Frequently Asked Questions

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

As of May 28, 2021 park hours have been expanded to 9:00am to 5:00pm. Advance online ticket purchases and reservations are 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 an afternoon reservation 1 p.m. and thereafter.

As of April 30, 2021 park hours have been expanded to 9:00am to 5:00pm, with final reservation entry at 3:30pm. Please be aware that we close promptly. 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, must be consumed outside of the park and at least thirty feet from any windows or doors.

Based on government and health authority recommendations the following protocols are required for the comfort and well-being of our guests and staff:

Advance ticket purchase and reservation time
Reservations ensure we can meet reduced capacity guidelines and conduct contactless payments.

Face masks worn at all times when indoors
One-way pedestrian park flow, adhering to 6’ social distancing markers
Just follow the yellow tang fish!

These additional protocols are recommended:

View park maps through your mobile device via QR Code. Just scan the QR code with your mobile device camera or QR APP

Listen to Virtual Marine Naturalist presentations via QR Code; headphones required
Please bring your personal headphones or purchase at Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop.

Use the anti-bacterial stations throughout the park
Please refer to the park map for outdoor anti-bacterial stations and indoor restrooms offering anti-bacterial soap. We highly encourage healthy habits!

Protective, clear acrylic cashier stations offer contactless payments.

No tickets or reservations will be sold at the front gate. Tickets are required to be purchased and reservation time preselected in advance. We have a new user-friendly ticketing and reservation system through our website in support of capacity guidelines and contactless payments.

Yes! Advance reservations are required and scheduled every 30 minutes. The last reservation is at 3:30pm.

Tickets must be purchased online, in advance. Tickets are date and time specific to control the park capacity. We offer individual ticket pricing for Adults, Children (4-12 years) and Seniors (65+ years). Tickets are non-refundable.

Nā Hoa Kai Members must input their VIP code when making reservations. If you need this code resent to you via email, please contact us at aloha@mauioceancenter.com.

We offer a discounted ticket price for kama‘āina (residents) and active U.S. military members. Please present valid identification at entry.

No. Reservations serve to stagger park entry, not to serve as a time limit. However, you may enter up to 10 minutes prior to your reservation time, and up to 20 minutes after your reservation time.

Admission to the park for up to 2.5 hours and the Humpbacks of Hawai`i virtual Sphere Experience (a limited time offer; value $6.95 per person), and complimentary parking.

You are welcome to enter the park up to ten minutes prior to your reservation time and twenty minutes after your reservation time. If you are running late--beyond twenty minutes of your reservation time—you forfeit your entry. We will try to accommodate you at the next available time, this is not guaranteed. If the next reservation time is sold out, we will offer you another day 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 purchaser’s address, mobile phone number and email is required upon ticket purchase. This will enable us to forward your ticket and reservation e-confirmation, and be on file should contact tracing be necessary.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover

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

Complimentary wheelchairs can be reserved in advance and picked up upon check-in on a first-come, first served basis with option found in your on-line ticket purchase process. Availability is limited. Maui Ocean Center is ADA compliant. Strollers are currently not available.

Service dogs that are individually 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 navigate to our Buy Tickets page for our current senior ticket pricing for those 65+ years. We encourage our seniors 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 less crowds in these months during the late afternoon.

Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual memberships may be purchased online. We will not be selling memberships at the front gate. Visit our Membership page for a list of the great benefits and prices.

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 during your visit via QR code. Bring your smartphone mobile device and simply scan the code with your camera or preferred QR scanner. We recommend bringing your own headphones or purchasing a pair at the Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop.

Launched June 2021, join us for Ocean Aloha, go green for blue, Maui Ocean Center’s island-based marine conservation program in support of further education our visitors and residents the important of caring for our natural resources. Visit our island cultural practitioners for storytelling, demonstrations and interactive learning opportunities. Keiki (children) can also enjoy edu-tainment with our 8 year old Maui Keiki Ambassadors, Imani and Liam via a giant monitor, located at the Lauwai. Ocean Aloha

Makai Theater.

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 aquarium.

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 cancelled 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 Hawai‘i’s humpback whales. For a limited time, the Sphere Experience is included in your ticket price (a $6.95 per person value). Performances start every half hour on a first-come, first-served basis and last 12 minutes. The final showing starts at 4:00 p.m. No reservations required. To accommodate social distancing guidelines, attendance is limited per showing.

There are two dining options available: Seascape Restaurant offers outdoor seating, harbor views, and award-winning cuisine and cocktails, and Reef Café, located at the center of the park, serves fresh bistro-style salads, sandwiches and refreshments. Enjoy socially distanced outdoor seating and don’t forget to order a Pineapple Dole Whip!

While seated and consuming food and/or beverages, you are welcome to remove your face mask.

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

Due to recommended safety guidelines, refillable water stations are not available. Water is available for purchase at the Reef Café.

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

Want to pitch in for our oceans and marine life? We’ll reward your efforts! Pick up an empty clean-up bag at Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop, fill it up with beach garbage and recyclables, and return it for a free Maui Ocean Center recyclable shopping bag.

Yes! Our world-class gift shop, Maui Ocean Treasures, offers island-style marine-themed gifts.

To accommodate social distancing guidelines, please wait outdoors until you are invited in. We encourage customers to refrain from touching of products unless they intend to purchase. Sales representatives are happy to assist you.

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

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 Hawai‘i art and indulge in Maui’s own Fin-Tastic Fudge. Visit Maui Ocean Treasures’ Support Sustainability department featuring a selection of products to support our future generations.