Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! As of January 18th, 2021, Maui Ocean Center is open to the public.

Park hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, with final reservation entry at 3:30 pm. The front gate closes at 4 pm, and the park closes promptly at 5 pm. The last Sphere Experience showing is at 4 pm.

As of April 1, 2022, a visitor (non-resident) parking fee of $2 per hour (available in increments) or $7 per day has been implemented at Māʻalaea Triangle, where Maui Ocean Center is located. Upon arrival, park in the parking lot immediately in front of Maui Ocean Center. From there, scan the QR code on the nearest paid parking sign with your smartphone and follow the prompts on your device to proceed to payment.



Parklinq will ask for your preferred length of parking time, contact information (name, email address, and mobile number), and your license plate number and credit card information. After completing your payment, a text message will be sent as confirmation. 15 minutes prior to time expiration, a text reminder asking if you wish to extend your parking time will be sent. If you do not have a smartphone, you may reach Parklinq's Customer Service at 808.517.5017.

All guests with an active and valid ADA placard may park in the designated ADA parking areas free of charge.

For Nā Hoa Kai Members:

Please follow this link for more information about becoming a member: Membership. Members receive complimentary parking by directly registering their vehicle/s one-time with Maui Ocean Center. After registering, members may park in the designated membership parking area. If you are a Nā Hoa Kai member, please contact membership@mauioceancenter.com or 808.270.7000. If membership expires, free membership parking will be automatically concluded.

For Kamaʻāina (full-time Hawaiʻi residents): :

All residents of the State of Hawaiʻi are provided complimentary parking within the designated kamaʻāina parking lot. After parking, residents must text their license plate number to 808.213.0223 upon each visit for verification. Name and other details are not required.

A visit typically takes 2-2.5 hours, but you can enjoy much of what we have to offer in a shorter amount of time.

Peak attendance typically occurs in the morning. If you prefer increased social distancing, we recommend visiting in the afternoon (1 pm or later).

Park hours are 9 am to 5 pm, with final entry at 3:30 pm. Advance online ticket purchases and reservations are recommended. Please be aware that we close promptly and allow yourself enough time to view exhibits and presentations at your preferred pace.

Maui Ocean Center is proud to be a smoke-free facility. In compliance with State of Hawai‘i law, smoking, including electronic cigarette and vaping devices, is only permitted outside the park and at least thirty feet from any windows or doors.

To and from Maui Ocean Center: From your resort, options include taxi, Uber, Lyft, and The Maui Bus.

To and from Kahului Airport: The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation have launched the Maui Aloha Shuttle, a pilot program that runs three times a day from Kahului Airport to West Maui and Wailea resort areas, with tickets available for purchase at a counter by the airport baggage claim. Costs are $50 to West Maui, and $35 for Wailea stops.

Maui Ocean Center has and will continue to follow government and health authority mandates and recommendations.

ADMISSION:

• Tickets must be purchased online, with reservation times selected in advance. Tickets
• No tickets or reservations will be sold at the front gate.
• Complimentary wheelchairs can be picked up upon check-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is limited.
• Ticket prices are now inclusive of general admission and The Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi Sphere Experience.
• Contact information, including email, will be required, and guests are encouraged to show their electronic confirmation at gate entry.

UPON ENTRY:

• As of March 26, 2022, face masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors, but are still strongly encouraged, along with social distancing and sanitation.


IN-PARK:


• Digital park map access is available via QR code to support our ongoing commitment to reducing touch points and encouraging sustainable living.
• Virtual Marine Naturalist presentations and virtual park maps are also provided via QR code to allow guests to watch and listen to marine naturalists at their leisure rather than in a scheduled time format.
• Personal headphones are highly encouraged to enjoy the presentation without disruption and as a courtesy to other guests. Headphones are also available for purchase at Maui Ocean Treasures.
• Sanitization stations with contactless dispensers are available throughout the park (refer to park map for locations).
• Hand washing stations with contactless soap dispensers in all restrooms (refer to park map for locations). Contactless payments are highly encouraged.




Additional requirements may be implemented without notification based on recommendations or mandates from health and government officials.

Maui Ocean Center reserves the right to refuse entry to any person for any reason.

Tickets are sold at the front gate. Tickets may also be purchased online, and reservation time can be selected in advance.

No. However reservations are recommended. Tickets may be purchased online, and entry times are scheduled every 30 minutes. The final reservation slot is at 3:30 pm.

Tickets may be purchased online, in advance. We offer individual ticket pricing for Adults, Children (4-12 years), and Seniors (65+ years). Tickets are non-refundable.

Nā Hoa Kai Members are not required to make reservations in advance.

We offer a discounted ticket price for kama‘āina (residents) and active U.S. military members. Valid identification is required upon entry.

No. Reservations serve to stagger park entry, not to serve as a time limit.

Admission to the park and the Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi 3D Sphere Experience.

You are welcome to enter the park up to ten minutes before your reservation time and twenty minutes after your reservation time. If you arrive more than twenty minutes after your reservation time, we will try to accommodate you at the next available time, but this cannot be guaranteed. If the next reservation time is sold out, we will offer another date and time — however, a processing fee may be applicable. If you are not able to reschedule, your entry fee is not refundable.

Full contact information, including the ticket purchaser’s address, mobile phone number, and email, is required upon ticket purchase. This will enable us to send your ticket(s) and confirmation email!

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Maui Ocean Treasures accepts cashless payment methods only (card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay).

Aquarium admission is not required to shop at Maui Ocean Treasures, or to dine at Seascape Restaurant or Reef Café. Please check in at the admission gate. You will be asked to provide your contact information and will be given access to shop and dine for up to one hour.

Complimentary wheelchairs can be picked up upon check-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is limited. Maui Ocean Center is ADA compliant. Strollers are currently not available.

Service dogs that are trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities are absolutely welcome. Per the ADA, dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals. For more information, visit ADA.gov.

We sure do! Please refer to our Buy Tickets page for current senior ticket pricing for those 65+ years. We encourage seniors seeking fewer crowds to attend the park during Maui’s shoulder seasons of January, May, September, October, early November, and the first week of December. Generally, there are fewer crowds in these months during the late afternoon.

You absolutely can! Donations will go directly towards Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI), a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to inspire lifelong environmental stewardship and ensure the survival of coral reefs and sea turtles in Hawaiʻi through science-based conservation efforts, education, and outreach.

There are three ways to donate to the Marine Institute while visiting Maui Ocean Center: donate via credit card at Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop, "round up" your purchase at Maui Ocean Treasures, or donate directly through this form. All donation proceeds directly fund MOCMI's mission of restoring Hawaiʻi's reefs and rescuing and rehabilitating Hawaiian green sea turtles.

Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual memberships must be purchased online. Visit our Membership page for pricing information and a complete description of the wonderful benefits you'll receive as a member!

Our knowledgeable marine naturalists provide in-person presentations at various exhibits throughout the day. Be sure to bring your questions!
Guests may also tune in to virtual marine naturalist presentations at any time via the QR codes posted at exhibits throughout the park. Bring your smartphone mobile device and scan the QR code to access expert information anytime. As a courtesy to other guests, we recommend bringing personal headphones or purchasing a pair at Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop.

In June of 2021, we launched Ocean Aloha, go green for blue, Maui Ocean Center’s island-based marine conservation program. With Ocean Aloha, we focus on further educating our visitors and residents on the importance of caring for our natural resources. Visit our island cultural practitioners for storytelling, demonstrations, and interactive learning opportunities. Keiki (children) can also enjoy video edutainment with our 8-year-old Maui Keiki Ambassadors, Imani and Liam, in the shaded outdoor Lauwai area. Ocean Aloha

Our marine naturalists love sharing ocean education with our guests! Catch presentations daily at locations throughout the aquarium, or learn more virtually by scanning our virtual presentation QR codes at various locations throughout the park.

Presentation Schedule:*
Shallow Reef: 9:30, 10:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30
Blacktip Sharks: 10:15, 12:00, 3:15
Open Ocean: 11:00, 3:00

*We exhibit marine animals in realistic, natural environments and feed them according to their needs; therefore, regularly scheduled feedings are not guaranteed, and presentations may be canceled without notice.

Maui Ocean Center respectfully complies with the County of Maui ordinance prohibiting the exhibit of cetaceans (whales and dolphins). We invite you to visit our Humpbacks of Hawai‘i Exhibit and Sphere Experience for an in-depth look into their deep-sea realm.

Maui Ocean Center’s newest exhibit is an astonishing, virtually immersive experience that brings you eye-to-eye with Hawaiʻi’s humpback whales. The Sphere Experience is included in your ticket price (a $6.95 per person value). Showings begin every half hour on a first-come, first-served basis and are 12 minutes long. The final showing begins at 4 pm. No reservations are required.

We have two sustainable dining options available: Seascape Restaurant and Reef Café. Seascape Restaurant offers outdoor seating, harbor views, and award-winning cuisine and cocktails. Reef Café is located at the park's center and serves fresh bistro-style salads, sandwiches, and refreshments. Enjoy shaded outdoor seating, and don’t forget to order a Pineapple Dole Whip!

Outside food or beverage is not permitted at Maui Ocean Center. Exceptions are made for toddlers (under 2 years), school groups (with prior approval), and those with special medical needs. Please see a park entrance attendant for more information. No chewing gum is permitted in the park.

Absolutely! Please dispose of garbage and recyclables at designated bins throughout the park. We donate redemption refunds to Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI), a 501©3 non-profit organization that supports sea turtle rescue and recovery efforts. For more information about MOCMI, visit MOC Marine Institute.

Yes! Unique Made-in-Hawaiʻi and marine-themed treasures are available at Maui’s world-class gift store, Maui Ocean Treasures. Shop artful collectibles, island spa luxuries, eco-friendly solutions, educational toys, and so much more.

Absolutely. Headphones in various styles and price points are available for purchase at the Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop.

Yes! Maui Ocean Treasures offers a variety of face mask styles and price points, including marine-themed masks.

We are the only Maui retailer offering Pandora collectible jewelry. Peruse our extensive collection of made-in-Hawaiʻi art and indulge in our housemade Fin-Tastic Fudge. Visit Maui Ocean Treasures’ Support Sustainability department featuring a selection of products that support marine conservation for our future generations.