Cebu Ocean Park Review: Is It Worth Going?
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This Cebu Ocean Park review aims to set the right expectations for you, based on my recent visit. Despite being the largest park in the Philippines, it is relatively small compared to most of the Ocean Parks in Asia, such as the Hong Kong Ocean Park. In fact, I only spent around 3 hours during my last visit there with my family.
Yet, I find my journey very memorable and would love to recommend the park to you. Why?
Because I can hardly find another park in Asia where I can comfortably complete my visit to all the attractions within three hours without a rush. Not to mention, the exhibitions are ethical and family-friendly. So I have had a short and sweet experience with the park.
🏄 A Small But Worthy Ocean Park ✅ Book Your Visit Here!
A Park That Wouldn’t Make You Feel FOMO
Despite being a small park, Cebu Ocean Park has multiple ethical attractions that are the best icons for a a family visit. I had a wonderful time there with my family, highly recommend that for you as well.
Opening Hours
Cebu Ocean Park welcomes visitors daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last ticket sale at 5 pm. These consistent hours make it easy to plan your visit, whether you’re squeezing it into a busy itinerary or dedicating a full day to explore.
I arrived at the park at 10 am during my last visit and left at around 1 pm. By doing so, I avoid the crowds and also have almost the whole day for my next visit to SM Seaside City Center.
For the most current details, especially around holidays, I recommend checking the official Cebu Ocean Park website.
Entrance Ticket Price
The park admission is extremely affordable. The official price is just 650 PHP (~ 13 USD) for weekdays and 800 PHP (~16 USD) for weekends. Alternatively, you could also book your ticket via Klook, which usually offers a slight discount of ~ 12 USD for admission during weekdays and ~ 15 USD during weekends.
Additionally, you can also upgrade your ticket with an add-on option such as sea trek or stingray interaction. During my last visit, I booked the admission ticket with the sea trek experience for my family. Although it almost doubled the ticket price, it is worth considering, as it is one of the most affordable for a sea trek.
Cebu Ocean Park Overview
Exploring Cebu Ocean Park is very easy. From the park map, there are a total of 19 points of attraction divided into three sessions. Starting from the right-hand side of the map, it is the birds and critter session, in the middle it is the seven seas and other marine-related attractions, on the left it is the signature oceanarium.
From the beginning point to the end point, it is only a less than an hour walk. Thus, you can hardly miss any icon.
🏄 Cheaper To Book Your Visit Online ✅ Book Your Visit Here!
Online Booking Is Available
You can book your visit in advance via Klook. The platform includes multiple ticket options and usually the price is slightly cheaper compared to the official website (which the booking system also by Klook).
Session 1 (On The Left):
The first session includes point 1, “Jungle Trek”, to point 3, “Lories Bridge”. Starting from the entrance of the park. The whole session is a small greenhouse that houses multiple types of birds along with creepy critters exhibitions like snakes and frogs at point 2.
Point 3 “Lories Bridge” is the highlight of the whole session, where you will see a lot of beautiful lories on the bridge with a nest-like seat for an IG photo.
Session 2 (In The Middle):
The second session includes point 4, “Seven Seas”, to point 10, “Amphitheatre”. The seven seas consist of a lot of marine exhibitions, including stonefish, nemos, and seahorses. You can take a lot of great photos, especially at the “Nemo tank,” where you can take a photo of being surrounded by lots of Nemo.
Other than that, the touch pool (point 5) is another highlight in this session. There, you can touch the sea stars and cucumbers in a mini pool near the interaction center. Remember to obey the rules, not to squeeze or take the creatures out of the water.
This is the session where you can enjoy the bird show at point 10, “Amphitheatre”. If you also purchase the add-in session, such as sea trekking like me, you can register for that at the interaction center (“point 6”).
Other than that, you can also pay 100 PHP (~2 USD) or enjoy some snacks at a food kiosk. However, I would not recommend that you do so, because you can enjoy better food at the main tank restaurant or the penguin café in session 3. For the fish spa, there aren’t many fish as compared to other places like Suoi Tien Park in Vietnam or Chinatown in Bangkok.
Point 3 “Lories Bridge” is the highlight of the whole session, where you will see a lot of beautiful lories on the bridge with a nest-like seat for an IG photo.
Session 3 (On The Right Hand Side):
The third session ranges from point 11, “Oceanarium”, to point 19, “Gift Shop”. This is the best session of the park. The signature aquarium is at the starting point here. It is also the place where you can enjoy the aqua dining in front of the main tank (point 13). It is also the same point where you can enjoy the fish feeding show.
🏄 A Straight Forward Ocean Park✅ Book Your Visit Here!
You Would Not Miss Any Attraction
The park design is simple and exploration-friendly. It is conveniently designed into three sessions with every attraction very visible. It is hard for you to miss any of them.
Cebu Ocean Park Shows & Schedule
One of the joys of visiting Cebu Ocean Park is its lineup of shows and feeding sessions. I caught the bird show, where trained birds like parrots dazzled with tricks, and the main tank feeding, where divers play around with stingrays and sharks as they feed them. These shows are both entertaining and informative, offering a break from walking while enriching your visit. There are 3 timeslots for fish feeding and bird shows respectively daily with below schedule.
Main Tank Gallery Fish Feeding Show: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
Amphitheatre Bird Show: 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm
Top 5 Attractions That You Cannot Miss
With so much to see, here are my top five attractions at Cebu Ocean Park that you absolutely shouldn’t skip.
1. The Lories Bridge – Lories Feeding
At the Lories Bridge, you can pay 100 PHP (~2 USD) for lory feeding. This is the best item for an IG photo of being surrounded by a bunch of colorful birds. Check out our family experience below.
2. The Nemo Tank Photo at Seven Seas
This cleverly designed tank in the Seven Seas section let me take a photo surrounded by clownfish, mimicking a scene from Finding Nemo. It’s a simple yet delightful feature that adds a playful touch to the experience.
🏄 Enjoy Lots Of Marine Lives ✅ Book Your Visit Here!
Ethical & Educational Exhibitions
Cebu Ocean Park has a great focus on marine education, other to the wonderful marine exhibitions, both in the seven seas sessions aquarium.
3. Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is the crown jewel of Cebu Ocean Park. The massive tank and underwater tunnel offered a 360-degree view of marine life—sharks, rays, and more. It’s a must-see that showcases why this is the largest marine park in the Philippines.
4. Aqua Dining in Front of the Main Tank During Fish Feeding Show
Cebu Ocean Park Aqua Dining was a highlight—eating a meal while watching fish glide by in the main tank is unforgettable. During the feeding show, the scene comes alive, making it a unique culinary adventure.
5. Sea Trek at the Interaction Center
For a thrill, I tried Sea Trek, walking underwater with a diving helmet alongside sea creatures. It’s safe, beginner-friendly, and utterly exhilarating—an up-close encounter with marine life like no other.
A Small & Beautiful Park
I had an amazing visit to the park with my family, including the sea trek experience. The park is not big, and the map is straightforward. Despite a ~ 3-hour visit, I was very fulfilled. I took great photos of the marine life, and I was also surrounded by colorful birds. On top of that, I also did my first sea trek with my family. I had a great time at the park and also highly recommend that to you.
🏄 A Small But Worthy Ocean Park ✅ Book Your Visit Here!
Best For Family Visit
Cebu Ocean Park offers great exhibitions, shows,, and interaction activities. Other than that it also has enjoyable restaurants with lots of comfortable air-conditioned rooms. It is a great park for a family visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cebu Ocean Park
What are the opening hours of Cebu Ocean Park?
The Cebu Ocean Park opening hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
How much is the entrance fee?
The Cebu Ocean Park price is P650 on weekdays and P800 on weekends/holidays.
Can I book tickets online?
Yes, Cebu Ocean Park ticket online booking is available via the official website or Klook.
Is there a restaurant inside the park?
Yes, there is one aqua restaurant in front of the main tank and a sushi bar near the jellyfish section. Alternatively, you can also have snacks at a good kiosk or a penguin café.
Does Cebu Ocean Park accept credit cards?
Yes, credit cards are accepted for tickets, dining, and at the Cebu Ocean Park gift shop. Except for the feeding experience, all shops accept credit cards.
What are the show schedules?
There are 3 slots for fish & bird shows below.
Main Tank Gallery Fish Feeding Show: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
Amphitheatre Bird Show: 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm
Is there a gift shop?
Yes, the Cebu Ocean Park gift shop offers souvenirs to take home. The gift shop is at the exit of the park.
Can I bring my own food & drinks to the park?
Officially no. But the park does not check your park.
Is there a crocodile at Cebu Ocean Park?
Yes, the Cebu Ocean Park crocodile can be seen at point 7.
Should I visit Cebu Ocean Park if I have been to Oslob or Bohol?
Oslob is famous for whale shark watching, while Bohol is the best for water activities accessible by ferry from Cebu. Both are great but the ocean park is a very different experience.
