Cebu Ocean Park Seatrek Review: An Affordable First-In-Life Experience
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This is the full Cebu Ocean Park Seatrek review based on my first-hand experience. The Ocean Park is Cebu’s first and only marine-themed park. The ticket is very affordable, at ~ 12–15 USD, depending on whether it’s a weekday or a weekend.
It is a straight-forward designed park that you could easily explore without missing a single item. I spent a very good afternoon with my family during my last visit to Cebu.
However, I did struggle a bit on whether to top up my ticket to include the “Oceanarium Sea Trek” experience for ~ USD 25 per person. On one hand, it would provide my family (including two elderly and my wife) with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On the other hand, that means almost doubling my ticket price, turning my total cost from ~50 USD to ~150 USD.
Worse, there was not much information about the sea trek experience online. I ultimately decided to take the risk choosing the sea trek package, and found it worth it. If you are struggling with the same, this is the detailed review for you.
🌊🌊Book Your Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek Experience ✅ Here!
Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek Experience
I took the Sea Trek experience in Cebu Ocean Park with my family during my last visit. Despite the price being almost double that of the park admission ticket, I found it a great bucket-list-ticking opportunity for me and my family alike!
Cebu Ocean Park
Opened in 2019, Cebu Ocean Park is the largest marine-themed park with a massive 3,500 cubic meter seawater tank. Despite being the “largest” in the Philippines, it is way smaller than Ocean Park in other destinations, such as HK Ocean Park or even the aquarium in Vinwonders Nha Trang in Vietnam.
Despite so, it is a very ethical park focusing on marine education there. Other than marine life, you can also find a bird sanctuary there. There are two animal shows, and neither of them shows cruelty like other ASEAN animal parks like Bangkok Safari World.
The park map is very straightforward, making it hard to miss any of the icons, while the content can occupy you for a good 3 hours or so. I love this FOMO-free park, especially during the hot weather of Cebu, as compared to other icons.
The Seatrek Session
The Seatrek session at Cebu Ocean Park is a one-of-a-kind activity where you can stroll along the ocean floor of the park’s main aquarium. Unlike scuba diving, which requires training and equipment, Seatrek uses a specialized helmet that delivers a steady flow of air, allowing you to breathe naturally underwater.
So as long as you are above 8 years old with no flight schedule in the coming 12 hours. You can join the session to talk inside the 3,500 cubic meter water tank (the signature aquarium of the park) even if you are not a swimmer. So it is perfectly safe and fun as a family activity.
For about 30 minutes, you’ll be surrounded by an underwater wonderland, with marine creatures like rays, sharks, and colorful fish swimming around you—an experience that’s as surreal as it is unforgettable.
I did online research via Grok. The sea trek price ranges from ~ 25 to 120 USD. So the one offered by Cebu Ocean Park is at the low price range and great for a first-time experience.
How To Book A Seatrek Session
You can either walk in or book the sea trek session in advance via Klook. For a slight discount (as compared to the walk-in price at 1,500 PHP) or, most importantly, reserving a seat, pre-booking through Klook is the way to go. All you need to do is choose “Weekday (or Weekend) admission package + Oceanarium Sea Trek”, then you can purchase both the park admission ticket and to sea trek session simultaneously.
On the selected day, you just need to redeem your ticket at the park front door. After that, you just need to head straight to the 3rd floor via the elevator after entering the entrance. On the 3rd floor, passing through the “Seven Seas” session, you will find the registration counter near the touch pool.
There you can register your timeslot for the day. Usually, the best timeslot is around 1 pm or so. Then you will have sufficient time to finish the first fish feeding show at 11 am and the bird show at 12pm.
🌊🌊Book Your Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek Experience ✅ Here!
Secure Your Seat By Pre-Booking
Online booking via Klook would not only secure your seat on the day in advance. It also provides a slight discount as compared to walking in on the activity day.
Cebu Ocean Park Seatrek Review
Arriving at the registered time, the first thing is gearing up for the trek. In the changing rooms, you’ll be provided with a wetsuit and wet boots, which offer comfort and protection underwater. Lockers (for free) are available to store your belongings securely while you’re out exploring.
Next, you’ll attend a concise safety briefing where instructors explain how the Seatrek helmet works—it’s heavy on land but feels light as a feather once submerged. After suiting up and getting briefed, you’ll be led to the aquarium, where you’ll descend a ladder into the water, ready to begin your adventure.
No worries, there are multiple staff members to guide you for the descent.
Enjoy The Seatrekking
The moment you step onto the aquarium floor, you’re in for a treat. For approximately 30 minutes, you’ll walk along a designated path, marveling at the marine life that surrounds you. Schools of fish dart past, a few rays glide gracefully overhead, and sharks patrol in the distance—it’s a front-row seat to an underwater spectacle.
There will be a professional guide leading you around the aquarium. You are allowed to bring your own GoPro (as compared to not being allowed on the official guidelines). The staff will also offer to take pictures and video for you and your group without any additional charge.
Although it is only a short walk on the first floor of the aquarium, I had a great first-time sea trek experience with my family. For details, feel free to check out my videos below.
And another video for close encounter with a stingray.
🌊🌊Book Your Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek Experience ✅ Here!
Short & Nice
The whole trekking is around 30 minutes below the grand acquarium. During the walk the staff will take plenty of photos and videos for you and your family. So despite being not an open sea experience, it is very enjoyable with great photos for memories .
Shower & Change Back
Once your Seatrek concludes, you’ll head back to the changing area to rinse off and change. The park provides clean shower facilities (but no shower gel or shampoo) and towels, making it easy to freshen up after your underwater walk. Retrieve your items from the lockers, and take a moment to browse the rest of the park. The process is well-organized, ensuring you leave feeling refreshed and satisfied. It is especially suitable for them with the elderly and kids, to bring them an once-in-a-lifetime experience safely.
The Seatrek Is Worth Going
Cebu Ocean Park is a rare tourist icon in the world that is ethical, well-organized, straightforward, and FOMOless. The entrance price is very cheap at 15 USD for such great content. That’s why the pricing of sea trek (despite being one of the lowest in the world) may seem to be “expensive” as compared to the admission price.
However, I feel very lucky to have chosen to take the experience in the end with my dear family. Especially, after the exhibitions, shows, and great café, it is the best way to conclude the visit with the unique sea trek experience. I highly recommend that you give it a try as well.
🌊🌊Book Your Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek Experience ✅ Here!
An Unforgettable Family Experience
Considering the safety, price, and accessibility, the Cebu Ocean Park Sea Trek experience is the best for family travelers with elderly or kids. It creates a great memory for your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sea Trek In Cebu Ocean Park
Do I need to swim?
No, you don’t need to swim for the Seatrek session. The helmet supplies a constant flow of air, and you’ll be walking on the aquarium floor, making it accessible even for non-swimmers.
Do I need a diving license?
No diving license or certification is required. The Seatrek is designed for beginners, with all necessary guidance provided during the safety briefing.
Can I bring my GoPro?
Officially, Cebu Ocean Park’s guidelines prohibit personal cameras like GoPros for safety reasons. However, during my last visit, the staff would proactively ask me to use my own GoPros and take lots of pictures and videos for me without any extra charge.
GoPro’s service is also available at ~ 300 PHP.
What am I expected to see?
You’ll encounter a diverse array of marine life, including colorful reef fish, rays, sharks, and more, all within the main aquarium’s vibrant ecosystem.
Is there whale sharks there?
No. Whale shark watching is only available in Oslob (or very rarely during diving in Bohol) for your Cebu trip. You can go there from Cebu or Bohol.
Should I still do the sea trek after Bohol?
If you also go to Bohol from Cebu and back like me, you should have done lots of water activities. However, sea trek is only available here, so it is still worth doing.
How long is the session?
The Seatrek session lasts about 30 minutes underwater, with the entire process—including gearing up and briefing—taking roughly an hour.
Can kids participate?
Yes, but they need to be at least 8 years old and be accompanied by an adult.
Do I need to bring swimming gear?
No. All the necessary items will be provided without charge.
Expect a close-up view of the aquarium’s inhabitants—think reef fish, rays, and sharks—offering a mesmerizing glimpse into marine life.
Can I take flight after the session?
No, not within the next 12 hours. Usually, after a diving or sea trek session, you should not take flight in the next 24 hours. However, given this is a relatively safe session, 12 hours will do.
How about the stingray snorkeling session? Is it good?
I did not take the stingray snorkeling session; it seems to be merely snorkeling on the surface of the aquarium. I did a stingray interaction during my trip in the Maldives and also lots of water activities in Bohol. So I did not deem that worth going
