Hualien Farglory Ocean Park is the largest amusement park and aquarium along Taiwan’s East Coast. Here you can find dolphins, seals, and mermaids, along with a gondola, theme park, and roller coasters. It is a fun, ocean-themed getaway that is enjoyable for the whole family.
⛰️ Planning your trip to Hualien? 🌊
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer
- You can book Farglory entrance tickets for a discount on Klook here
- How to get there: Taiwan Railway (TRA/TRB) and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: When Happiness Knock Your Door or Dream Taiwan Homestay
- Book tours and activities in Hualien on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical Background
Farglory Ocean Park, commonly known as Hualien Ocean Park, is a large marine-themed amusement park located along the coastal highway in Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, covering about 51 hectares and set between the sea and the Coastal Mountain Range. It is Taiwan’s first ocean-themed park to combine natural landscapes with a theme park and a five-star resort hotel, and features eight major themed areas, including ocean villages, theaters, adventure zones, and water-based attractions. In addition to rides, the park is known for dolphin and sea lion shows, parades, large-scale musical performances, and mermaid shows, making it the largest amusement park in eastern Taiwan. To prepare for increased tourism following the Suhua Highway improvement, the park proposed a major expansion plan involving cable cars, a water park, and new hotels, though the plan has faced environmental concerns. The park has also engaged in corporate collaborations and features a range of animal mascots representing marine life. Dolphin shows are planned to be phased out in 2025 in place of a wildlife rescue-themed program.
Price:
990 NT per person.
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM
Show Times:
There are usually shows every 30 minutes and include:
- Mermaid Show
- Manetee Show
- Dolphin Show
- Seal / Sea Lion show
For a current schedule of show times, check the company website here: https://www.farglory-oceanpark.com.tw/en/schedule
Website:
https://www.farglory-oceanpark.com.tw/en
When to visit?
Hualien is great year-round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and the Typhoon season and heavy rain season last from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer.
Where to stay?
The best hostel I’ve ever stayed at is “When Happiness Knock Your Door” “幸福來敲門” in Hualien. The hostess will go out of her way to make you comfortable and her rooms are kept extremely nice. Also, it was one of the few hostels I’ve ever been to that had an elevator. Her price is well below the quality you will enjoy. She has almost a perfect rating on Booking.com and Agoda.
You can book When Happiness Knock Your Door on Agoda here or Booking.com here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com), a high-quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com), a 5-star hotel right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli right next to Sixty Stone Mountain.
You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
How to get to Farglory Ocean Park?
By Scooter: Take Highway 11 south out of Hualien City and keep going along the East Coast highway until you see the theme park. Looking for a scooter rental in Hualien? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Car: Take Highway 11 south out of Hualien City and keep going along the East Coast highway until you see the theme park. If you are looking for car rentals in Hualien, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here.
You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Bus: From Hualien Station, you can take Bus 1145 or 1140 to the theme park. The ride takes about 40 minutes. You can book tickets to travel to Hualien via inter-city bus on Klook here.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Hualien such as Surfing, Paragliding, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Diving, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Farm Dream Estates Zoo, Water Biking, Oyster Harvesting, Shrimp Harvesting, Indigenous Experience, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining and much more on Klook here or KKday here.
Map:
Please see the map below to see where the park is.
You can also see a full map of the park below:
Drone Video
360 Pano
For a 360-degree view above Hualien City, please see below or via this link.
Aerial view from Farglory Ocean Park, the theme park with the best view in Taiwan, and the largest and best theme park and aquarium in Eastern Taiwan. #遠雄海洋公園 #空拍 #主題樂園 #花蓮
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Wednesday, November 20, 2024
360 degree aerial view from Farglory Ocean Park, the largest and best theme park and aquarium in Eastern Taiwan. #遠雄海洋公園 #空拍 #主題樂園 #花蓮
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Our Journey
We have been to Hualien’s Farglory Ocean Park twice and had a blast both times. Sitting right on the Pacific Ocean, it definitely has the best views of any theme park in Taiwan, as well as the most animal shows. There is so much to see and do here that maybe one day is not enough. We booked entrance tickets at a discount on Klook here.
When we visited, the main indoor parking lot was full, so we had to park in the outdoor parking near the ocean. As you can see, the waves can get big on stormy days, so I would not recommend parking near the water.
Huge waves were beating on the shore near the cars as we went up the escalator.
There is a large tunnel that connects the outdoor parking lot to the theme park.
There are also escalators that connect each parking lot floor to the main entrance.
Making our way up to the main entrance.
Looking back at the ocean views.
We made it to the ticket booth!
990 NT per person is the price for tickets.
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
View of our tickets, which came with a free keychain.
Waterfall behind the main entrance.
Full map of the area.
If you have not noticed, the entire theme park sits on a huge hill, and the only way up is via these gradual walkways and escalators.
View looking back down at the ocean.
Fishing Village
First you will come across the fishing village, which has a ton of shops and a giant fake lighthouse (which you cannot walk to the top of).
Along the main street of the fishing village, there are many shops to explore. The builders were also very smart to build a roof over the area.
Fake cannons.
View of more shops at the fishing village.
Kids playing games near one of the shops at the fishing village.
Mermaid Show
The mermaid performance is the premier show at Farglory Ocean World. On a busy day, you might not be able to see it, so you should book online here in advance, but it costs an additional 200 NT to book the show in advance.
We did not pay the extra money to book in advance. We just waited in line for the last show of the day and were able to get in (but it was like a half hour wait).
A merman also entered the show.
Two mermaids are swimming toward one another.
The mermaids can only stay underwater for so long before they must come up for air.
Somehow, they are also able to put on lots of underwater makeup.
Merpeople performing underwater backflips.
Closeup on the merman.
Mermaid dance.
Three mermaids together.
Another mermaid dance.
Once the performance is over, you can take photos with the mermaids for as long as they can hold their breath.
Or you can take selfies with the merman.
Obviously, the mermaids are more popular.
Gondola Ride
There is also a gondola that covers the length of the park, and makes going to the top a lot easier.
The line was not very long to get on when we visited.
View of onlookers as we passed them.
View looking down at the main gondola station.
View of the dolphin area from the gondola.
View of the Ferris Wheel.
View looking further up at the main castle.
View of the “Splash Mountain”-esque roller coaster, which is closed during the winter.
Making our way higher to the top.
On the right side here, you can see the kiddie theme park.
View of the fountain at the main theme park.
Dolphin Area and Dolphin Show
In front of the dolphin theater, you can find this “happy street” with some restaurants and tables around.
We watched the dolphin show twice during the day, and both times it was packed. It is best to get there at least ten minutes early to make sure you get a good seat.
The show started with a skit where a dolphin saves someone during a storm.
First view of a dolphin leaping out of the air.
More dolphin splashes.
The dolphins jump at once.
More jumping dolphins.
Another view of the jumping whales.
Closeup on a jumping dolphin.
Dolphin coming to rescue the dude on the kayak.
Dolphin jumps over a dude.
Dolphin coming up for a snack.
Dolphin coming to save this guy.
A man riding a dolphin.
All the dolphins jumping at once.
Another dolphin jumping.
Air dolphin.
Another shot of a flying sea creature.
Double marine mammal flight.
A dolphin coming in for a treat.
Another view of the dude riding a dolphin.
View of the Dolphin Stadium after it has emptied out.
Seal / Sea Lion Show
The next-best show is the seal and sea lion performance. This performance also has its own large theater to enjoy it from.
The sea lion is really loud.
The seals put on a rescue performance.
Trainers constantly feed them fish throughout.
The seas got angrier and angrier throughout the day.
Seal head-butting a ball.
Another seal is playing with its ball.
A seal diving down from its perch.
The seal gets a pat on the head.
The crowd of spectators. I think that actually most of these people live on the east coast of Taiwan.
A volunteer is approached by a seal.
The sea lion comes on and gives a mighty roar.
They walk the seals back and forth between the stage and their tank in the back here.
The seal enjoying its meal.
View of the seal tank.
Empty seal auditorium.
Manitee Show
The manatee show is in the same room as the mermaid show, but usually fewer people go see it.
Here, the manatee is fed some broccoli.
More hand-feeding of the manatee.
Wider view of the audience here during the show.
Indoor Kid Ball Pit
Nearby, there is also a small kids’ play area and a ball pit indoors.
In the same space, there is also a small area where kids can play with LEGO.
Throughout the day, there are also parades that you can see that go through the streets of the theme park.
View from near the amusement ride area.
Amusement Ride Area
The top of the theme park features the amusement ride area, which has two large roller coasters and many smaller rides.
Pirate ship ride.
Instagram shot with Godzilla.
Burger joint near the amusement park.
Fountain in front of the main castle.
Water bumper car ride.
American-themed gift shop.
We also went on this roller coaster ride twice. It was pretty fun, but also kid-friendly.
The roller coaster goes along this blue track.
There is also this ride that shoots you into the air.
Another smaller pirate ship ride.
Kraken play area.
Another view of the water bumper cars.
We also rode on this a few times when the lines were not too long.
View of the merry-go-round.
Aerial view of the amusement ride area.
Another aerial view of the amusement ride area.
Wide view from the amusement ride area.
Another view with the roller coaster in the foreground.
Unfortunately, we missed out on the live mermaid play that was going on at the castle here.
View of the main castle.
For some reason, there is a giant bridge here that is closed off.
Ferriss Wheel
No, we did not forget about the Ferris Wheel.
It started raining a bit when we got on, which was a big change from the sunny weather in the morning.
View of the angry ocean below.
View looking back at the castle.
View as we took the Gondola back down.
Aquarium
There is actually an aquarium inside Ocean World. The entrance is through these vines.
I think the theme of this aquarium is tropical waters.
Fake sea turtle and some sea critters.
Another wide view of the tropical fish area.
Horshoe crab.
More tropical fish.
Cliffs and Channels
When seawater strikes a reef wall at about a 90-degree angle, it causes a large amount of upward water flow, creating turbulence. This environment makes it difficult for divers to approach safely, but it provides a good habitat for many reef organisms.
Filter-Feeding Organisms
Organisms living here often use their tentacles or gill structures to filter organic particles carried by the strong currents for food. Examples include feather stars, soft corals, sea fans, and sponges. These creatures rely on the continuous movement of water to bring in nutrients, making cliffs and channels an ideal place for them to thrive.
The Disguise of Stripes
Some reef fish, such as angelfish, develop stripes or special body patterns when young. These serve as camouflage, confusing predators and improving their survival rate. As they grow, these juvenile patterns gradually disappear and transform into the distinct markings of adult fish.
Filter-Feeding Organisms (濾食性的生物)
- 羽毛海星 (Feather Star)
- Extends feather-like arms to capture plankton drifting in the current.
- 軟珊瑚 (Soft Coral)
- Flexible, tree-like corals that sway with the water flow, filtering nutrients.
- 海扇 (Sea Fan / Gorgonian Coral)
- Fan-shaped corals with a network structure, efficient at trapping plankton.
- 海綿 (Sponge)
- Simple animals that filter large volumes of water for organic matter.
Striped Camouflage (斑變的外衣)
Juvenile vs. Adult Angelfish (examples shown with photos):
- 六帶刺蝶魚 (Sixbanded Angelfish, juvenile) → 皇后神仙 (Queen Angelfish, adult)
- Juveniles show strong banding that fades with age.
- 圓斑刺蝶魚 (Emperor Angelfish, juvenile) → 皇帝神仙 (Emperor Angelfish, adult)
- Dramatic striped pattern in young fish; develops into bold horizontal bands in adults.
- 藍面神仙 (Blueface Angelfish, juvenile/adult)
- Juveniles have curving white/blue stripes; adults gain a yellow body with blue mask.
- 黃背神仙 (Yellowback Angelfish, juvenile/adult)
- Body color transforms from striped to bright yellow-backed adult form.
- 藍帶神仙 (Blueband Angelfish, juvenile/adult)
- Juvenile stripes turn into striking yellow/blue body with curved bands.
- 藍面神仙 (another image — Blueface Angelfish adult)
Another view of the channel fish.
Here we enter this neon tunnel.
Jellyfish exhibit.
Bue Jellyfish.
Green Jellyfish.
A huge eel.
More fish in a bigger tank.
Another view of the larger fish tank.
Fish Feeding Show
Here you can also see the diver feed other fish and rays.
A ray swims near the glass.
Diver surrounded by rays and sharks.
There is also a tunnel here where you can see the sharks from underneath.
View from inside the tunnel where there is also an escalator.
Manta Ray floating over the tunnel.
Grouper fish.
Shark.
View looking back at the fish tunnel.
More small fish exhibits.
Giant lobster.
Aquarium gift shop.
From here, you can also see the seals swimming.
Tide pool area.
Otter House
Another cool place to check out is the otter house. It is at the end of the street behind the aquarium.
Here we saw an otter eat its meal of sushi.
And then it took a bath.
Walking back through the tunnel to the parking lot.
Someones car got tons of saltwater on it.
View looking back at the Ocean Park.
Aerial view of the park from the entrance.
Aerial view of the park from near the amusement park.
Last view from the castle looking back at Hualien.
Remember that you can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Hualien here.
Check out our guide to Taiwan’s East Coast here.
Check out our full Taiwan Amusement Park Guide here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.
