The Manila Ocean Park Complex is in such a weird place in Manila’s (and the country’s) public consciousness. For one, it is a popular destination especially for children and families who would like to see marine and aquatic creatures up close. On the other hand, despite its popularity, it is not seemingly a popular Philippine destination compared to the reputation of SeaWorld in the US or Ocean Park in Hong Kong.
It can be supposed that its location is a primary factor as it is located near the more iconic and historic Rizal Park. As such, there is a sense of deliberateness that it was designed to be not as imposing nor is it overshadowing the park and its famous monument and is content to make itself stand out but not totally stand out from behind the equally historic Quirino Grandstand.
If this deliberateness is true, then the people behind Manila Ocean Park should be commended for not trying to “steal the spotlight” so to speak from the focal point that is Rizal monument and not go for the Torre de Manila route. On the other hand, the location of the complex meant that it could not go as far as it would want to in adding new areas and facilities that would have helped Manila Ocean Park compete with other oceanariums.
But its location is less of an issue compared to the more pressing problem Manila Ocean Park has been facing: it was not making a huge impact for an attraction like this one. Sure when it first opened in 2008, it was the buzz of the town so to speak. But after that, it just felt “there” as a stop for guided tours and field trips but never the beloved landmark that it was expected to be, even by Philippine standards.
Critics have pointed out Manila Ocean Park’s lack of impact to the park’s failure to make a unique impression, especially among those who would visit it for the first time. We shall look at that criticism more closely later but that is not to say that it did not make an effort in presentation. In fact, it made efforts to add new attractions and facilities in the park, like a water-themed nightclub which sadly was shortlived. Soon enough the park became a quite massive nature and leisure complex with an area spanning a little over 36 hectares.
To understand more about the appeal (or lack thereof, according to critics), we first explore the crown jewel of this complex, the Manila Ocean Park itself.
Manila Ocean Park
Stepping inside Manila Ocean Park, you will be forgiven if you think the park is more of an amusement complex than an oceanarium as the mini amusement park is the first thing you see when you enter. I don’t know but if you market yourself as an ocean park, the entrance to the oceanarium should be the first thing you see. Instead, the entrance is on the side which makes one think that they don’t want to promote the ocean park that much.
But navigating inside the ocean park itself, it’s nice to see that the layout is thought out, starting with the jungle-themed area with a selection of freshwater fishes and other creatures found in such environments.
You are then led to the deeper depths of the sea where one can find the fishes, seahorses, corals, and other creatures that inhabit the deep blue seas, with some living in tanks that resemble shipwrecks or submarines.
But the highlight of the oceanarium is the tunnel where one can witness multitudes of fishes around the tunnel, including some sharks.
A few steps away, one can have an up close and personal encounter with fishes and rays. You can even feed them.
All those attractions are located on the ground level. There is still more to see at the second level where one can see another highlight of the park: a close encounter with penguins at the Antarctic-themed section of the oceanarium.
There are still more to see as you go back down on the other side of the oceanarium, including some restaurants, a view of the Manila Bay and, at the other side of the ground level, some additional sections dedicated to reptiles and insects, jellyfish, and a Superman-themed section featuring part of one of the biggest collection of Superman memorabilia.
Outside of the oceanarium there is an amphitheater located near Ocean Park Aqua Adventure (more on this in a bit) which serves as the venue for live animal shows.
Philippine Biodome
Right beside the Manila Ocean Park is the newest section of the Manila Ocean Park complex which was opened last December 2024, the Philippine Biodome. Unlike the Manila Ocean Park, the Phiilippine Biodome is set up as a mostly open-air environment encased in a transparent dome, showcasing quite an extensive collection of flora and fauna.
There are a number of highlights to see in the biodome, one of them is the large Philippine crocodile that not only you can size from a vantage point above but also up close as there’s a tunnel in the lower section that lets you see the crocodile’s belly, somewhat similar to the tunnel at the oceanarium.
You can also get an opportunity to get close to the birds. Or rather, the birds get close to you. There is also an opportunity to feed them as well.
One surprising find in the biodome is that you can find seal and sea otter. Surprising in the sense that not only are they not usually seen in the Philippines but moreso, the fact that they seem to be doing well despite being in a tropical environment.
As far as this Urban Roamer is concerned, the Philippine Biodome offers a much better experience compared to the Manila Ocean Park. But that is just my opinion and opposing viewpoints are much welcome. Though the jellyfish section at Manila Ocean Park is really nice and mesmerizing place to check out.
Other Place of Interest
Just to hammer in the fact that it is now the Manila Ocean Park Complex, other facilities have been built over the years to complement the recreational experience of the place. One of the first additions of the complex is the Hotel H2O which opened in 2010. Touted as “the first and only marine-themed urban resort hotel in the Philippines”, Hotel H2O is a two-level building with 147 guest rooms.
Then there is the Ocean Park Aqua Adventure, the complex’s waterpark component which opened in May 2024. The waterpark is comprised of pools equipped with waterslides and other play facilities, as well as a bike ramp and a fish spa.
A Total Recreation Destination?
Recent improvements, especially thhe addition of the Ocean Park Aqua Adventure and the Philippine Biodome over the past year, especially is at least an indication that the people behind Manila Ocean Park are not only keen on making Manila Ocean Park better but are also ambitious in making it Manila’s total recreation destination of sorts. It is admirable to see such an effort after a perceived period of stagnation.
It helps that this particular destination is quite vast and accessble to the many who live in Metro Manila. Given the shrinking space in the metropolis amid rapid urbanization, normally such a place would have to be built outside the city and not many people in the metropolis would be keen to take a long trip for that.
It remains to be seen though how these improvements will help Manila Ocean Park boost its profile and become part of the public consciousness as far as Manila destinations go. But here’s hoping that the Manila Ocean Park Complex will be able to create a more meaningful impact for the metorpolis and the country as a whole.
If you want to have a taste of everything the Manila Ocean Park Complex has to offer, the best way is to purchase a 3-in-1 that will allow you entry for all three venues in the complex. Tickets can be purchased here.
