Maui Ocean Center Reopens in Three Phases Beginning Friday, Jan. 15

Maui Ocean Center, which has been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen in three phases, beginning Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 with Mālama Kekahi I Kekahi (to take care of each other) in mind. Reservations are required.

• Jan. 15: Open to Nā Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual pass holders.
• Jan. 16-17: Open to Maui County residents with free admission.
• Jan. 18: Open to the general public.

Annual pass holders receive free admission as part of their membership perks, but reservations are required by entering their member number through the new online ticketing system accessed at mauioceancenter.com.

If a member does not recall their assigned member number, they can enter their email and the new system will reply within minutes.  Members may purchase two additional general admission tickets at a 20% discount. A formal email invitation will be sent to all members with email addresses on file.  

For Jan. 15 only, members receive a 15% discount in both Maui Ocean Treasures and Reef Café (some exclusions may apply) and 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.  

For Maui residents, there is free admission on Jan. 16 and 17. A valid Hawaiʻi identification with a Maui, Molokʻi or Lānaʻi 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.  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.

Due to capacity guidelines, limited tickets are available daily with no extensions on free admissions.

On Jan. 18, the center is open to the general public.

“We are delighted to welcome back our members and Maui nui community this weekend and I look forward to personally welcoming you,” said 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.  We hope you will be in awe of the natural and artful marine life exhibits, and one of my Hawaiian cultural favorites, Kahoʻolawe:  A Story of History and Healing.”

New Park Hours: It is open 7 days a week, 10 am to 3 pm. Guest entry via online reservation system is every 30 minutes with last reservation time at 1:30 pm.  These revised hours give the park 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 has new imagery and captivating videography. It also has a new user-friendly ticketing and reservation system to support capacity guidelines and contactless payments. 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 Hawaiʻi Sphere Experience (value $6.95 per person) and non-refundable.  Prices below are per person and include processing fees and State of Hawaiʻi tax. Ticket prices are available on the website.

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:

• 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.
• 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).
• “Follow the Yellow Tang” ground decals one-way pedestrian flow and social distancing markers.
• 6 feet social distancing is required at all times
• Sanitization stations with contactless dispensers are available throughout the park and are highly encouraged to be used frequently. Refer to park map for locations.
• Hand washing stations with contactless soap available in all restrooms and highly encouraged to be used frequently. Refer to park map for locations.
• Contactless payments are highly encouraged.
• Refillable water stations are closed and bottled water is available for purchase at Reef Café
• Additional requirements may be implemented based on health and government entities.
• Maui Ocean Center reserves the right to not permit entry to any person, for any reason.
• Seascape Restaurant is currently closed.  For suspended park activities, visit mauioceancenter.com.