Apr 27 2008
Manila Ocean Park
The Manila Ocean Park is a seaworld, where kids and adults are treated with the sights of different marine animals (think of Ark Avilon Zoo, but all sea creatures). When you hear “seaworld,” you think of Seaworld in Orlando, Ocean Park in Hongkong and, in the Philippines, Ocean Adventure in Subic. Unlike those destinations, however, Manila Ocean Park is located in the heart of Metro Manila, so it should be easily accessible (rates are P400 for adults and P350 for kids). And unlike those destinations, the Manila Ocean Park has no shows like the whale and sea lion shows (although these shows may come later, as the Manila Ocean Park is still unfinished). There’s something, however, that makes up for that.
We have been putting off our trip to Manila Ocean Park for more than a month. We would have loved to be among the first to go, but since long lines are expected with newly-opened establishments, we decided to wait until the lines aren’t that long. So, today, a Sunday, we decided to go (there are so many long weekends to choose from, by the way). The Manila Ocean Park opens at 10:00 in the morning, so getting there earlier means no hassle in looking for the perfect parking space and no falling in line. There are two parking areas: one beside the Manila floating hotel, right after the Manila Hotel, while the other is near the restaurants (Manila Harbor, Pantalan, etc.). You may also want to leave your water and food at home because, just like Enchanted Kingdom, food and water are not allowed unless bought inside.
You should have no problem getting there because the Manila Ocean Park is surrounded by so many landmarks. It’s just behind the Quirino Granstand. It’s at the other side of the Rizal Park (also known as Luneta, where the statue of the national hero, Jose Rizal, is found). There are two points of entry: one at the intersection of the Manila Hotel and the other at the interesection where the Museo Pambata is found. It is under 5 minutes from the US Embassy, Baywalk and the Manila Yacht Club. If you still have a problem figuring out how to get there, check the website of Manila Ocean Park.
I must say that the highlight of the trip is what I’d like to call the “sea tunnel”. It’s a thick glass tunnel underneath the huge aquarium. You feel you’re under the sea, without Sebastian or Ariel. Not good for a claustrophobic. The view is great, which is the “something” that I mentioned earlier that should make up for the lack of whale or sea lion shows. But I’m going ahead of myself. Let’s go back.
The first part of the tour is called Agos, which is an open area with plant-filled high walls (except that the plants are newly planted), with a waterfall. At the top of the high walls are thick wires running from one end to the other, which gives the eerie feeling of being in one of the dinosaur cages of Jurassic Park. Here you’ll be greeted, not by a T-Rex, but by giant fish like the Giant Arapa–something. There’s the Electric Eel (I was tempted to ask for a demonstration if it’s really an electric eel). There’s a statue that seems to be out of place, though. I believe it’s a fertility statue, which looks like the one found in one of the Boracay islands. I don’t know why it’s at the Manila Ocean Park, but I know for sure that the nuns who were with us didn’t get their photos taken with the statue.
It’s hot at the open Agos section and you’ll let out a sigh of relief upon entering the next section, which is air-conditioned. Here you’ll find the Pajama Cardinalfish, which is only one of the types of fish that I’m still trying to figure out how they got their names. There’s the Titan Triggerfish, which I include here because it has a cool name. There’s the Longhorn Cowfish (a yellow fish with long horns, but doesn’t look like a cow) and Hispid Frogfish (which doesn’t look like a frog), both weird-looking fish. There’s the Giant Spider Crab, which, as its name suggests, is huge, and looking at it feels like watching a movie about aliens. There’s the Longfin Bannerfish, with its lovely strips, and the Spotted Garden Eel, which hides itself by burying half of its body in the sand.
There’s Convict Blenny (which appears to be wearing the old black-striped prison uniform), guarded by the Sergeant Major (no, I’m not kidding, the Convict Blenny is also a fish). There’s the Featherstar, starfish and anemone. When you say anemone, what comes to mind? Ah, clownfish. Nemo, the most famous clownfish, and his father’s sidekick, Dory, are also at Manila Ocean Park.
There’s a restaurant (Ozeano), which is right after the Fish Spa (perhaps you’re wondering if they massage a fish at the Fish Spa). Other fastfood stores, like Chowking, are still in the process of construction. But I guess I’m yapping too much. Just take time out to bring your kids to Manila Ocean Park. My son had a great time and I was surprised to hear him say new words, which we didn’t teach him, like a panda (the logo of the WWF, which is a partner of the Manila Ocean Park), as well as other familiar names like seahorse, turtle, shark, whale and stingray. There are other photos and videos of different kinds of fish, but we can’t upload everything here. So just go and enjoy.
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[...] I must say that the highlight of the trip is the “tunnel”. It’s a tunnel high enough for an adult to stand, with water surrounding it. Of course, with water comes fish, which means you feel you’re under the sea, without Sebastian or Ariel. Not good for claustrophobics. The view is great, which is the “something” that I mentioned earlier that should make up for the lack of whale or sea lion shows. But I’m going ahead of myself. Let’s go back. (Please continue reading at VisitPinas.com) [...]
the huge fish must be an arapaima, similar to the ones found in avilon zoo
Otep, thanks for the information. While looking at that fish, I was thinking how long it would take to consume it if it’s cooked as paksiw.
nice review fred. still, i find aquariums quite cruel. these sea animals belong to the ocean, not aquariums for the enjoyment of human beings. sigh.
Thanks, Ai. As to aquariums being cruel, I don’t know what to say because I haven’t thought of it that way (which could be the problem in the first place). Still, on the scale of things, I find birds in cages more cruel than fish in an aquarium. Maybe it’s not as cruel considering that WWF is a partner.
[...] is just across the Manila Hotel. The location of this park is discussed in our previous post on the Manila Ocean Park, which is just a few meters [...]
[...] a stone’s throw away. If you’re in that area, perhaps you’d like to know that the Manila Ocean Park is very [...]
hello po. i was browsing the net for places to go to in manila kc i’m scheduled to go there for a 2 week training. luckily i found ur articles about manila ocean park and ark avilon zoo and it did really help.
i’m not familiar with manila, maybe you can help me.
malayo po ba yung makati sa manila ocean park at ark avilon? i will be staying somewhere in gil puyat ave.? if i will take a taxi malaki po ba yung babayaran ko?
i will truly appreciate it if you can give me a reply (sa email)..
thanks..
2tane, gil puyat is somewhere between ocean park and ark avilon zoo, and it’s not really that far either way. It depends on the volume of traffic, which would also depends on the time of day that you intend to go there. I’m not really sure as to the taxi rate, perhaps other readers could give an estimate. It’s around 30 minutes to both destinations from gil puyat. Enjoy!
hi.
i love to go back at manila oceanpark.
it was fun!
i enjoyed it.
but we had our project about the fish there, and i cant even remeber the nems of the fish.
:))
more power
im planning for a vacation this end of october and i want to visit the manila ocean park together with my two kids dam and nicole! i think that would be a perfect gift for my daughter for her birthday this coming november 8. since i am working in the province. see u manila ocean park later…
wow! naman, ang ganda ng manila ocean park… ang fieldtrip nmin ksi doon, exicited na tulo ako…. sa oct. 29, 2008 na ang fieldtrip nmin……. pgpray nyo na sana mg enjoy kami doon ah…….. sa mga hindi pa nkakapunta doon, kaya, pwes, pumunta na kayo, dhil, mganda doon, mgeenjoy pa kau……….. enjoy,! thanks….
by:athena grace losala
Gusto kong bumalik sa M.O.P.! I really love it!.. Especially those cute & wonderful marine organisms.. Pwede bang mag-uwi ng kahit isang blue-spotted ray o kahit isang pating? Ang ganda ng ribbon saka garden eel a…
tanong lang po….para po yata wala akong nakitang octopus at jelly fish….?
hi,are you enjoy your field trip?
sa manila ocean park
for me i’m happy dhil so beautiful.
god bless you to…
by;miss;emotional #03
rollie, I can’t remember if there’s any octopus or jellyfish. Maybe others who’ve been there could tell us (or I’ll check when I bring my nephews/nieces again in the future).
I don’t expect that we will enjoy ourseleves in the Manila Ocean Park…… Because It was Our Fieldtrip Held on November 25 2008………….. It was really fun there ………………………………… I went there in the Ocean Park Souveneir Shop But the costumers are many so we just Go at the first line but almost everybody became angry to but we only got 1 item…………. next I went also to the Quantum Station………. Infront of the Souveineir Shop it’s like im in Mall of Asia….
Tnx to our President………
i was wondering if the attractions are wheelchair accessible. i’m planning on goin this week with my family.
[...] where that is? Let me mention some places. Try to see if you recognize any: SM Mall of Asia, Manila Ocean Park, Rizal Park, Manila Bay, US Embassy. Bamboo Palace, Westin and World Trade Center. Star City is [...]