Maui Ocean Center Reopens With Health and Well-Being in Mind

January 12, 2021, MA`ALAEA, MAUI, HI – Maui Ocean Center announces a three-phase reopening commencing Friday, January 15, 2021 with Mālama Kekahi I Kekahi (to take care of each other) in mind.

On Friday, January 15, 2021, Maui Ocean Center exclusively welcomes its members, Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual pass holders, to be the first to experience the park reopening. Members receive free admission as part of their membership perks and will need to make reservations with their member number through our new online ticketing system accessed at mauioceancenter.com. If the member does not recall their assigned member number, they may enter their email and our new system will reply within minutes. Members may purchase 2 additional general admission tickets at a 20% discount. A formal email invitation will be sent to all members with email addresses on file.

Members receive a 15% discount in both Maui Ocean Treasures and Reef Café (some exclusions may apply) and for this day only, a 50% discount on the famous Pineapple Dole Whip cup. To become a member and take advantage of this special day and learn more about exclusive membership perks, visit mauioceancenter.com.

All active members prior to March 17, 2020 will have their membership automatically extended for the period of time that the park was closed.

As our way of extending our aloha and mahalo to our Maui nui community, Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, 2021 has been dedicated to our Maui County residents with free admission. Valid Hawai`i identification with a Maui, Moloka`i or Lana`i address will be required upon entry. In addition, a 10% discount will be extended at both the Maui Ocean Treasures world-class gift shop and Reef Café. Reef Café offers casual outdoor dining and Chef Henry will debut a fresh new menu featuring bistro-style salads, sandwiches and wraps with locally sourced ingredients, along with fan favorites such as fresh pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream. A 50% discount will be offered on the famous Pineapple Dole Whip cups this Friday through Sunday. Exclusions may apply.

In addition, in-park guests will have a chance to win 1 of 12 Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual memberships. Follow @mauioceancenter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for details.

General admission at new value-added ticket pricing will commence on Monday, January 18, 2021. Due to capacity guidelines, limited tickets are available daily with no extensions on free admissions.

“We are delighted to welcome back our members and Maui nui community this weekend and I look forward to personally welcoming you”, says Tapani Vuori, General Manager. “Along with taking great care of our marine life during our closure, we took the opportunity to freshen up all areas of the park. You hope you will be in awe of the natural and artful marine life exhibits, and one of my Hawaiian cultural favorites, Kaho`olawe: A Story of History and Healing”, says Vuori.

With the current environment in mind, Maui Ocean Center has implemented government recommendations and enhanced existing programs that support the health and well-being of its guests, team and marine life.

Park Hours: Commencing Friday, January 15, 2021, the park will be open 7 days a week, with hours from 10:00am through 3:00pm. Guest entry via online reservation system is every 30 minutes with last reservation time at 1:30pm. These revised hours give the park opportunity the extra time required to maintain enhanced health and well-being services, including sanitation.

New Website with Online Reservation and Ticket System: Launched last week, mauioceancenter.com boasts fresh new imagery and content, along with captivating videography. Integrated is a new user-friendly ticketing and reservation system in support of capacity guidelines and contactless payments. Easily navigated, tickets are required to be purchased and reservation time preselected in advance. No tickets or reservations will be sold at the front gate. Wheelchair reservations may also be made at the time of reservation, based on availability. Contact information, including email, will be required and guests are encouraged to show their electronic confirmation at gate entry.

Ticket Prices: Ticket prices are now inclusive of general admission and The Humpbacks of Hawai`i Sphere Experience (value $6.95 per person) and non-refundable. Prices below are per person and include processing fees and State of Hawai`i tax.

General Admission including The Sphere Experience
Adult: $38.59
Children (4-12 years): $27.55
Seniors (65+ years): $35.28
Military (adult only): $27.55 (active U.S. military with valid identification)

Kama`āina (Hawai`i Resident with valid identification) Admission including The Sphere Experience
Adult: $27.55
Children (4-12 years): $17.61
Seniors (65+ years): $25.34

Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) Annual Membership
Adult: $121.46
Child (4-12 years): $104.90
Seniors (65+ years): $110.42
Family Flex Pass: $303.65 (includes 2 adults and 2 interchangeable children under 12 years), additional children (4- 12 years) $49.69

Virtual Naturalist Presentations and Park Map: Guests will now have access to our Marine Naturalist presentations and park map via QR codes provided at gate entry and in-park. The virtual presentations allow our guests to watch and listen to the Marine Naturalist at their leisure, rather than a scheduled time format. We highly encourage personal headphones so the guest can enjoy the presentation without disruption and as a courtesy to other guests. Headphones are also available for purchase at Maui Ocean Treasures.

Our new virtual park map offers digital convenience and supports our ongoing commitment to reducing touch points and encouraging sustainable living.

For your Health and Well-Being: Based on guidance from health and government authorities, the following is required of all guests and Maui Ocean Center team members:

1. Thermal temperature check required at gate entry with required temperature less than 100.7 degrees. If one person has 100.7 degree temperature or higher, all members of that party will not be permitted entry.
2. Masks covering the nose and mouth are required to be worn by guests (4 years and older) and Maui Ocean Center team members (with exception of actively eating or drinking)
3. “Follow the Yellow Tang” ground decals one-way pedestrian flow and social distancing markers
4. 6’ social distancing is required at all times
5. Sanitization stations with contactless dispensers are available throughout the park and are highly encouraged to be used frequently (refer to park map for locations)
6. Hand washing stations with contactless soap available in all restrooms and highly encouraged to be used frequently (refer to park map for locations)
7. Contactless payments are highly encouraged
8. Refillable water stations are closed and bottled water is available for purchase at Reef Café
9. Additional requirements may be implemented based on health and government entities
10. Maui Ocean Center reserves the right to not permit entry to any person, for any reason
11. Seascape Restaurant is currently closed.