The Maui Ocean Center in Wailuku is an oceanography and marine science center located on the beautiful island of Maui in Hawaii. Opened in March 1998 by Coral World International, this 3 acres marine aquarium center is the biggest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, with a capacity to house 50 plus exotic species of tropical fish. It was named such because of the reef, which is situated in a deep part of the seafloor between the islands of Maui and Oahu. The reef has a thickly populated coral growth and is home to a large variety of sea life. This is also where you will see Maui’s Big Ear Fish.
There are several types of marine animals you can see in the Maui Ocean Center; however, there is something else that is special about this marine sanctuary. Called the Rainforest Reef, it is made up of two portions namely the North Bank and South Bank. Both banks are separated by a breakwater and the majority of the reef is made up of a large number of rocks. The main focus of the Rainforest Reef is to provide a place for different types of fish to live including corals, sponges, and a variety of tropical fish.
In addition to the various species of fish that can be found in the Maui Ocean Center, one other thing you will find here is the Rainbow Trout. These are fish from Hawaii that have been bred in captivity. As you walk through the center, you will notice them hanging out at the foot of a cliff or hanging in the ocean itself. They are a very unique fish and no one has seen these sharks in the wild. You will probably get the opportunity to try to touch one and take a picture of it.
You can also see the different types of tropical fish that can be found in Maui as well. Many people raise tropical fish as pets and because of how easy they are to care for, many people end up keeping several fish in their tank at once. When you visit the Maui Ocean Center, you may even be able to purchase tropical fish that you would not normally be able to get anywhere else. There is so much information available for you to learn and it is so important that you make the most out of it. Even if you just want to learn more about the different marine animals that are available in Maui, or perhaps you want to buy a few things for your tank, you can find everything that you need at the Maui Ocean Center.
Also check Hawaii’i State Parks in Wailuku, Maui.