If you love experiencing marine life, Maui Ocean Center is the largest tropical aquarium in the western hemisphere and is a must-see attraction. This 3-acre reef aquarium features tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks.

About Maui Ocean Center

Hours: Open every day including holidays from 9:00 to 5:00. No admission after 4:30. 

Location: 192 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793

Price: $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, $28 for children. 35% discount for residents and military members.

Located on Maui’s western coast, the Maui Ocean Center has loads to offer. If you’re planning a visit you should allow yourself about two hours to experience the exhibits themselves–longer if you’re planning to eat at the center’s Seascape Restaurant or have booked a boat tour.

When you’re planning your visit you should also check out the center’s calendar to know what special events might be occurring such as the Kauhulu Cultural Talk, Read Aloud America children’s event, film screenings, art contests, and educations marine life talks. 

Photo from Maui Ocean Center

Things to Do at the Maui Ocean Center

There are a host of everyday activities to consider as well, of course. The Humpbacks of Hawai’i Exhibit & Sphere, for instance, features audiovisual experience inside the center’s state of the art 3D experience which transports guests into the under-water world of Humpback Whales with footage from two seasons of whale visits. 

There’s also an open ocean exhibit featuring live sharks, stingrays, and schools of fish. You can get a preview of the open ocean exhibit via live webcams here!

Or, head over to the sea turtle exhibit which offers above and below water views of six sea turtles. You’ll definitely want to check out the coral reef exhibit which contains over 40 species of tropical Hawaiian species.

Photo from Maui Ocean Center

There are also two Hawaiian cultural exhibits called A Story of History and Healing and Hawaiians and the Sea which celebrate early Hawaiian culture and history. 

If you’re looking for a bit closer encounter, you can book one of the two tours offered by the ocean center aquarium. There’s a behind-the-scenes tour, which allows you to feed sea turtles and see how the marine life at the center is cared for. There’s also a shark dive experience inside the aquariums 750,000-gallon tank. 

The behind-the-scenes tour costs $15. The shark dive costs between $200 and $250 depending on the package. Both can be booked here. 

RELATED: Five Family-Friendly Activities in Maui

Photo from Maui Ocean Center

Parting Thoughts

A visit to Maui Ocean Center is a great way to learn about marine life, including animals indiginous to Hawaii's waters. And, added bonus - if you visit to the aquarium, you’ll be supporting wonderful causes such as the Ocean Center’s project to grow and introduce artificial coral into the pacific.

Interested in visiting the Maui Ocean Center? Visit on Shaka Guide's West Maui Coastline Tour.