Maui Ocean Center is a public aquarium in Māʻalaea, on the Wailuku side of Maui, showcasing Hawaiian marine life and the largest display of living corals in Hawaiʻi.
This guide was updated in July 2026. A visitor parking fee has recently been introduced at the Māʻalaea lot out front, something many older guides still describe as free. Standard adult admission is $49.95, though Hawaiʻi residents and military with valid ID pay a discounted $29.95. You can book your ticket in advance through Viator to secure the best available rate.
Quick facts about Maui Ocean Center
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 192 Māʻalaea Road, Wailuku, HI 96793 |
| Hours | Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.) |
| Adult admission | $49.95 |
| Child (4–12) admission | $39.95 |
| Senior (65+) admission | $44.95 |
| Nearest transit | Maui Bus, about 20–30 minutes from West or South Maui |
| Typical visit duration | 2–2.5 hours |
Why book Maui Ocean Center tickets?
- 🏛️ Largest coral display in Hawaiʻi: The Living Reef exhibit holds an 18,000-gallon tank of live Pacific corals.
- 🎟️ 3D Sphere included: The Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi experience is bundled into every general admission ticket.
- 🌿 Honu conservation up close: The Turtle Lagoon raises hatchling Hawaiian green sea turtles before their release.
- 📜 Daily naturalist talks: Marine naturalists lead interpretive talks throughout the day, included with admission.
- 💰 Kamaʻāina and military savings: Hawaiʻi residents and military save around 40% on standard admission.
Maui Ocean Center opening hours
The aquarium is open 365 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, hours shorten to 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with last entry at 3 p.m. The 3D Sphere Experience runs every half hour, starting at 10 a.m. with a final showing at 4:30 p.m.
Maui Ocean Center ticket prices
| Ticket type | Standard | Kamaʻāina & military |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (Makua, 13–64) | $49.95 | $29.95 |
| Child (Keiki, 4–12) | $39.95 | $19.95 |
| Senior (Kūpuna, 65+) | $44.95 | $26.95 |
Kamaʻāina rates apply with a valid Hawaiʻi state ID or military ID. Taxes and applicable fees are calculated at checkout, so the prices above don’t yet include them. General admission tickets are non-refundable, though a refundable upgrade is available for a small per-ticket fee. Book in advance through Viator for the best available rate, since prices tend to rise closer to your visit date.
How to get to Maui Ocean Center
By car, it’s about 20 minutes from South Maui and 30 minutes from West Maui, making driving the fastest option. By bus, take route #28 to #20 from the West side, or route #10 to #15 from the South side. Get off at Māʻalaea Harbor Village and walk about 0.3 miles. Buses run infrequently, so check the schedule before you set off. Uber and Lyft also operate across Maui and can drop you directly at the front gate.
Parking at Maui Ocean Center
Parking is no longer free for most visitors. The lot in front of the aquarium is managed by an independent company. Payment must be made by scanning the QR code on the parking signage, not at the Maui Ocean Center gate. Standard visitor parking costs $3 per hour. Kamaʻāina drivers get up to five hours free before charges apply, and registered members park free in a dedicated area.
How long to spend at Maui Ocean Center
Plan for two to two-and-a-half hours to see all the exhibits and the 3D Sphere at a comfortable pace. Visitors who want lunch at the on-site restaurants or time in the gift shop should allow a little extra.
Maui Ocean Center accessibility
The aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible, with flat, paved pathways connecting every exhibit and building. Wheelchairs are stroller-friendly throughout, and rental wheelchairs are available on-site based on availability. Accessible parking is provided near the entrance, and the main entrance has no steps or stairs.
What to see inside Maui Ocean Center
Open Ocean Exhibit. Home to more than 50 species of fish, including sharks and Hawaiian broad stingrays. A 360-degree underwater tunnel puts you face to face with the biodiversity above and around you.
Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi Exhibit and Sphere. A multi-sensory 3D film brings visitors eye to eye with humpback whales, using 4K imagery and 7.1 surround sound. It’s included with general admission, though recommended for ages four and up due to sound levels.
Living Reef Exhibit. An 18,000-gallon tank replicates a natural coral reef, with branching, brain and fan corals supporting a dense community of reef fish and invertebrates.
Turtle Lagoon. Up to six Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, live here while the centre raises them from hatchlings for roughly two years before release into the wild.
Kahoʻolawe: History and Healing. Developed with the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, this exhibit traces the island’s cultural significance and its ongoing ecological restoration.
Hawaiians and the Sea. Artefacts, tools and artwork illustrate how early Hawaiians fished, navigated and lived in connection with the ocean.
Practical visitor tips for Maui Ocean Center
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets in advance | Rates tend to rise closer to your visit date, so advance booking is recommended for the best price. |
| Pay for parking by QR code, not at the gate | The lot is run by a separate company; unpaid sessions risk a ticket or being towed. |
| Visit after 1 p.m. for fewer crowds | Peak attendance runs from morning through lunchtime. |
| Save the Sphere for ages 4 and up | The 3D Humpbacks experience is recommended for children aged four or older due to sound levels. |
| Plan around the Behind the Scenes Tour | It runs five days a week and needs a minimum of five participants to go ahead. |
Maui Ocean Center FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, with last entry at 4 p.m., except shorter hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. |
| Do I need to pay for parking separately? | Yes, standard visitors pay $3 per hour via QR code, unless they qualify for kamaʻāina or member parking. |
| Is the 3D Sphere included in my ticket? | Yes, it’s included with general admission and recommended for visitors aged four and up. |
| Are tickets refundable? | General tickets are non-refundable, though a refundable upgrade can be added for a small fee. |
| How long should I plan to stay? | Most visitors spend two to two-and-a-half hours exploring the aquarium. |
Things to do near Maui Ocean Center
Māʻalaea Harbor is a short walk from the aquarium, with whale-watching and snorkel boats departing throughout the day.
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a short drive away, with boardwalk trails through a coastal wetland popular with birdwatchers.
McGregor Point Lookout is a short drive along the coast, a favourite spot for shore-based whale watching during winter months.
Wailuku town is a short drive inland, with a historic main street of local shops, murals and family-run restaurants.
Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului offers a short drive to Maui’s largest shopping mall, useful for a rainy-day errand or meal.
What to visit tomorrow
Maui Ocean Center is the island’s only public aquarium, so genuine same-type alternatives mean an inter-island flight, roughly two hours door to door from Kahului.
Waikiki Aquarium on Oʻahu is a compact, research-run aquarium beside Kapiolani Park, notable for its coral, seahorse and jellyfish displays.
Sea Life Park Hawaii, also on Oʻahu, is a marine park with dolphin and sea lion shows alongside its Hawaiian Reef Aquarium.
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island) is a free, NOAA-run education centre focused on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands’ marine environment.
