Ocean Park — Attraction in Hong Kong

An attractive year-round destination that blends education, conservation and entertainment into a myriad of attractions, Ocean Park delivers endless excitement, fun and thrills for kids and adults alike. Separated by a large mountain into two areas, i.e., The Waterfront and The Summit, the sprawling OP is thrice bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland, and a good mix of aquarium, amusement park, park and zoo with animal exhibits, interactive shows/performances, kid-friendly and heart-pounding rides in seven zones: Aqua City, Whiskers Harbour, Amazing Asian Animals (The Waterfront), Polar Adventure, Thrill Mountain, Rainforest, Marine World (The Summit). The Summit is perched atop the mountain.  There is no direct walkway from The Waterfront but these areas can be reached by (1) The Ocean Express funicular railway that has a submarine-like feel and/or The OP Cable Car that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape of mountains and a gorgeous coastline. Although not quite as high as other mountainous parks, OP still offers one of the most spectacular views of the island and the South China Sea.  There is no shortage of scenic viewpoints, exciting attractions/activities, unique dining experiences and retail outlets scattered all over OP for both the young and young at heart to enjoy within a single day, or even two! Recently we visited OP and had a whale of a time!  Considering our last trip was several years back with tons to see and do at a comfortable pace, a 2-day touring plan was more viable so that we could leisurely “stop and smell the roses” whenever.  To us, ropeway rides were most lovely and serene but going over the hills at a pretty precarious angle could be scary to some.  For sure, we rode the adrenaline-pumping thrill rides till our hearts’ content.  Among dizzying The Flash, snowscape-themed Arctic Blast and exhilarating Hair Raiser, we liked HR most.  It was especially therapeutic viewing the different marine and land animals at the Grand Aquarium, Shark Mystique, Dolphin Explorations, South Pole Spectacular, Arctic Fox Den, North Pole Encounter and Amazing Asian Animals as well as snapping pictures, strolling among the greenery and soaking up the fresh air.  We had delectable meals at the Tuxedos Restaurant and marvelled at the adorbs, playful penguins frolicking on the ice or in the water up close in comfort. One of OP’s latest highlights was the Le Petit Prince 80th Anniversary Galactic Voyage – the glittering journey of lights and shadows was spectacularly colorful and captivating!  This special OP-LPP collaboration has made our trip extra interesting and worthwhile.  Every moment of our visit has been positively relaxing, fun and immersive! This premier educational theme park, albeit aging and negative reviews, is still a fab place for a fun day out.  While some attractions are closed as part of routine maintenance or shut down for good, it is for the purpose of ensuring safety as well as part of OP revamp and rejuvenation program.  Prior to making the trip, do check OP official website for latest updates and it is best to get admission tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines at the ticket booth, particularly during peak and super...

What a great day we had !

Ocean Park Hong Kong is one of those rare attractions that seamlessly blends thrills, nature, culture, and stunning photo opportunities, making it a must-visit for any traveling photographer. Located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, the park offers a captivating mix of marine exhibits, wildlife encounters, adrenaline-pumping rides, and panoramic views of the South China Sea — all within a beautifully landscaped hillside setting.

From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that Ocean Park is as much about the journey as the destination. The park is split into two main zones — The Waterfront and The Summit — connected by the Ocean Express funicular train and an iconic cable car system. The cable car ride is a highlight in itself, offering sweeping views of Hong Kong’s coastline, deep-blue waters, and lush green hillsides. For photographers, it’s a golden opportunity to capture dramatic aerial shots, especially during clear days or at sunset when the sky turns into a warm palette of colors.

The Waterfront area charms with its family-friendly atmosphere, featuring themed zones like Aqua City, where the Grand Aquarium displays over 5,000 marine creatures in an immersive setting. The underwater tunnel, with schools of fish swimming overhead, makes for both an educational experience and an excellent composition opportunity. Also here is the Amazing Asian Animals exhibit, home to the park’s famous giant pandas, red pandas, and rare birds — a perfect spot for wildlife photography without leaving the city.

Once at The Summit, the energy shifts towards thrill and spectacle. Hair-raising rides like the Hair Raiser roller coaster perch dramatically along cliff edges, making for dynamic action shots against the sea. The Marine World area also features the Ocean Theatre, where dolphins and sea lions perform against a scenic backdrop — a challenge and delight for photographers aiming to freeze motion while keeping the vivid surroundings in frame.

One of Ocean Park’s strengths is its natural setting. The park is built into the hills, which means that no matter where you are, you’re often greeted with breathtaking vistas of the coastline. Paths and terraces provide unobstructed vantage points, ideal for landscape photographers. Seasonal events like the Halloween Fest and Christmas Sensation transform the park into a festival of lights and colors, adding a whole new layer of visual inspiration.

For photographers visiting, a few tips:

Bring a lens that can handle both wildlife close-ups and sweeping landscapes.

The cable car is best ridden in the morning or late afternoon for softer light.

Don’t skip the lesser-visited corners; sometimes the quiet paths between attractions offer the most authentic and atmospheric shots.

If possible, stay until dusk — Ocean Park after dark, with its illuminated rides and pavilions, is a feast for night...

I have been coming to Ocean Park for 40 years since I was 10 when we visited HK as tourists. I am now living in HK for nearly 25 years and I have been taking my children to Ocean Park at 3-4x a year and some years I even have annual passes for my eldest child. In my recent trips to Ocean Park, what truly disappoints the whole experience is the staff attitude. The ones manning the rides, in the shop, in the kiosks. This Saturday I took 6 children with me as it’s my daughters birthday and we stayed the rides at 10:30am with barely any queues and 2 particular staff manning the ride when I tried to ask a question regarding the ride they ignored me and when I got one of their attention and asked my question he was annoyed and told me what was my problem. I managed to ask a staff walking by the park to help me, same issue, unpleasant and unhelpful and told me he is not responsible for the ride area.

I called your costumer service and they sent a supervisor to meet me. He came and at first he defended the behaviour of the team which is understandable but when I told him all that was required was to answer a querie with respect and explain the rules and regulations instead of showing rudeness. Ocean Park supposed to be a happy place.

In my observation, the staff does not seem happy to be working wherever they are, they probably have lack of training or simply they don’t enjoy what they are doing. Safety and customer service are importantly factors in parks like these. I know ride queues could take up to an hour both the guests and staff could get agitated but kindness and customer service is crucial. Training is important.

This is sad as I truly like Ocean Park. I have recently visited another theme park in HK and our experience was nothing short of excellent fun because the staff of the theme park made it exceptional specially for the children.

I barely give any reviews as it takes time and effort but if I find something outstanding I would put the establishment in the spotlight as it deserves a shoutout, my kids and I enjoy visiting Ocean Park so I hope their staff attitude will change. Training must be provided specially in the customer service side and guests safety whilst...