Maui Ocean Center

All marine life at the center is indigenous or endemic to Hawaii. Hawaii's ocean is showcased in over 60 self-paced interactive exhibits where marine animals live in habitats closely resembling their own natural environments.

Exhibits:

• The Living Reef – The wonder of Hawaii's coral reefs from the rocky surge zone to the edge of the deep reef is realistically portrayed throughout this colorful exhibit.
• Turtle Lagoon – View green sea turtles from above and below at this multi-level exhibit. The green sea turtles at Maui Ocean Center are part of a hatch-and-release program and will eventually be released in the wild.
• Hawaiians and the Sea - The close relationship between the ancient Hawaiians and the Pacific Ocean is told through graphic boards and life-size representations in this inspiring exhibit.
• Sea Jelly Gallery – Watch and be mesmerized as sea jellies appear to dance before your eyes in a stunning floor-to-ceiling cylinder.
• Marine Mammal Discovery Center – This 3,000 square-foot exhibit includes interactive displays and graphic boards on the Hawaiian monk seal, various species of dolphins, and whales found in Hawaiian waters. Experience what it is like to be the krill that is gathered up and eaten by humpback whales in the dynamic Bubble Net exhibit.
• Open Ocean – The vast open ocean is called the "pelagic realm". Graceful stingrays and large, fast-swimming fish like sharks and jacks co-exist in this 750,000-gallon salt-water exhibit, the largest in the state of Hawaii. A 54-foot-long clear acrylic tunnel transports visitors through this pelagic realm providing a 240-degree view of nearly 2,000 fish, while stingrays glide overhead and sharks look you in the eye. Certified divers may enter this exhibit as part of the Shark Dive Maui™ program.
• The Tide Pool – This exhibit holds a variety of harmless marine animals like sea cucumbers, sea stars, and urchins. Visitors are welcome to touch the inhabitants of this display with care.
• Hammerhead Harbor – All sharks and stingray have electroreceptive organs which can detect electrical pulses from living animals. View the unique-shaped hammerhead sharks and an array of fish from above and below at this multi-level exhibit.
• The Discovery Pool – Visit with sea stars, sea urchins, mollusks, sea cucumbers, an assortment of colorful reef fish, and maybe even a hermit crab.
• Reef Café – enjoy take-away sandwiches, salads and ice cream.
• Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant – Enjoy dramatic panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, majestic Haleakala and the scenic South Maui coastline while dining on exquisite cuisine, exceptionally prepared and served.
• Maui Ocean Center Store – Discover not only the widest assortment of ocean-themed toys, music, logo wear, books, Hawaiiana, home décor, art works, fine jewelry and more; but also rare museum pieces.