Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park is Southeast Asia's premier oceanarium, offering families an immersive underwater experience with thousands of marine creatures from the Philippines and beyond. Kids can get hands-on at interactive touch pools, watch mesmerizing jellyfish displays, walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays, and enjoy daily educational shows featuring sea lions and other marine animals.

• ✓Oceanarium tunnel with 25-meter walkway surrounded by sharks, rays, and thousands of fish swimming overhead
• ✓Interactive touch pools where kids can safely pet bamboo sharks, starfish, and stingrays
• ✓Daily sea lion shows featuring trained animals performing tricks and educational demonstrations
• ✓Jellyfish exhibit with mesmerizing, color-changing displays that entrance children
• ✓Penguin habitat where kids can watch Humboldt penguins waddle, swim, and play

1. 1.Purchase tickets online in advance to skip long queues, especially on weekends and Philippine holidays when local families visit in large numbers.
2. 2.Arrive right at opening time (10am) to experience attractions before tour groups arrive, and catch the first sea lion show of the day when animals are most energetic.
3. 3.Bring a light jacket or sweater as the air-conditioned aquarium areas can be quite cold, especially for young children.
4. 4.Download the park map from their website beforehand and plan your route to hit all shows and feeding times, which are the highlights for most kids.
5. 5.The oceanarium is located at Manila Bay, so consider combining your visit with a sunset walk along Roxas Boulevard afterward, a favorite activity for families.

Visit on weekday mornings (Tuesday through Thursday) to avoid weekend crowds and school field trip groups. The dry season (November to April) is ideal as you can comfortably explore outdoor areas and the nearby baywalk before or after your visit.

Moderate pricing with combo packages available that include multiple attractions within the complex. The venue has restaurants and snack bars inside, stroller-friendly pathways, and nursing rooms. Foreign visitors should bring Philippine pesos as some vendors may not accept cards.

Open year-round with consistent programming. Special holiday events and extended hours during Christmas season (December) and Holy Week (March/April). The rainy season (June to October) actually makes this an excellent indoor activity option when outdoor plans are affected by tropical weather.

Aristocrat Restaurant (5-minute drive) is a Filipino institution serving kid-friendly local dishes like chicken barbecue and pancit noodles in a casual family atmosphere. Harbor View Restaurant inside the Manila Hotel offers international buffets with high chairs and children's menus, plus stunning bay views.