This midsize aquarium showcases Hawaii’s dazzling marine life, including species found nowhere else. The floor plan takes you on an ocean journey, beginning with nearshore reefs teeming with colorful tropical fish and ending with deep-ocean life. The grand finale is a 54ft acrylic tunnel that leads you through a large tank as sharks and rays glide by. Behind-the-scenes tours available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Audioguides $3.
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Maui Ocean Center
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
7.44 MILES
From break of day to twilight, this sparkling stretch of sand is a showstopper. Extending from south Kihei to Wailea’s Mokapu Beach, Keawakapu is set back…
17.37 MILES
For a long day on the beach, it’s hard to beat this crescent-shaped strip at the southwestern tip of Kapalua. Snorkel in the morning, grab lunch at the…
8.79 MILES
Sunbathe like a celebrity at this sparkling strand, which fronts the swish Grand Wailea and ever-posh Four Seasons resorts and offers a full menu of water…
24.34 MILES
Got your camera? This beauty takes its name from the triple cascade that flows down a steep rock face on the inland side of the road, 0.5 miles past the…
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11.9 MILES
The crowning glory of Makena State Park, this untouched beach is arguably the finest on Maui. In Hawaiian it’s called Oneloa, literally ‘Long Sand.’ And…
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Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Overlook
17.75 MILES
You may find yourself standing above the clouds while exploring Puʻuʻulaʻula (10,023ft), Maui’s highest point. The summit building provides a top-of-the…
6.45 MILES
If you’ve seen just one photograph of Maui's lush interior, odds are it was of the magnificently phallic 2250ft ʻIao Needle, the green pinnacle that…
14.7 MILES
Home to West Maui’s liveliest beach scene, this gorgeous stretch unfurls alongside Kaʻanapali’s resort hotels, linking the Hyatt Regency Maui with the…
Nearby attractions
1.21 MILES
This cliffside perch overlooks Maʻalaea Bay, which is a favored nursing ground for humpback whales. Pull over in winter to watch their annual time here…
1.94 MILES
Maʻalaea Bay is fronted by a 3-mile stretch of sand running from Maʻalaea Harbor south to Kihei. Access is from several places along N Kihei Rd, including…
3. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
2.68 MILES
A bird-watcher's oasis, this refuge harbors native waterbirds year-round, and hosts migratory ducks (October to April) and hawksbill and Hawaiian sea…
4. Pāpalaua State Wayside Park
3.06 MILES
This beachside county park isn't as stunning its neighbors, but you will find picnic tables, barbecue grills and portable toilets here. It also has a…
5. Mai Poina ʻOe Iaʻu Beach Park
3.6 MILES
This long sandy beach at the northern end of Kihei is a popular morning launch for outrigger canoes and kayaks. After the wind picks up in the afternoon,…
3.85 MILES
This longstanding tourist attraction is a cross between a farm, a dining destination and a botanical garden. The large gift shop stocks art, aloha wear,…
3.9 MILES
In ancient Hawaii, coastal fishponds were built to provide a ready source of fish for royal families. The most intact fishpond remaining on Maui is the 3…
3.93 MILES
This compact park beside the headquarters for the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a nice spot for families with younger kids. A grassy lawn is…