is something of a concern.
Activities At The Maui Ocean Center: Are They Worth It?
The Maui Ocean Center has a variety of activities that can appeal to many different ages, physical abilities, and interests. The center also features shopping and dining options for those who wish to relax while others in the family explore the large but manageable park's offerings.
Child-Friendly/Education Activities (Included With General Admission)
- 3D Sphere Experience- Participate in an immersive 3D experience where visitors get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the sites and sounds of humpback whales.
- Turtle Lagoon-Watch playful turtles splash in and out of the water and learn about the role of turtles in Hawaii's history and ecology.
- Open Ocean Exhibit- View stingrays, sharks, and other exciting marine animals all co-exist in this larger-than-life ocean display. Staff regularly hosts "gallery talks" throughout the day, where they teach visitors about these animals. Lucky visitors may even get to see a shark feeding!
- Kaho‘olawe: A Story of History and Healing- An exhibit that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about an island sacred to the people of Maui and how it has been reclaimed for its cultural significance.
Specialty Add-On Activities
- Coral Spawning Events- An annual activity celebrating the natural revitalization of coral!
- AQUARI-OM Yoga Classes- Seasonal after-hours yoga classes in the Ocean Center's "Open Ocean" exhibit.
- Shark Dive Maui- Cage-free dive into the aquarium's "Open Ocean" Tank-- a 75,000-gallon aqua-exhibition space!
Dining and Shopping
- Seascape Restaurant- A completely sustainable restaurant on site with great views of the bay is open for lunch. Reservations are strongly recommended!
- Reef Cafe- As a casual outdoor dining option, Reef Cafe has easy pizzas, sandwiches, and salads for a quick bite to eat.
- Gift Shop-This isn't like any old aquarium gift shop! The shop stocks local, handmade products that highlight Maui's heritage.
It is well worth the break from those lush Maui beaches or your Hana Road trip to visit the Maui Ocean Center. While yes, it is an aquarium with family-friendly activities or a place for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it is also a place where travelers really can learn about and appreciate Hawaiian culture. It is a great reminder to respectfully engage in exploration, whether it be hiking Haleakalā or uncovering Iao Valley. At the end of the day, visitors' ticket revenue supports a great cause, and when paired with Maui's free activities, it makes for a decently economical activity.