Penguins surround “Santa Claus.” Visitors at Hong Kong Ocean Park can interact with king penguins, gentoo penguins and southern rockhopper penguins. (Photo : Hong Kong Ocean Park/Facebook)
Thinking of spending time with animals but not so keen to go out and explore the woods, hike in a forest or go scuba diving?
Well, a trip to the zoo is a good option, and there is another place, which promises to give an entirely different kind of animal experience.
Ocean Park Hong Kong’s “Get Closer to the Animals” program gives opportunities to have a more personal encounter with some animals.
Visitors can interact closely with some birds, mammals and aquatic creatures via this program.
The Waterfront offers five treats: Australian Animal Discovery (encounters with kookaburras, red-necked wallabies and the Southern koala), Honorary Panda Keeper, Grand Aquarium Scuba Diving, Nighttime in the Ocean’s Depths, and “Play, Learn, Grow” Parent-Kid Weekend Camp.
The Summit acquaints visitors with live dolphins, penguins, seals, sea lions, shark and rays.
Visitors take a 1.5-kilometer cable car system to reach the The Summit and The Waterfront.
Operating since Jan. 1977, the Ocean Park envisions itself to be “a world leader in providing excellent guest experiences connecting people with nature.”
The mega theme park offers dozens of attractions generally categorized into four types, namely, animal exhibits (15), rides (26), shows (4) and others (seven more attractions including a garden and a playground).
Mail Online reported on April 7, 2014, that Ocean Park occupied the 35th spot on a list of 50 of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
Victoria Peak, more commonly referred to in Hong Kong as “The Peak,” and Hong Kong Disneyland ranked 36th and 41st on the list, respectively.
Some 7.6 million people trooped to the park in 2014. The park announced through its official website that it earned $2 billion “for its 2013/14 fiscal year that ended on 30 June 2014.”
Peak season falls on January, February, April, May, October and November. It normally opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6, 7 or 8 p.m.
This month, from Dec. 18-23, it opens from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Dec. 24-31, it will still open at the same time but will close at 8 p.m.
Visitors can now avail of online pre-booking parking service. The park launched its free Wi-Fi service on Nov. 2, according to its official website.
For more information regarding the “Get Closer to the Animals” program such as gift vouchers, one may email the park at uniqueexperiences@oceanpark.com.hk.
