Maui Ocean CenterThe Hawaiian AquariumAccording to the Zagat survey U.S. Family Travel Guide, this marine park was voted the top-rated Hawaii attraction and one of the 50 top-rated attractions in the United States. Located in the middle of Maui island near Ma'alaea, the Maui Ocean Center sits on a high spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Maui Ocean Center Exhibits
The Maui Ocean Center contains several types of exhibits, including a series of indoor salt water aquariums that introduced us to the varied sea life in the ocean surrounding the Hawaiian islands. Standing in the clear see-through tunnel of the Open Ocean exhibit is like snorkeling or scuba diving - but without the need for any gear.
This marine park let you experience in a few hours what takes days on different Maui tours and trips. You can look for crustaceans in the Tide Pool, observe Hawaiian green sea turtles swimming in the Turtle Lagoon, and watch out for sharks at Hammerhead Harbor. There are also marine ecology and research exhibits.
Maui Ocean Center Humpback Whales
The Maui Ocean Center humpback whale exhibit provides interesting background information on the whales that visit the shallow leeward ocean west of Maui each winter to calve and mate. The exhibit is a good complement to Maui whale watching.
Maui Ocean Center Submarine
We liked the marine research exhibit Makalii. This Hawaii undersea research lab reminded us of the Beatle's Yellow Submarine, and is a lot smaller than the Atlantis submarine we rode in from Lahaina Harbor.
Maui Ocean Center Cost
There is so much to experience that you can easily spend a half day here - well worth the ticket price of $17 for children (ages 3-12) and $24 for adults.
For a few dollars more per ticket, you can get a weekly pass and stop by several times to absorb all the exhibits - they are open 365 days a year 9am-5pm.
Maui Ocean Center Map
The Maui Ocean Center map lets you plan your visit around the park.
This map provides locations and descriptions for Turtle Lagoon, the Tide Pool, Hammerhead Harbor, the Marine Mammal Discovery Center, the Hawaiians and the Sea Exhibit, the Open Ocean tunnel, the Surge Zone, the Living Reef, the Seascape Maalaea Restaurant, and the Gift Shop.
Maui Ocean Center VideoThis Maui Ocean Center video below gives a tour of the highlights of the ocean center. Click on the Play button in the image below to view the video.
Return to Maui Family Vacation from Maui Ocean Center
|
