Ocean World

The Dominican Republic’s Most Spectacular Entertainment Complex

by Habeeb Salloum

“Make sure when the fish drops from your hand you do not reach down to grab it or the shark will bite off your fingers, thinking they are fish.” The shark trainer at the Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina and Casino in Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic’s north coast resort city, was jokingly entertaining a group waiting to feed then swim with the sharks. I looked at the participants and noted that some looked somewhat nervous.

At first I thought that the trainer was serious but soon realized as he petted and flipped over these creatures of the sea that the sharks were friendly and well-trained and there was no fear that the participants would be harmed. They were a drawing card to the most important entertainment spot in Puerto Plata - some say in the whole Dominican Republic.

One of the most complete recreation complexes in the country, Ocean World is located on Confresi Beach just 5 km (3 mi) west of Puerto Plata. It is a huge and unique entertainment world that consists of an elegant marina and an adventure park where guests romp with the creatures of the sea, as well as enjoying bars, restaurants, an impressive casino, disco-lounge, and a theatre offering which must be the most spectacular show in the Caribbean.

We entered the complex through a huge manmade waterfall then as we parked our van one of our group remarked, “A free car wash!”  Entering the lobby we found that we had a wide choice of what to see and do: from swimming with dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, and sharks to watching tigers and dozens of different types of fish in an Aquarian or walking through a bird sanctuary. It was a fine selection of activities for enjoying the world of nature.

All this was made possible by Ludwig Alfred Meister, a German national who was born in 1934 and as a youth immigrated to the U.S.A. In 1959 he returned to Germany where through ever-expanding businesses made a fortune. In 1978, after Meister sold his businesses he planned to retire but that was not to be for an ambitious man of 44. He soon plunged into establishing new projects for travellers.

Meister had never dealt with tourism and now this industry for him was a challenge. He began by constructing time-share apartments in the U.S.A. then followed this by building two super tour destinations for cruise ships on Blue Lagoon and another on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. Later, he built Treasure City, encompassing a large marina complex, a golf course and much more.

Then came his crowning glory, ‘Ocean World’ - a dream come true and this world of pleasure we had come to explore and enjoy some of its offerings. “I am dreaming of swimming with the dolphins and hugging them and playing with the seals!” One of our group remarked as we walked down to where the dolphins were romping in the water.

A highlight of a visit to ‘Ocean World’ is the Dolphin Lagoon, the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world. It is the top attraction for visitors to this part of the Dominican Republic. Here, guests encounter and feed, hug, kiss and pet the handsome and playful Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, one on one in their environment. For onlookers, it is a joy to see visitors diving or swimming along side these playful mammals.

“Look! Doesn’t it look beautiful?” A woman standing beside me asked while watching a sea lion posing above a mother and young daughter for a picture. The scene told more than in words the appeal of the Patagonian sea lions that draw great reviews from newspapers and other media outlets. Guests playing ball with seals as well as feeding, kissing, petting then taking with these rambunctious clowns of the sea always draw the crowds. 

No less interesting are the shark encounters where an exciting variety of Bonnet Head, Nurse and Brown sharks are fed and petted by visitors, who afterward swim and snorkel with what some consider to be fearful animals of the deep.  

For those who love adventure and the outdoors these offerings of interaction of humans with the creatures of the sea are not all that ‘Ocean World’ is about. There are stingray encounters; snorkeling amid hundreds of exotic fishes in Snorkel Reef Aquarium, walking through the Rainforest and Aviary - a re-creation of a perfect tropical rainforest with its birds, rocky lagoons and sandy beaches; the Tiger Grotto where visitors can feed the tigers through a hole in the glass - the highlight of the tropical rain forest; and above all the ‘Ocean World Marina. 

Built on a 14 (35 ac) area, it features 104 slips and can accommodate ships up to 76 m (250 ft) long. Designated as a Port of entry by the Dominican Republic’s government, it offers complete immigration and custom facilities.

As the evening sets in it is the time for the magical night at ‘Ocean World’s stunning casino complex. It begins with an exquisite and scrumptious dinner featuring such foods as lobster and prime rib in a lush eating place overlooking the Ocean World Marina and beyond the sea.

When visitors are sated they are escorted to the theatre where they can enjoy the Bravissimo Show - one of the most magnificent Las Vegas -like shows in the Caribbean. Spectacular dancers and singers clad in fantastic headgears and costumes, take guests on an enchanted journey into the world of beauty and fantasy. As the attractive dancers came out every few minutes in A different one of their 128 costumes, I thought to myself, “Can there be any more mesmerizing show in the world?” It was a perfect ending to a totally fulfilling day at Puerto Plata’s ‘Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina and Casino’ - an ultimate establishment of entertainment.

For Further Information About ‘Ocean World:

For Reservations and Information – Park -Tel: (809) 291-1000; Marina –(809) 970-3373.  Fax: (809) 291-2255; Head Office/Groups ask for Tania -Tel: (809) 291-1111.  Fax: (809) 291-2226.  E-Mail Sites: www.oceanworld.net, www.oceanworldcasino.com and www.oceanworldmarina.com

Admission Fee to the Park - Adults $55. As well, there are extra charges for some of the activities.

Dinner and Show at the Casino - $65.