Things to do nearMaui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii, in Wailuku, Hawaii, offers an immersive window into Pacific marine life, coral ecosystems, and the cultural connections between Hawaiians and the sea.
Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii opened in 1998 and has grown into one of the most respected marine attractions in the United States, with a particular focus on the endemic and native species of Hawaii's surrounding Pacific waters. The facility is organized around a series of interconnected habitats, beginning with shallow reef tanks teeming with surgeonfish, triggerfish, and brilliant wrasse, and progressing into the centerpiece of the experience, a 750,000-gallon open ocean tank that visitors walk through via an acrylic tunnel. Inside that tunnel, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and schools of trevally move in slow arcs overhead, creating one of the most memorable wildlife encounters available on the island.
The aquarium's Hawaiian cultural programming sets it apart from comparable institutions, with exhibits explaining the traditional Hawaiian concept of mālama, or stewardship of the natural world, and the historical relationship between the islands' people and the ocean as a source of food, navigation, and spiritual meaning.
Jellyfish galleries, a sea turtle habitat, and touch pools designed for younger visitors round out the indoor experience. The on-site restaurant offers views of Maalaea Bay and serves food that reflects the local setting. For anyone spending time on Maui, the aquarium provides a thoughtful and visually striking way to understand the marine environment surrounding the island.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Visit during the morning hours when the aquarium opens to enjoy the galleries before tour groups arrive and the light through the tanks is at its clearest.
Try to time your visit around a scheduled feeding or dive presentation, as staff narrate the behavior of sharks, rays, and reef fish up close.
Bring a light layer, as the interior galleries are air-conditioned and can feel cool compared to the warm Maui afternoon outside.
Walk the outdoor tide pool area slowly and look for native Hawaiian sea urchins and small reef fish that are easy to overlook on a quick pass.
Pair your visit with a stop at Maalaea Harbor Village nearby, where you can watch fishing boats come in and pick up a casual meal with harbor views.
Top tours & experiences near Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
Maui Sunset Cruise with Open Bar & Hula Dance
Savor a fresh island feast, open bar, and live Polynesian dance while gliding past Maui’s sunset scenery
Private Snorkel & Sail Charter in Lahaina, Maui
Private snorkel gear and instruction, plus a sail along Maui’s coastline
Snorkel & Sail Molokini Crater From Maui
Sail to Molokini for a morning snorkel with breakfast, lunch, and an open bar
Self-Guided Slingshot Tour of Maui's North Loop from Lahaina
Cruise Maui’s North Loop with built-in navigation on an 8-hour Slingshot rental
Snorkel Molokini Crater & Turtle Arches From Maui
Snorkel Molokini Crater and a second site on a 34-guest catamaran
Sunset Dinner & Cocktail Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor
Sail into sunset views with island music and drinks on a 55-foot catamaran
Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea, Maui
Dine aboard a catamaran as the sun sets over Maui
2-Hour Maui Sunset Sail
Sail into a Maui sunset with drinks and hors d'oeuvres included
Snorkel Cruise to Molokini & Turtle Arches
Snorkel two reefs with onboard breakfast and BBQ lunch
Sunset Stargazing Cruise in Ma'alaea
Cruise at sunset, then learn Polynesian wayfinding and stargaze with an astronomer
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Savor a chef-prepared four-course dinner with a private table as you cruise Maui’s coast at sunset
Snorkel & Sunset Sail Cruise in Maui
Snorkel a reef, then sail into a Maui sunset with appetizers and a bring-your-own-drinks cooler
Honolua Bay Dolphin Snorkel Sail
Sail the West Maui coast and snorkel two secluded Honolua Bay sites
Lanai Dolphin Snorkel Cruise From Lahaina
Sail to Lana'i for reef snorkeling and wild dolphin watching
Maui Sunset Snorkel Cruise
Sail Maui’s coast, snorkel Turtle Reef, and enjoy a grilled lunch onboard
Private Fishing & Snorkeling Charter in Maalaea, Maui
Cast a line, snorkel, and shape your private day on the water
Private 4-Hour Sailing Lesson in Lahaina
Build sailing skills with instruction tailored to your experience
Midday Whale Watching Sail From Mā'alaea Harbor
Sail from Mā'alaea Harbor and watch for humpback whales
Sunset Whale Watching Cruise in Maui
Sip cocktails and listen for humpback songs as Maui’s evening light settles over the ocean
Adult Sunset Whale Watch Sail
Enjoy premium appetizers and whale facts while spotting humpbacks at sunset
Whale Watching Cruise in Maui with Lunch
Experience an unforgettable whale watching journey aboard the Ocean Spirit, Maui’s premier eco-friendly sailing catamaran.
2-Hour Maui Whale Watching Cruise From Ma'alaea
Ride a high-speed catamaran and listen for whale songs
2-Hour Maui Whale Watch Cruise
Watch for humpback whale behaviors from a spacious double-deck catamaran