When I saw that there was an aquarium on Maui, I assumed that it would be small and not have a lot to offer. But I had a six month old at the time and wanted something that she might be able to be interested in. Maui Ocean Center went WAY above and beyond my expectations.
The Ocean Center has some interactive exhibits, but it is mostly a traditional aquarium, with room after room of interesting aquatic life. What sets it apart are two big things. First, the Turtle Lagoon is AWESOME. You can watch from above the pool or go down and look in through a window. Everything is very clean and clear and it is incredible how much you can see.
The most awesome thing about the Ocean Center, however, is the Open Ocean area. One entire huge wall of the aquarium is glass to look through. I sat with my baby on the carpeted floor and we could look up, down and all around and see fish UP CLOSE. Sharks and stingrays were swimming right near the glass. I sat with a six month old for close to an hour and it was fascinating for me and for her.
After you go in this room, there is a tunnel to walk through and sit in (some people were even laying down!) and you can see all around you, just like you were walking through an ocean that was well lighted. It was really cool!
One other place to sit and just watch for a while is the jellyfish room. It is amazing to just relax in this room.
I was so pleased with the Ocean Center. It was worth every cent that we spent to go there and will remain on the top of list of things that are musts for when we visit Maui. You can even have lunch here and shop for quality souveniers.
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