The Maui Ocean Center opened on March 13, 1998, in Maalaea Harbor on Maui’s south shore, quickly establishing itself as one of Hawaii’s premier marine attractions. Operated by Coral World International, the facility set itself apart from typical aquariums with a singular focus: every creature on display, from reef fish to sharks, is native to Hawaiian waters.
Spread across roughly three acres, the center centers its experience on the Open Ocean exhibit, a 750,000-gallon tank viewed through a long acrylic tunnel where sharks, rays, and schooling fish glide overhead. The park pairs its living exhibits with Hawaiian cultural storytelling, tying the marine displays to Native Hawaiian traditions and the islands’ deep relationship with the sea.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Maalaea, Maui, Hawaii
- Opened: March 13, 1998
- Size: About 3 acres
- Largest Tank: 750,000 gallons (Open Ocean exhibit)
- Coral Species: Over 40 Hawaiian coral species on display
- Famous For: Only aquarium exhibiting exclusively Hawaiian marine life
What Makes It Different
Unlike most aquariums that source animals globally, the Maui Ocean Center displays only species found in Hawaiian waters. Visitors move through themed galleries including the Living Reef, home to dozens of coral species, and the Turtle Lagoon, where sea turtles recover before being returned to the ocean through the center’s partnership with NOAA Fisheries.
The Open Ocean exhibit is the centerpiece, letting guests walk through a submerged acrylic tunnel roughly 54 feet long as sharks, rays, and reef fish circle above and around them, offering a 240-degree view of the tank.
Conservation and Culture
The center maintains one of the country’s few land-based coral nurseries and holds an extensive gene bank of Hawaiian coral used for restoration research. It also weaves Native Hawaiian cultural perspectives into its exhibits, including displays on the historic relationship between Hawaiians and the ocean.
In line with a County of Maui ordinance, the facility does not display dolphins or other cetaceans, distinguishing it from many other commercial aquariums and marine parks.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Maui Ocean Center FAQs
When did the Maui Ocean Center open?
It opened on March 13, 1998, in Maalaea Harbor on Maui.
Does the Maui Ocean Center have dolphins?
No. A County of Maui ordinance prohibits the facility from exhibiting dolphins or other cetaceans.
What is the largest tank at the Maui Ocean Center?
The Open Ocean exhibit holds about 750,000 gallons and features an acrylic viewing tunnel roughly 54 feet long.
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Photo: Richard N Horne / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.