Things to do nearMaui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii

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.