Everything You Need to Know About Maui’s Aquarium

…If you do one thing on Maui, go to the beach. If you do two things, go to the Maui Ocean Center.

Believe it or not, the number one tourist attraction on Maui year after year is the Maui Ocean Center.  Having only opened its doors in 1998, the aquarium already boasts the best collection of indigenous Hawaiian marine life found anywhere in the world.

A complete tour of the Maui Ocean Center will take you anywhere from two to four hours.  Some of the top attractions include a touch tide pool (where you can hold sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and more), an outdoor pen of Hawaiian sea turtles, an outdoor shark lagoon (with reef sharks and hammerheads), and the spectacular underwater walking tube.  The acrylic tube/walkway is built through a 750,000-gallon tank that is full of sharks, tuna, rays, and other large marine life.  Take a seat inside the tube and watch as sharks and spotted eagle rays glide directly over your head.  The unreal setting really makes you feel like you are in the water with the fish.

For visitors who want to get even closer to the sharks, the Maui Ocean Center offers a two-hour tank dive Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.   You must be scuba certified to enjoy this dive shared with more than 20 sharks and thousands of reef fish.

I have been to the Maui Ocean Center at least five times, both during the day and for private after-hour corporate events, and I have never had a dull moment.  You are bound to see something new each time and learn not only about Hawaiian marine life, but also Hawaiian culture.  Adult tickets cost $22.95, and are worth every penny.  Don’t forget to spend some time in the gift shop at the end.  I am not a shop-o-holic by any means, but the huge gift shop has an amazing collection of fun toys, ocean-themed art, and Hawaiian souvenirs.

When you are done exploring the Ocean Center, be sure to walk through some of the Ma’alaea stores.  From shops selling local handmade soaps to shops geared toward surfers and beach bums, you will surely find a store that peaks your interest.  Cap your outing to Ma’alaea with a beer or savory meal at Beach Bums Bar & Grill (Maui’s best barbecue joint).

[Photo source: flavouz]