Maui Ocean Center at a glance
The Maui Ocean Center is an aquarium in Maʻalaea, the harbor village where many Molokini boats depart. It focuses on Hawaiian reef life, which makes it a good first stop before you snorkel or take a boat out to Molokini. It is also a sensible plan for a rest day, a rough-sea day or a trip with young children.
It is open 365 days a year. Prices below are the standard online adult, child and senior tickets as of October 2026, taken from the operator's ticket page. They can change without notice, so confirm the price when you book. This independent guide is not run by the aquarium.
Tickets and prices in 2026
Standard online prices before tax and fees.
| Ticket | Standard | Hawaii residents and US military (ID required) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, ages 13 to 64 | $49.95 | $29.95 |
| Child, ages 4 to 12 | $39.95 | $19.95 |
| Senior, ages 65 and up | $44.95 | $26.95 |
Taxes and fees are added at checkout. The aquarium also adjusts prices when it expects high attendance, so the price on your date can differ from the table. Tickets are not refundable, except with the paid upgrade that the ticket page offers. Ask the operator about children under 4.
Tours and activities near Maʻalaea
Molokini snorkel cruises, whale watching, luaus and day trips across Maui, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours
The regular hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, with the last entry at 4:00 pm. On Thanksgiving, December 24 and December 25 the center closes earlier, at 4:00 pm, and the last entry is at 3:00 pm.
Because the aquarium is open every day, it works as a fallback when a boat trip is cancelled or the weather turns. Arrive close to opening if you also have an afternoon plan.
The phone number is (808) 270-7000. Ask the center about parking before you go.
Guided tours and special events
Extra programs listed by the aquarium for 2026. Ask about prices when you book.
| Program | When | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the Scenes tour | Monday, and Wednesday to Saturday, at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm | 1 hour |
| Hawaiian Culture and Plant Tour | Thursdays, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | About 1.5 hours |
| Fins and Frights | October 24, 2026, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Evening event |
The schedule can change, so check the aquarium's website for the current list before you plan around a tour.
Planning your visit
Buy your ticket online and pick the date before you go, since pricing follows demand. Allow a morning or an afternoon. The aquarium is a good partner to a snorkel trip: it introduces the reef life you may meet in the water.
That matters outside the tank too. In the wild, keep at least 10 feet (3 m) from green sea turtles and 50 feet (15 m) from Hawaiian monk seals, and stay 100 yards (90 m) from humpback whales in the water. Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate since 2021, so pack a reef-safe product for your beach days.
Many Molokini boats depart from Maʻalaea Harbor, so you can combine a morning cruise with an afternoon at the aquarium in the same village. See our snorkeling guide for the rules in the Molokini conservation district. If you want a longer day out from here, the things to do in Maui list has more ideas.
Aquarium or boat trip?
If you have one free day on this coast, the choice depends on the sea and on your group. A Molokini cruise needs a permitted operator, an early departure and decent conditions, and some stops on the cruise depend on the weather. The Maui Ocean Center has a fixed address, a fixed ticket price and the same hours every day, which makes it easy to plan around.
Many visitors do both on different days. Go to the aquarium first if you or your children are new to the reef, then book the boat. If the sea turns rough on your cruise day, you still have a dependable plan B nearby.
Before you go
- Check the ticket price for your date and book online.
- Bring photo ID if you buy a Hawaii resident or US military ticket.
- Remember the last entry: 4:00 pm on regular days and 3:00 pm on Thanksgiving, December 24 and December 25.
- Check the days and times of any guided tour, because most run on set weekdays only.
- Ask the center about parking and allow time for it.
Nearby on Maui
Places that fit well with a visit to Maʻalaea.
Maui Ocean Center: frequently asked questions
How much is the Maui Ocean Center?
As of October 2026, online tickets are $49.95 for adults (13 to 64), $39.95 for children (4 to 12) and $44.95 for seniors (65 and up). Taxes and fees are added at checkout.
What are the opening hours?
9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day of the year, with the last entry at 4:00 pm. On Thanksgiving, December 24 and December 25 it closes at 4:00 pm.
Do Hawaii residents get a discount?
Yes. Hawaii residents and US military pay $29.95 for adults, $19.95 for children and $26.95 for seniors. You need to show ID.
Can I get a refund on my ticket?
Tickets are not refundable, except with the paid upgrade offered on the ticket page. Check the terms before you buy.
Where is the Maui Ocean Center?
In Maʻalaea, the harbor village where many Molokini boats depart. The phone number is (808) 270-7000.