Ocean Park

 

Located near Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park opened in 1977 and was Hong Kong’s first theme park. Following a period of decline, attendances in recent years have soared and the park broke its own attendance record six times in seven years reaching 5.1 million for the financial year ended 30th June 2010, an increase of about 6% on the previous financial year, and for the year January to December 2010 the park recorded a total attendance of 5.4 million. Attendances in recent years have been boosted by visitors from mainland China who now account for about 53% of visitors to the park, which received its one millionth visitor on 18th February 2011. The park generated income of HK$986 million with a net profit of HK$82 million durung this period. Ocean Park employs about 1,300 staff in 2010 compared to 600 in 2006. The current capacity of the park is 36,000 but is limited to about 33,000 in the interests of visitor comfort. The park sold out on three days during Chinese New Year 2011, the first time this has occured since 2005.

It is ranked the fourteenth most visited theme park in the world and in addition to being a theme park, Ocean Park is also an important marine animal conservation, research and education centre. A major HK$5.5 billion redevelopment and expansion programme commenced in 2006 and is planned to be completed by 2012/13 which will result in the park doubling in size and the number of attractions increasing to 70 (see “Ocean Park Redevelopment” below). The park remains open as normal during the redevelopment period.

In December 2009 Ocean Park formed an alliance with eleven other theme parks in mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan to encourage more overseas visitors to each park. Vistors receive a 10% discount on production of admission tickets from any other parks in the alliance and annual passholders receive a 15% discount. The other parks in the alliance are Beijing Aquarium, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shenzhen’s OCT Happy Valley, OCT East Knight Valley and OCT East Tea Stream Valley, Panyu Chimelong Paradise in Guangzhou, Taiwan’s Leofoo Village Theme Park and Hualien Farglory Ocean Park, and the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The arrangement lasts until 31st December 2010 except at Beijing Aquarium where it continues until 30th April 2011.

In February 2010 it was announced that a pair of young koalas have been donated to the park by the South Australian state government. These are the first koalas to be kept by the park and are expected to arrive before 2012. The koalas will be housed in a new habitat and serve as important conservation ambassadors.

A major new zone Aqua City opened on 26th January 2011 and the park also introduced its nightly “Symbio” fire and water show at The Lagoon within Aqua City.

During December 2010 and January 2011 two penguins were born at the park, the first to be bred in captivity in Hong Kong and will join the park’s other 51 penguins on public display when the new Polar Adventure opens in April or May 2012.

Transportation
FROM CENTRAL, ADMIRALTY AND WAN CHAI

Citybus/NWFB services from Exchange Square Bus Station via Queensway (outside Admiralty MTR Station) Queens Road East Wan Chai and Aberdeen Tunnel;

6A, 6X, to Stanley (HK$8.4)
260 to Stanley (HK$10.6)
70 to Aberdeen (HK$4.7)
75 to Sham Wan (HK$4.70)
90 to Ap Lei Chau (HK$4.70)
97 to Lei Tung Estate (HK4.70)
M590 to South Horizons (not Sundays) (HK$6.90)

FROM CAUSEWAY BAY

Citybus/NWFB services from Moreton Terrace Bus Terminus (behind Hong Kong Central Library);

72 to Wah Kwa Estate via Yee Wo Street (Sogo) and Hennessy Road (HK$4.7)
72A to Sham Wan via Yee Wo Street (Sogo) and Hennessy Road (HK$4.5)
92 to Ap Lei Chau – circular route via Happy Valley (HK$4.5)
96 to Lei Tung Estate via Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road (HK$4.7)
592 to South Horizons via Morrison Road and Hennessy Road (HK$4.7)
65 (Sundays only) to Stanley from North Point via Kings Road, Hong Kong Central Library, Hennessy Road and Happy Valley (HK$8.9)

FROM TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON)

973 Citybus/KMB (jointly operated) service to Stanley from Concordia Plaza, Science Museum Road via Mody Road, Salisbury Road (New World Centre and also near Star Ferry Pier), Canton Road, Jordan Road then via Western Harbour Crossing, Pok Fu Lam and Aberdeen (HK$13.6). On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays most buses on this route make a short diversion via the Ocean Park Bus Terminus instead of stopping on the main road outside.

FROM SHA TIN (NEW TERRITORIES), CENTRAL KOWLOON AND HUNG HOM

170 Citybus/KMB (jointly operated) service to Wah Fu from Sha Tin MTR Station via Lion Rock Tunnel, Waterloo Road Kowloon Tong, Princess Margaret Road Ho Ma Tin, Hung Hom Station (Cross Harbour Tunnel Plaza), Cross Harbour Tunnel, Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and Aberdeen Tunnel (HK$16)

OPENING HOURS
The park is open every day of the year but park hours vary throughout the year. Opening time is 10am for most of the year but 9-30am at peak times such as school summer holidays and public holidays. Closing time varies between 6pm (for much of the winter) 7pm (summer) and 8pm (summer school holidays and some public holidays). Visitors should check the Ocean Park website for daily opening and closing times;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/eng/main/index.html

Admission Price

	General Admission	Student Pass	SmartFun Gold Pass	SmartFun Silver Pass
Adult	$250	—	$695	$545
Full Time Student (12 or above)	—	$485	—	—
Child (3-11)	$125	—	$350	$270
Under 3	Free	—	—	—
Over 65 (with HKID)	Free	—	—	—
Holder of Registration Card for people with Disabilities	Free	—	—	—