Our trip to Manila Ocean Park
Did you know that Manila has a brand new aquarium? Well, it does, down off Roxas Blvd, near Luneta Park. Manila Ocean Park partially opened last year, and we decided to spend the day down there, followed by lunch at the Harbor Side restaurant.
Manila Ocean Park is owned by a Chinese firm that operates aquariums in Mainland China, and they are in the midst of developing an ocean themed entertainment complex right on the bay, eventually including a bigger aquarium, shopping mall, and hotel. At this point in time, just the aquarium is open, and they have done a pretty nice job on it, if a bit pricey by Manila standards.
So, we decided to take Juanito to see the fish, even though he is still a bit young for this type of thing. He really seemed to enjoy it, though. The fish were really active, and the viewing areas had little ledges so he could stand next to the glass. Admission is a whopping 400 pesos each…AND, they “nickel and dime” you once inside, like most theme parks and so on… pretty steep for most families in Manila, but there was certainly a full house. The animals also all seemed to be well cared for, as opposed to several of the zoos and such in this country. When the aquarium is completely finished, it will be the largest aquarium in SE Asia, and one of the largest in all of Asia. They are currently building a Whale Shark tank and a dolphin tank. Both of which will be pretty huge, in terms of size. One really nice thing about Ocean Park is that nearly all of the fish on exhibit are native to the Philippines. That’s right… almost every one of the thousands of fish in the tanks are from here, making a really big impression about how rich the sea life in these islands is and how colorful it can be.
At Ocean Park
When you arrive, you enter a “take a number” queue, like most of the banks here, in order to buy your tickets. Bit confusing, but took only about 15 minutes with a large crowd there. As soon as you enter, you go into a “jungle area”, with crocodiles and large freshwater fish. This is the only part that is NOT handicapped accessible. We found this out trying to push Juanito’s stroller. There is a way around the jungle steps for strollers and wheelchairs, but I checked the stroller and just carried my son (It was easier to pick him up so he could see that way, anyway). From the jungle area, you go to a large “touch tank”, where kids can pick up and hold different types of fish. From there, you enter two very large galleries of large fish tanks, some containing very rare and endangered species, before entering the centerpiece tank, which is one of the large tunnels going through the middle of the tank. This is also where the crowds are, though there are plenty of seats to sit and just watch the fish and the “mermaids” swimming around in the tank (Like Weeki Wachee in Florida). At the end, there is a fish spa, where you sit at the edge of a tank with your legs in the water and surgeon fish eat all the dead skin off of your legs. This costs extra, and we had Juanito with us, so we passed (He liked seeing the fish and was smiling and giggling the whole time, but he’s still pretty young for much more that 45 minutes or so.) Also, when you leave, the journey through the gift shops and the middle of the restaurants.
Juanito and I looking in a tank
All in all, you could spend a couple of hours there, and since this is the only facility like this in the Philippines, most Filipinos have never seen anything like it before. Rebecca had only been to one aquarium (In Hong Kong last year) and our maid was simply dumbfounded that such a place could even be built! Though I’ve been to many aquariums before, it was still a nice way to spend an afternoon in Manila, and if you still have energy, Luneta Park and Intramuros are right nearby, as is Mall of Asia!
So, we bypass the fast food option and head next door to the Harbor Side restaurant, built on a pier sticking out in Manila Bay. The place has been there for many years (40, I think), and has good Pinoy food, mostly seafood, and wonderful views of the bay and Roxas Blvd, with fantastic ocean breezes… You really feel that you leave Manila, though you are only 100m from Roxas.
All in all, a very pleasant day with my family, before heading out on the road again! Give it a try next time in Manila! Some pictures:
Juanito Ringing a Bell at a display
Becky and Juanito
Diver feeding the fish (He waved at Juanito)
Juanito watching the fish
A big ray swimming overhead
Lion Fish
Starfish in the touch tank
Manila Ocean Park
Becky and Juanito at Harbor Side Restaurant
Roxas Blvd from Harbor Side Restaurant
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Wow, John, thanks a lot. Your article made me homesick. Can’t wait to see the aquarium and the Mall of Asia you mentioned. The last time I was in Manila was in 2002, when the wharf with shops and restaurants not far from the Manila Hotel was just completed. The Harbor Side restaurant is a favorite, and so is the Kamayan on Mabini(?) I’m due for a return visit soon. You sure none of the Filipino Chinese tycoons (Henry Sy, Lucio Tan (your friend at PAL LOL) has a partnership in the aquarium venture?
Very nice John! Now I want to visit Manila too. Sigh – You guys make it so hard for me. I want to see all the nice things in the Philippines and now I have to add this to my growing list. Great pictures too! John R. is right..beautiful family.
Hi John – P400 @ head and the place was crowded? In Manila? Sounds a little fishy to me!
Great travellogue – truly interesting to see such development there in Manila.
Oh, and good finishing touch – a “seafood restautant” after visiting an aquarium. Sort of like the old lobster tank, but now with all kinds of species to select from!
Very nice post. Haven’t spent much time in Manila these days as I’m always down in the Visayas. But the price is indeed steep for the locals. I just hope they have specials, for them. Add this to must see list, and spend more time in Manila.
Hey John,
Very nice trip you have taken us on again!…salamat.
Danny
Hi John,
Not knowing Manila that well, I had to look it up on Google Maps. There were some overhead photos from Panoramio included. Wow! That is quite a large complex. Adults, as well as kids love an aquarium. Great article and super photos. Thanks.
Hi John. Perfect timing on your posting and beautiful pictures of a fun day with your family. Juramie and I are at Ocean Park on November 20. We are meeting 2 friends of Juramie, her brother and his new girlfriend and taking them with us. I appreciate the heads up on the extra cost. We end the day at a dampa restaurant close to customs (with more family meeting us at the dampa). I had one of the best meals ever at this dampa last January. I was left in the restaurant area to avoid the puti price while Juramie and her family shopped for the food at the market. At the end of the meal, I had my fortune told by the owner of the restaurant after the meal. I’ll let you know how the day went after I get back to the USA.
My family also originated in Abulug, I attended elementary at the centro elementary school went to high school in Manila and left for Canada after university. Its nice that you are showing pictures cause I dont even remember the surroundings anymore , only thing I remember is the Abulug market area. Actually my mother was related to the Carao family. We still visit an aunt in San Francisco whos family name is Carao. Good luck with your stay in the Philippines.
John;
Thanks for the info, looks like you and yours had a fun day! Great pictures also. Now that I know it’s there. I’m on the way to see it with my granddaughter soon. I wonder why they don’t advertise?
You have a beautiful family, btw, John…
John: Glad you liked it… It was a fun day!
John: Thank you! Yes, they are!
Edward: Thank you!
Paul: I always wanted to visit an aquarium carrying a fishing pole or a cemetery with a shovel and metal detector…
Alex: They had a Manila resident discount, but it was not very much… The children’s price was only 50 pesos lower.
Danny:
Thank you!
John; It is a big complex, and right in the middle of everything, too.
Jack: Have a great time!
John – Thank you again for the location of Ocean Park. I have been looking at Google Maps and its not to far from our hotel (Traders). I am getting really excited about the trip.
Hi, Paul- They probably advertise, you just don’t get to read them or hear about them because you’re out there in the sticks lost in your own world with the ever-present San Magoo in your hand. Hahahaha Just teasing you, Paul.
Blusky: Thank you! There’s only a few family names up there, and everyone seems to be at least a distant relation. I’ll be up there for at least a week over Christmas, so I should have some articles with more pictures upcoming.
Jhn and Paul: I haven’t seen and adverts… Only the GMA report when they opened. I would assume they advertise in hotel books and so on…
Hello Rebecca, As I told your husband john I also originated from Abulug, left with my family long , long time ago , never went back. I remember there used to be fishermen with “SANSORO” large fishnets for “ifun”, it was really good tiny fish by the buckets. My grandma and I used to go buy some at the market near the river or close to the sea, do the villagers still do catch the “ifun” and I remember around this time of the year the “tinubong” sweet rice cake inside a bamboo are being prepared for christmas. Carrolers go from house to house and sing christmas songs and visit there relatives. I wonder if this tradition is still on. I miss those good traditions from Abulug , nothing like it here in Canada and States. Good luck with your fish farm and your family.
Blusky: I forwarded your comment to Becky… She’s been up in Abulug for a month and internet is still not available there
Blusky: I’ve forwarded your reply to Becky… She’s been up in Abulug the last month and Internet is still nearly nonexistent there.