My family and I inside the tunnel aquarium at Cebu Ocean Park — the largest oceanarium in the Philippines, located at SM Seaside Complex, Cebu City.

Watch our full Cebu Ocean Park tour on YouTube — Maybel, May Carl, and I walk through every zone of the park.

Cebu Ocean Park is the largest oceanarium in the Philippines and the first marine-themed park in the central and northern regions of the country, located right next to SM Seaside City Cebu on South Road Properties. It has become a go-to half-day activity for visitors who want a marine wildlife experience without the 4-hour drive south to Oslob — and a reliable rainy-day backup for any Cebu itinerary.

My wife Maybel, daughter May Carl, and I at the entrance lobby of Cebu Ocean Park — our first stop before heading into the exhibits.

Location & How to Get to Cebu Ocean Park

Cebu Ocean Park is located at SM Seaside Complex, F. Vestil St, Mambaling, Cebu City, 6000 — directly opposite SM Seaside City Cebu mall on South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu Ocean Park Ticket Prices 2026

What’s included with regular admission: Jungle Trek, Creepy Critters, Seven Seas, Lorries Loft, Amphitheater Bird Show, Crocodile Lair Exhibit, Oceanarium, and Main Tank Gallery. A digital photo is typically included with online bookings. Meals, beverages, and special animal encounters cost extra.

Opening Hours

Cebu Ocean Park is open every day of the year, including holidays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last ticket sale and last entry is at 5:00 PM. There is no re-entry once you leave the premises, so plan your visit as one continuous block.

Main Exhibits & Zones

🐠 Seven Seas — the main oceanarium

The flagship attraction at Cebu Ocean Park. Seven Seas features beautifully designed aquariums mimicking natural ocean habitats — sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a wide variety of reef fish. Look out for the clearly marked Southern Ocean signage as you move between zones — the layout is well sign-posted so it’s easy to navigate even on a busy day.

Maybel and May Carl by the Southern Ocean signage — the park is well sign-posted, making it easy to navigate between zones even with a toddler in tow.

The standout feature is the massive walk-through tunnel aquarium, where you’re surrounded by marine life on all sides — sharks, rays, and schools of fish swim directly overhead and around you as you walk through.

A clownfish darts past the entrance to the tunnel aquarium — one of the first things that caught May Carl’s eye on our visit.

Our family selfie inside the main tunnel aquarium — this is the spot every visitor stops for a photo, and we were no exception.

Maybel and May Carl inside the tunnel aquarium — we ended up walking through it twice because she loved it so much.

Scheduled feeding sessions let you watch larger marine creatures up close, and several quieter corners of Seven Seas are dedicated to specific displays worth slowing down for.

May Carl getting brave with the shark jaws photo-op — a fun (and slightly thrilling) stop near the Seven Seas exit.

A close-up with the coral tank near the main exhibit hall — one of the most colorful displays we found in Seven Seas.

The jellyfish tank, glowing in soft blue and purple, was a quiet favorite for our family — easy to walk past if you’re not looking for it.

Our family photo at the giant clamshell bench with its coral backdrop — one of the most popular (and most photographed) spots in the park.

Watching a school of fish move in formation — genuinely one of the most mesmerizing sights for all three of us in Seven Seas.

Maybel and May Carl resting on one of the viewing benches in front of the larger tanks — a welcome break point with a toddler.

🌿 Jungle Trek — freshwater wildlife

A freshwater ecosystem zone showcasing species you won’t typically see in a saltwater aquarium — including the red-bellied pacu, arapaima (one of the world’s largest freshwater fish), red-tailed catfish, gar, and iridescent shark. Designed to feel like walking through a rainforest river system.

🦎 Creepy Critters — reptiles & insects

A section for visitors curious about the less conventional side of wildlife — chameleons, tarantulas, and a variety of reptiles and insects. Live demonstrations with park caretakers run throughout the day, popular with kids who enjoy the “ick factor.”

🐊 Crocodile Lair & Amphitheater Bird Show

Round out your visit with the Crocodile Lair Exhibit and the scheduled Amphitheater Bird Show — both included in regular admission and a highlight for families with younger children.

Animal Encounters — Optional Add-Ons

Beyond standard admission, Cebu Ocean Park offers several paid animal encounters that require advance reservation:

• SEA Trek helmet diving — walk along the ocean floor wearing a diving helmet, no swimming or diving certification required. One of the most unique experiences in the park.
• Stingray Swim Encounter — get in the water and interact directly with stingrays under staff supervision.
• Fish spa — small fish nibble dead skin off your feet in a dedicated pool, a quirky but popular add-on.

Dining at Cebu Ocean Park

Outside food and drinks are strictly prohibited inside the park, so dining here is part of the experience rather than optional. There are two distinct options:

🍜 Gusto Food Hall

A high-capacity food court with an Asian fusion menu — Singaporean and Hong Kong street food influences. The Chicken Parilla is a popular best-seller, and the Singaporean Laksa is a solid coconut-curry option. This is the default choice for most visitors and offers the best price-to-volume ratio in the park.

Lunch at Gusto Food Hall, seated right beside one of the big blue tanks — May Carl barely touched her food, too busy watching the fish.

🍽️ Aqua Dining — inside the tunnel aquarium

A premium dining experience set inside the breathtaking tunnel aquarium, surrounded by sharks, rays, and reef fish while you eat. Especially popular for date nights, anniversaries, and special occasions. Several visitor reviews single out Aqua Dining as the unexpected highlight of their trip — book ahead, especially on weekends.

Outdoor Areas & Photo Spots

Not every part of Cebu Ocean Park is indoors — there are a couple of outdoor zones worth budgeting time for, especially if you’re visiting on a cooler day or want a break from the air-conditioned exhibit halls.

🌊 Outdoor pier & pool area

An open-air pier and pool zone gives visitors a chance to step outside between exhibits, with water views toward the Mactan Channel. It’s a good spot to cool off in the shade or let kids stretch their legs before heading back into the next zone.

Our family taking a breather at the outdoor pier and pool area, with open water views toward the Mactan Channel.

🏘️ Rooftop Village

A rooftop section styled as a small village offers a different photo backdrop from the rest of the park — colorful structures and open-air seating make it a popular last stop before heading to the exit or the gift shop.

A last family photo at the Rooftop Village before heading out — a colorful way to end our visit.

Visitor Tips for Cebu Ocean Park

• Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll be walking for 2–3 hours across multiple zones.
• Bring sun protection — some sections are open-air even though most of the park is air-conditioned.
• No re-entry — once you exit, you cannot return on the same ticket, so plan to see everything in one visit.
• No flash photography inside exhibits; commercial photography and live broadcasting are prohibited.
• Check feeding and show schedules at the entrance — timing your visit around these adds a lot of value.
• Outside food is not allowed — budget for one of the two dining options inside.
• Parking is PHP 30 for the first 3 hours, then PHP 10/hour after, on a first-come basis.

What to Combine Cebu Ocean Park With

Since Cebu Ocean Park sits on South Road Properties, it pairs naturally with other SRP attractions and a broader Cebu City day:

• Shopping & dinner: SM Seaside City Cebu is directly across the street.
• South Cebu thrills: Anjo World Theme Park & Snow World is a short drive further south in Minglanilla.
• Spiritual detour: Simala Shrine in Sibonga.
• City history: Combine with a half-day Cebu City historical tour (Magellan’s Cross, Basilica, Fort San Pedro) before or after your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Giovanni Carlo Bagayas

Filipino · Born in Cebu City · Travel writer at Best Philippines Travel Guide

Born and raised between Cebu and Dumaguete, I write practical, up-to-date travel guides for international visitors at Best Philippines Travel Guide — combining local knowledge with honest, current information on attractions, hotels, and activities.