Manila Ocean Park is a large marine and wildlife complex in Rizal Park, Manila, that combines an Oceanarium, a Philippine Biodome, a Digital Art Museum, a water park, and live animal shows under one All-Access bundle. Online ticket packages start at PHP 950 and cover entry to multiple attractions, while walk-in prices at the gate regularly exceed PHP 2,000. Buy online before you go.
Manila Ocean Park Quick Guide
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Park | Manila Ocean Park |
| Location | Behind the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park (Luneta), Manila |
| City / Province | City of Manila, Metro Manila |
| Type | Marine Aquarium, Zoo, Biodome, and Digital Museum Complex |
| Pricing Model | Bundled All-Access Packages (no single-exhibit gate pricing) |
| Cost to Enter | PHP 950 to PHP 1,000 (online bundles); PHP 2,000+ (walk-in) |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Weekends and Holidays 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Best Day to Visit | Weekday morning for smallest crowds |
| Time Needed | 3 to 5 hours for the full circuit |
| Parking | South and North parking sectors on-site; PHP 50 base rate for cars |
Table of Contents
Where Is Manila Ocean Park Located?
Manila Ocean Park sits directly behind the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (Luneta), in the City of Manila. The address places it right along the edge of Manila Bay, which means you get bay views as a free bonus. This location is one of the most convenient in the metro for tourists already spending time in the Ermita and Malate districts.
The park shares its immediate surroundings with some of the country’s most significant landmarks. Rizal Park, the National Museum Complex, and Intramuros are all within walking distance or a very short ride. If you’re planning a full day in the historic core of Manila, this is an easy anchor point.
How to Get to Manila Ocean Park
The cheapest way to reach Manila Ocean Park from most parts of Metro Manila is by LRT.
Take the LRT-2 Westbound to Recto Station, then cross to Doroteo Jose Station via the elevated footbridge to board the LRT-1 Southbound. Ride it to United Nations (UN) Avenue Station. From there, walk west across Roxas Boulevard and through Rizal Park. The walk from UN Avenue takes about 15 minutes. Combined LRT fares will cost well under PHP 50 depending on your starting point.
From the south, travelers coming from PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange) can take a city bus from Gate 3 on the second floor, boarding any bus routed to “Fairview” or “Lawton”. Get off at UN Avenue or T.M. Kalaw and walk the same route through the park.
For private vehicles, approach via Roxas Boulevard. If you’re heading northbound, turn left at T.M. Kalaw. Southbound traffic turns right at Katigbak Drive. Parking is split between the South Parking sector (near Harbor View restaurant) and the North Parking sector (near Manila Hotel). Cars and SUVs pay PHP 50 for the first three hours, then PHP 30 per succeeding hour. A standard six-hour stay costs roughly PHP 140. Motorcycles pay a flat rate of PHP 40 from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. If you’re just dropping passengers off, there’s a 15-minute grace period at the main entrance rotunda where no parking fee is charged.
For visitors coming from Northern Luzon by bus, Victory Liner and GV Florida Transport both serve routes into Metro Manila. GV Florida’s sleeper buses from Tuguegarao to Manila are priced at PHP 1,200, and the overnight timing means you can arrive in Manila right around the park’s opening hour. Budget at least PHP 2,000 to PHP 2,400 per person round-trip from deep Northern Luzon on premium class buses.
Ticket Prices and Passes at Manila Ocean Park
Skip the walk-in counter entirely. That’s the single most important piece of financial advice for this park.
The gate price for walk-in visitors regularly exceeds PHP 2,000 per person. Online packages available through the official Manila Ocean Park website or through platforms like Klook cut that cost by 50% to 60%. The park structures its tickets as bundled attraction packages, not single-exhibit entries, so you’re always buying access to a combination of zones.
2026 Online Package Pricing
| Ticket / Package | Price (PHP) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean to Jungle: One Pass | PHP 950 | Core 8 attractions including the Oceanarium and Philippine Biodome |
| Double Wonder Deal | PHP 950 | Manila Ocean Park core circuit plus Digital National Art (DNA) Museum |
| Holiday World of Wonder | PHP 1,000 | 6 to 8 primary exhibits; standard tourist bundle via Klook |
| The Great Nature Adventure | PHP 720 | Philippine Biodome only, no Oceanarium |
| Petals & Pixels | PHP 680 to PHP 780 | DNA Museum access; premium tier includes a tea bar experience |
| Splash, Play & Pamper | PHP 550 | Aqua Adventure water park and leisure amenities |
| Aqua Sale (Waterpark Only) | PHP 360 | Aqua Adventure water park access only |
Senior Citizen and PWD Discount
Senior citizens and Persons with Disability (PWD) qualify for a 20% discount under Philippine Republic Acts 9994 and 10754. The discount applies to the regular walk-in gate rate, not to the already-reduced online bundle prices. In almost every scenario, the online bundle price is still lower than the discounted gate rate. Present a valid Philippine-issued Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID at the ticket counter if claiming the statutory discount. You choose whichever option gives you the greater deduction.
Child Admission
Manila Ocean Park uses a height-based system rather than age. Children measuring two feet (24 inches) and below enter for free. Any child taller than that pays the same rate as an adult. There is no age-based exemption.
Paid Add-Ons
These experiences are not included in any standard bundle and are purchased separately on-site:
- Animal encounters, feeding sessions, and photo ops: PHP 700 per session (standard rate across most options)
- Sea Lion Encounter (45-minute program): Requires advance telephone reservation via loc 118, 123, or 143 due to strict capacity limits
- Penguin Feeding and Photo Op: Hard cap of 100 sessions per day; once that limit is reached, the program closes for the day
- Bird and Sea Lion Photo Ops: Held at fixed times, generally 1:15 PM, 3:45 PM, and 5:15 PM
Payment Methods
The park accepts cash, GCash, Maya, and credit or debit cards at on-site counters. Online platforms like Klook handle their own payment processing.
For a broader look at other amusement and theme parks across the Philippines, that resource covers your options if you’re planning more stops beyond Manila.
Operating Hours at Manila Ocean Park
The 6:00 PM closure is firm and non-negotiable across all main exhibits. Plan your entire day around it.
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (Weekdays) | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Aqua Adventure (Weekends and Holidays only) | 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
The water park is the only zone with an extended closing time on weekends and holidays, running until 8:00 PM. All other attractions, including the Oceanarium, the Biodome, and the DNA Museum, shut down at 6:00 PM without exception.
There are no posted permanent closure days based on the current schedule, but the park does operate at reduced capacity during some weather events, particularly for outdoor amphitheater shows during heavy rain.
Animals and Exhibits at Manila Ocean Park
The complex in 2026 is divided into several distinct zones. I’ll walk through each one the way you’d actually encounter them on the ground.
The Oceanarium
This is the anchor exhibit and the first major stop most visitors make. The Oceanarium holds approximately 3,000 cubic meters of circulating seawater and houses over 14,000 individual marine organisms from 277 distinct species, most of them native to Philippine and Southeast Asian waters.
The centerpiece is a 55-meter curved acrylic walkway tunnel that gives you a 220-degree view of the water above and around you. Sharks and massive stingrays pass directly overhead. It’s one of those moments where you stop mid-step because something enormous just glided over you. Get here right when the park opens to avoid the tunnel becoming a bottleneck of shoulder-to-shoulder visitors.
Trails to Antarctica
This exhibit houses a live breeding colony of Humboldt penguins and claims the title of the first dedicated penguin park in the country. The air conditioning in here is the strongest in the entire facility, built to simulate a polar environment. Adjacent to the penguin enclosure is a Christmas Village thematic zone.
Strategically, this is the best exhibit to visit around 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, when Manila’s midday heat is at its worst. The temperature drop inside is genuinely dramatic. Bring a light jacket if you feel the cold easily.
Philippine Biodome
The Philippine Biodome is a newer addition and it significantly expands what the park offers beyond marine life. This is a large terrestrial and semi-aquatic sanctuary, landscaped with ground trees and vertical green walls. It focuses on endemic and exotic species, many of which you won’t find in the Oceanarium.
Key animals inside the Biodome include:
- 14-foot Saltwater Crocodile
- Asian Small-Clawed Otters
- Cape Fur Seals
- Rufous Hornbill (a Philippine endemic)
- African Spoonbills
- Peafowl, Fantail Pigeons, Sun Conures, Brahminy Kites
- Butterfly Koi and Paddle Fish in the Freshwater Gallery
The Biodome also hosts a live Amphitheater Show and Tell and a Flying Encounter zone. For a deeper look at what this section covers, the guide to the Philippine Biodome in Manila breaks it down in detail.
World of Creepy Crawlies
This corridor displays exotic insects, reptiles, and arachnids. It’s an entomological and herpetological exhibit, which is a polite way of saying there are spiders, snakes, and things with too many legs. It’s genuinely interesting for adults who aren’t squeamish, and kids tend to either love it or flat-out refuse to go in. Your group will split into two camps immediately.
Jellies Dancing Sea Fairies
This dark-room exhibit projects multi-colored lighting against transparent jellyfish tanks, creating a hypnotic visual effect that photographs extremely well. It’s a short stop but worth the few minutes. This is where many people get the most dramatic photos of the day.
Stingray Dry Encounter
A close surface-level observation area for stingrays. Not a hands-in-water encounter, but a clear, close look at the animals from above.
Digital National Art (DNA) Museum
This section is a completely different experience from the biological exhibits. The DNA Museum uses projection mapping, motion sensors, and advanced lighting to create fully immersive digital art installations. Current installations include Flower Overture, Nature’s Whisper, Chasing the Sun, Electric Bloom, Petal Prism, Sonic Bloom, Threads of Tranquility, Echo of Light, The Healing Hug, Raindrop Reverie, and The Floral Pour.
The rules here are strict:Â no touching the projection screens, no flash photography, no running. Violations result in immediate removal without refund. The installations are genuinely impressive, but they are sensitive to interference, so the enforcement is real.
If you enjoy this kind of immersive digital art, the Space and Time Cube Museum in Pasay is another Metro Manila option worth looking into.
Animal Encounters and Feeding Schedules
The live shows run on fixed timetables, and missing a time slot usually means missing the show entirely for that day.
Live Show Schedule
| Performance | Weekday Times | Weekend and Holiday Times |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star Bird Show | 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM | 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM |
| Sea Lion Show | 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM | 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM |
| Creepy Crawlies Show and Tell | 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM | 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM |
The All-Star Bird Show features macaws, cockatoos, and eagles doing aerial stunts and cognitive tasks. The Sea Lion Show puts South American sea lions through physical and cognitive routines tied to conservation messaging. On weekdays, the 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM blocks are the only windows, so you need to position yourself near the relevant amphitheater at least 10 to 15 minutes before each start time to get a proper seat.
Premium Encounters
The Sea Lion Encounter is a 45-minute program where you work directly with the sea lions: water ballet, ball-catching, hoop jumping, and swimming together. Book this in advance by calling the park directly via loc 118, 123, or 143. It does not appear to be bookable through third-party platforms.
Standard animal feeding and photo sessions are priced at PHP 700 each. The Penguin Feeding and Photo Op is the most time-sensitive: only 100 slots are available per day, and once they’re gone, the program closes. If penguin feeding is a priority, ask about availability as soon as you arrive.
Bird and Sea Lion Photo Ops run at approximately 1:15 PM, 3:45 PM, and 5:15 PM.
The Photographer Trap
This deserves its own mention. At several points inside the park, particularly at the Oceanarium tunnel entrance, official park photographers will offer to take your photos. The service appears complimentary in the moment. By the time you reach the exit area, printed 8R copies are waiting for you, and the social pressure to buy them, especially if your kids are in the photos, is real.
The prints cost around PHP 500 per package. You have zero obligation to buy them. If you want them digitally, the park uses the MyPictures system operated by Viewtrue Express Digital Imaging Company. Your photos are stored online for exactly 90 days via a QR code and alphanumeric photocode. After 90 days, the files are permanently deleted.
Best Time to Visit Manila Ocean Park
Arrive at opening time. That’s the short answer.
Visitors who show up after 2:00 PM consistently run into two problems: crowds peak at that hour, turning the Oceanarium tunnel into a slow-moving wall of people, and there isn’t enough time left in the day to complete the full circuit before the 6:00 PM shutdown. The live shows at 4:30 PM become your last chance for anything, and you’ll be rushing.
The ideal arrival is 9:00 AM on a weekend or 10:00 AM on a weekday, right at the gates. The Oceanarium tunnel at 9:00 AM on a Saturday has maybe a quarter of the crowd it will have by noon.
Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. If your schedule allows a Tuesday or Wednesday visit, the difference in crowd density is significant. School groups do visit during weekdays, but they tend to move in blocks and clear out of exhibits faster than family groups.
For weather, the dry season months from December to February give you the cleanest outdoor conditions. The hot season from March to May is brutal in the outdoor amphitheaters. If you visit during the rainy season (June to November), which I did in July 2026, pack a small umbrella and quick-dry clothing. The outdoor shows can experience weather delays, but the indoor exhibits are completely unaffected.
How Long Do You Need at Manila Ocean Park?
Budget 3 to 5 hours to do the full circuit comfortably.
Three hours is the minimum if you move with purpose and skip the premium encounters. Five hours gives you time for two live shows, a full walk through both the Oceanarium and the Biodome, a proper look at the DNA Museum, a meal, and some breathing room for the photo ops and the penguin exhibit.
Here is a realistic sample time plan for a full day:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive, collect tickets, head straight to the Oceanarium |
| 9:15 to 10:30 AM | Oceanarium and Jellies exhibit |
| 10:30 to 11:30 AM | Philippine Biodome |
| 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | Trails to Antarctica (use the cold as a midday break) |
| 12:15 PM | Move to amphitheater area |
| 12:30 PM | All-Star Bird Show or Sea Lion Show |
| 1:15 PM | Bird or Sea Lion Photo Op (PHP 700 if desired) |
| 1:30 to 2:15 PM | Lunch at Makan Makan Asian Food Village |
| 2:15 to 3:00 PM | DNA Museum and World of Creepy Crawlies |
| 3:45 PM | Photo Op session (if not done at 1:15 PM) |
| 4:30 PM | Final Sea Lion Show or Bird Show |
| 5:15 PM | Photo Op and wrap-up, start heading out |
This plan assumes you are buying at least one online bundle that covers the Oceanarium and the Biodome together, like the Ocean to Jungle: One Pass at PHP 950.
Full Budget Breakdown for a Day at Manila Ocean Park
This table covers a realistic day for one adult arriving from within Metro Manila by public transit.
| Expense | Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|
| LRT fare (round trip) | PHP 50 to PHP 80 |
| Online bundle ticket (e.g., Ocean to Jungle Pass) | PHP 950 |
| Animal feeding or photo op (optional) | PHP 700 |
| Lunch at Makan Makan or food kiosks | PHP 250 to PHP 500 |
| Snacks and drinks (on-site only, no outside food) | PHP 100 to PHP 200 |
| Official park photos (optional, printable) | PHP 500 |
| Parking (if driving, 6-hour stay) | PHP 140 (car) or PHP 40 (motorcycle) |
| Total per person (no car, no add-ons) | PHP 1,250 to PHP 1,730 |
| Total per person (with add-ons and photos) | PHP 1,950 to PHP 2,430 |
For a family of four with two adults and two children above the 24-inch height limit, multiply the ticket cost accordingly. Children below 24 inches enter free. Budget separately for Hotel H2O if staying overnight, with room rates starting at PHP 3,500 for the Midyear Sale package or PHP 6,300 for the Midyear Escape bundle (which includes park admission and buffet breakfast).
For context on the broader area, the guide to Rizal Park in Manila is useful if you’re pairing this visit with a walk through Luneta, which costs nothing and is directly adjacent to the park.
What to Bring to Manila Ocean Park
| Item | Needed? |
|---|---|
| Printed or digital ticket (downloaded before arrival) | Essential |
| Valid ID (for senior/PWD discount or wheelchair rental) | Essential if applicable |
| Light jacket or sweater | Yes, for Trails to Antarctica |
| Comfortable walking shoes | Yes |
| Sunscreen and a cap | Yes, for outdoor amphitheaters |
| Compact umbrella or poncho (rainy season) | Yes, June to November |
| Cash and GCash | Yes, for add-ons and food |
| Reusable water bottle | No, outside drinks are prohibited |
| Outside food | Strictly not allowed |
| Camera with flash | No, flash photography is banned throughout |
| Drone or professional video camera | Prohibited |
| Pets | Strictly prohibited |
Tips and Rules for Visiting Manila Ocean Park
Book online before you arrive, without exception. The difference between the online bundle price (PHP 950) and the walk-in gate price (PHP 2,000+) is too large to ignore. Even if you’re already standing at the entrance, pull out your phone and buy online before approaching the counter.
The no re-entry policy is real. Once you leave an attraction zone or the main park, your barcode is deactivated for that area. Do not exit to grab something from your car or explore Rizal Park and expect to walk back in.
Outside food and drinks are prohibited. This is enforced at bag inspection, which all visitors go through at the entrance. Budget for on-site meals. The Makan Makan Asian Food Village is the primary sit-down option. Fast-food kiosks like Retro Grill, Quix, Adobo Series and Lemon Bliss, Twist Treats, and Snackz Aquatica are scattered around the complex for quicker stops.
Do not tap on glass enclosures or use flash. This is an animal welfare rule, not just a posted notice. Staff enforce it actively, and violators are removed without a refund.
Wheelchair and stroller rental is available at the main entrance, subject to daily availability. Leave a valid ID as a deposit and collect it when you return the equipment.
Running in the DNA Museum results in immediate expulsion. The projection hardware is sensitive and the policy is zero tolerance.
The Penguin Feeding cap of 100 slots fills up fast on weekends. If this is a priority, ask at the information desk as soon as you enter.
Individuals with active severe respiratory illness may be denied entry to protect the enclosed ecosystems of the indoor exhibits.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
I arrived on a Saturday in July at around 11:00 AM, which I thought was early enough. It wasn’t. The Oceanarium tunnel by 11:30 AM already had enough people in it that stopping to look upward without someone walking into you was a challenge. Going forward, I’d target a weekday opening, specifically the 10:00 AM slot, and go straight to the Oceanarium before anywhere else.
I also skipped the Sea Lion Encounter because I didn’t know an advance reservation was required. I asked at the desk and was told the slots were already full. That was my loss. If a hands-on encounter with the sea lions is on your list, call ahead at least a day before your visit using loc 118, 123, or 143.
The photographer at the Oceanarium tunnel got me, too. Not in a scam sense, but I genuinely didn’t realize the photos would be printed and waiting at the exit. They looked good, and the kids were in them, so we bought the package at PHP 500. There’s nothing wrong with that, but going in aware of how that exchange works makes the decision feel more like a choice and less like a surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Manila Ocean Park
Is the Manila Ocean Park entrance fee for 2026 the same whether you buy online or at the gate?
No, the prices are significantly different. Walk-in tickets at the gate regularly exceed PHP 2,000 per person. Online bundles through the official site or Klook bring the cost down to PHP 950 to PHP 1,000 for most comprehensive packages. Always buy online before entering the premises.
What are Manila Ocean Park’s operating hours for regular days?
On weekdays, the park opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. On weekends and public holidays, it opens an hour earlier at 9:00 AM, but still closes at 6:00 PM. The Aqua Adventure water park is the only exception, running until 8:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
Can I bring food inside Manila Ocean Park?
No. The park enforces a strict no outside food and beverages policy, enforced at bag inspection before entry. All food must be purchased from the internal dining options, which include sit-down restaurants and fast-food kiosks scattered throughout the complex.
How do I book the Sea Lion Encounter, and is it included in the All-Access bundle?
The Sea Lion Encounter is a premium paid experience not included in any standard bundle. It costs extra and requires advance telephone reservation due to limited capacity. Call the park directly via loc 118, 123, or 143 to book your slot. Walk-in registration for this specific program is not guaranteed.
Is Manila Ocean Park accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with strollers?
Yes. The entire park, including the Philippine Biodome, is designed to be fully wheelchair and stroller compliant. Ramps, elevators, and smooth pathways are used throughout. The park also offers complimentary wheelchair rental at the main entrance, subject to availability. You will need to leave a valid ID as a deposit.
Final Verdict: Is Manila Ocean Park Worth Visiting?
Manila Ocean Park earns a 4 out of 5 for families and first-time visitors to Manila who want a full, varied day in one location, provided you buy online and arrive at opening time. The combination of the Oceanarium, the Biodome, the penguin exhibit, and the live shows gives you enough content to fill a genuine half-day to full day without running out of things to see. The strict no re-entry policy, captive food pricing, and the steep walk-in gate rate are real frustrations, but none of them apply if you plan ahead.
official Manila Ocean Park website
For more immersive art experiences to pair with your Manila trip, the guide to Art in Island in Cubao is worth checking if interactive installations are your thing.
