Located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, The Ocean Park is a renowned educational theme park in Hong Kong, covering an expansive area of over 870,000 square meters. It boasts an impressive selection of top-tier marine attractions, exhilarating rides, and captivating shows. The park is divided into three distinct sections: Lowland, Headland, and Tai Shue Wan. Under the management of the Ocean Park Corporation – a non-profit organization operating as a statutory board – its mission is to provide accessible entertainment, education, and conservation initiatives.
Throughout its 30-year history, Ocean Park has continually evolved and enhanced itself to provide an improved experience for visitors. This has propelled it to become a well-known tourist destination both at the local and global level. With a staggering total of over 100 million guests and an annual average exceeding 5 million visitors, Ocean Park has achieved worldwide acclaim. In fact, in 2006 Forbes.com recognized it as one of the “10 Most Popular Amusement Parks in the World,” while Forbes Traveler ranked it among the “50 Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the world” in 2007.
Ocean Park, which was officially inaugurated in January 1977 by Sir Murray MacLehose, the Governor of Hong Kong at that time, was established with financial support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and provided land for free by the Hong Kong Government. The park’s construction cost HK$150 million. In addition, from 1982 to 1984, an extra HK$240 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club was used to fund the second phase of development. This phase involved expanding facilities at Tai Shue Wan and introducing exciting rides at the Headland. The main objectives of this expansion were to diversify attractions, increase popularity and revenue generation, and optimize utilization of government-granted land.
The Ocean Park Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP) introduced in 2005 will result in significant improvements to the Park’s features and their accessibility. The Lowland area will be completely revamped to become the Waterfront, while the Headland will be transformed into an impressive section known as the Summit. The Waterfront will comprise of a themed resort and a new Aqua City, highlighting a Grand Aquarium with three levels of viewing galleries that are approximately four times larger than the current Atoll Reef. It will also include the Amazing Asian Animals themed-area, which features the Giant Panda Adventure and showcases some of Asia’s rarest creatures. Additionally, it will offer a refurbished children’s area named Whiskers Harbour, as well as various dining and shopping options. At the Summit, visitors can experience the Polar Adventure that replicates the cold environment of the North and South Pole or explore the beautiful Rainforest by going on a river rapids journey. For those seeking thrilling experiences, Thrill Mountain is the ultimate destination. Finally, Ocean Park’s beloved dolphins and sea lions will continue to entertain guests at Marine World.
An innovative high-speed funicular express train will be constructed to connect guests to these exciting new attractions. The train will have the ability to transport guests from the Waterfront to the Summit in under 3 minutes. The MRP groundbreaking occurred in November 2006, marking the beginning of this HK$5.5 billion project. The project will be completed in six years across eight phases, all while the Park remains open. Upon completion in 2012, the redevelopment project will double the number of animal attractions and rides from 35 to 70.
Alongside its advancements in development, Ocean Park has also received commendations in the area of animal conservation. In 2002, the Park became accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), making it the sole non-American animal facility to achieve this significant industry acknowledgment. This serves as proof of the Park’s exceptional animal care, surpassing worldwide standards set by the Association.
Ocean Park demonstrates its commitment to animal conservation by successfully breeding various species. Rare sharks, sea lions, sea horses, jellyfish, endangered birds, and butterflies have all been born at the park. A significant achievement was reached in 2000 when bottlenose dolphins were bred through artificial insemination (AI). This resulted in the birth of two bottlenose dolphin calves via AI in May 2001, a world first. In addition to its breeding efforts, Ocean Park plays a vital role in coordinating international conservation initiatives with the establishment of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF) in 1993. The foundation collaborates with other conservation organizations to improve attitudes and practices towards conservation in Hong Kong and Asia. Furthermore, Ocean Park’s accreditation was renewed by AZA for another five years in 2008.
The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) was established in 2005 by merging the Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation (HKSPC) and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF). Dedicated to educating the community and supporting giant panda conservation, OPCFHK also advocates for Asian wildlife and habitat protection through research and education.
Ocean Park provides two transportation options for guests traveling between different areas: the Lowland, Headland, and Tai Shue Wan. The cable car system connects the Headland and Lowland, spanning 1 km while offering breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s southern side and the South China Sea. Additionally, a world-renowned outdoor escalator over 225 meters long connects the Headland with Tai Shue Wan.
Visitors to Ocean Park’s Headland area can enjoy an array of thrilling rides including Dragon, Eagle, Crazy Galleon, Ferris Wheel, Flying Swing, Raging River, Space Wheel, Mine Train,and Abyss Turbo Drop. For a more serene experience nearby Marine Land is available.
The Ocean Theatre is a popular attraction for families, offering daily shows with dolphins and sea lions. These shows not only entertain but also educate the audience about the habitats of these marine mammals. The Atoll Reef aquarium, known for its world-class standards, is home to 2,000 fishes from nearly 250 species. This includes a variety of sharks, sting rays, and other unique marine specimens. Visitors can experience the Sea Jelly Spectacular, where they can interact with 1,000 beautiful sea jellies accompanied by stunning music and multimedia displays. The Ocean Park Tower, one of the tallest observation towers in Southeast Asia, provides a 360? rotating viewing room 72 meters above ground. This vantage point allows guests to enjoy clear views of Aberdeen and the nearby islands. Pacific Pier recreates the sunny Californian coast in Hong Kong and features an interactive underwater exhibit showcasing sea lions at play. The newest addition to Ocean Park is the Amazing Asian Animals area in The Lowland. This collection of exhibits houses some of Asia’s rarest animals and offers both education and entertainment. Additionally, the Giant Panda Adventure is introducing red pandas to Hong Kong for the first time ever while also housing giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le.
Goldfish Treasures features a viewing pavilion where visitors can see hundreds of shimmering goldfish, including the latest and rarest species. At Panda Village, bird watchers can enjoy spotting Ocean Park’s avian friends soaring above the trees and also have the chance to visit Asian Small-clawed Otters. The SkyFair’s main attraction is a helium balloon with a diameter of 22 metres, which lifts guests 100 metres into the air. Whiskers Harbour is an area designed specifically for children and offers a variety of rides that are tailored to their age and interests.
At the Whiskers Theatre, the whole family can enjoy live shows that give a fun glimpse into the daily lives of Ocean Park’s sea lions. Next to the theatre is Dolphin University, which includes Ocean Park’s dolphin breeding center. This is a great opportunity for guests, especially children and those young at heart, to learn more about the secret lives of dolphins and the ongoing efforts to protect these smart marine animals. To satisfy guests’ hunger, Ocean Park has four amazing dining options: Bayview Restaurant, Terrace Cafe, Cafe Ocean, and Panda Cafe.
The Panda Cafe is the newest addition to Ocean Park’s dining options, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. It is a charming cafe with a delightful panda theme that will surely please the whole family. Located on the Headland, Cafe Ocean is a Hong Kong-style cafe that serves a variety of local gourmet dishes. For a dining experience with an aquatic touch, guests can visit the Bayview Restaurant which showcases a stunning backdrop of sea jellies. Alternatively, they can enjoy the remarkable sea view at the Terrace Cafe while dining in the open air. Both the Bayview Restaurant and the Terrace Cafe offer a wide range of international cuisines to satisfy every palate, along with unbeatable views of the South China Sea.
