Almost everyone’s idea of summer is staying anyplace by the ocean, but if you’re okay with the idea of spending a whole day without dipping your toes in the sand, then hopefully you’ll have a good time at this waterpark in Mabalacat, Pampanga!

We’re all just looking for ways to escape the summer heat 

As much as we wish for some kind of magical remote control to exist so we can adjust the insufferable temperature, there’s just no escaping the hot and humid outdoors. We’re in the Philippines, after all. Some have developed the habit of taking a bath one too many times and blasting the A/C, while others came up with plans to head to the nearest pool or beach to cool off. That’s fair. Just know that there’s another temporary heat escape plan!

If you want a different experience and you’ve got time and money to spare, try Aqua Planet! The 10,000-hectare resort (the largest water park in the Philippines) boasts over 38 slides & attractions, and is perfect for those who want to get soaked.

Laze away in a chill attraction, or scream your lungs out in an intense water slide with tubes that swing you right to left into a grand splash down! It’s totally your call. 

A waterpark adventure that will let your inner child out awaits

The adrenaline rush provided by a waterpark isn’t exclusive to little ones. Feel free to let that inner child out as you slip and slide the day away!

Aqua Planet opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm, so you need to strategize how to make the most out of your stay. We came as soon as the park opened and this allowed us to try every attraction at least 3x. Yay! Return on investment! Haha. Admission rates on a weekday is P880 for kids (below 4 feet), and P1,080 for adults. There’s a slight increase if it’s a weekend or a holiday: P1,080 for kids and P1,280 for adults. Just like other parks, you can expect a discounted rate if it’s your birthday, or if you are qualified for their other promotions.

Our group started with the Lazy Wave River to “warm up,” and we eventually made our way through other rides in varying levels of extremity. We just thought that getting accustomed to the simple twists would better prepare us for the intense ones with crazy loops and speeds. I’m glad we did that. 

At the time of our visit (March 2023), not all water rides were operated simultaneously. I’m guessing this isn’t the case if you’re visiting on an extremely busy day, though!

Park Map

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Personal Ride Ratings 

I won’t bore you with the details of how each ride works, but here’s what I think about my experience with each. 

Aqua Loop

• I wasn’t my bravest self that day so I skipped the 100-meter free-fall into a heart-stopping 360-degree-loop.
• Looking at the ride, I was left with thoughts of I don’t want to leave my soul up there in the Launch Pad, and Pass!
• My cousin and brother-in-law braved the ride. Good for them.

Boogie Bay

• Exciting but I didn’t spend too much time here.
• Water gets deep, so be careful!

Flow Rider

• If you don’t want your board shorts to be blasted off your hips, you better make sure they fit you perfectly. HAHAHA
• Expect high-volume pumps of water, a test of core strength, and a direct view of the queue or the equally thrilled audience who will politely laugh at your balancing attempts. 

Hurricane

• I remember the purple slide being the best and the fastest course.
• Super fun! You can easily spend 5 consecutive tries for Hurricane, and you’d still find yourself excited to do it again.

Octopus Racers

• Looks scary when you’re waiting at the launch pad because you’d be racing down head first, but I swear all that fear will disappear as soon as you start.  
• Ideal for those looking to start a healthy competition with the group!

Superbowl

• So this is what it feels like to be flushed down the toilet. 
• The first drop was scary and will take you by surprise.
• Wait for the grand splash down!

Wave River

• A lazy and relaxing ride that will make you want to nap.
• Stay soaked while waiting for your stomach to digest whatever you ate before going for the more intense rides. 

Spiral Slides

• A pretty decent slide, but not the type you’d try over and over because of the thrill.
• A good warmup for the Tornado!

Tornado

• Personally, I think this one’s the best ride in the park.
• Quite intimidating especially if you view this ride from afar, but once you try it… 10/10 – addicting!

Wave Pool

• Perfect if you want to chill.
• You might want to stay here if there’s a DJ event or something. 

What to expect

Spacious parking 

We visited Aqua Planet on a weekday so parking wasn’t really a problem. It’s spacious, and free of charge too! Since the summer season has already begun (peak season), you definitely need to manage your expectations and perhaps come early to secure a parking slot. 

Use of Planet Band

Aqua Planet’s RFID wristband is called a “Planet Band.” This is used as an entry and exit pass. Take note that you’re only allowed to enter the establishment once, and re-entry is not allowed. Before entering the park, make sure you have all your things with you.

Cashless feature 

Aqua Planet is a cashless facility. You won’t be able to bring in your bills, but you can just load the Planet Band (functions like an e-wallet) with the amount you want for a hassle-free transaction. The minimum load is from P300-P350. That should be okay if you want to eat some snacks, get a drink, or have lunch (good for 1). If the balance becomes low, or if it comes down to zero, you can always add more.

Don’t worry if you’re not able to consume the amount in your wristband because you get to refund the remaining load at the end of the day! This is only valid on the same day of your visit and is not refundable anymore after leaving the park. 

How to use: Tap away to purchase food or other merchandise.

Amenities

You’ll find umbrellas, tables, and chairs everywhere. These are free of charge and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. If you want to chill somewhere more comfortable (spacious or even air-conditioned rooms), then you can rent the premium amenities (Cabana, Suite, and Lounge).

Queues (Registration/Rides)

Expect crazy waiting lines during the peak season. We just got lucky with a longest waiting time of only 5 minutes because we visited on a weekday. Climbing up the staircase consumed more time than lining up for a ride, and the actual ride itself!

Safe storage for your valuables

There are lockers inside the park, and you can access those using the Planet Band. You can just ask friends to share with you. We were a group of 4 when we visited, and our bags did not only fit, but still left some space for a few more. Let’s just say you can fit around 3 big bags inside!

Intense heat

This goes without saying. It’s so hot that we’d sometimes have trouble determining whether we’re still wet from the ride, or if we’re already sweating. You also wouldn’t want to walk barefoot as you explore the waterpark or go up the staircase because the extreme heat will burn your feet. Make sure you’ve applied and you will reapply your sunscreen to prevent harmful UV rays from entering your skin. This also brings me to my next point.

Hydration

You would think that with all the water around, you’re good. However, the heat will make you uncomfortable, and you need to regulate your body temperature by drinking enough water. Health Reminder: you can easily become ill from the heat if your body can’t compensate for it and properly cool you off. 

Climbing up the stairs with a raft in hand

Some rides require you to carry the rafts up to the launch pad. It’s not that heavy, but it can be tiring because you’d have to go up several flights of stairs. 

Weight limit for rides

An Aqua Planet staff will give a safety briefing and take individual and group weights before granting you access to the rides. Visitors should meet the weight requirement (it varies per slide), or else they will be denied. As for the minimum weight, it’s 39.92 kg.

Wave Pool Party

There were no events when we came, but I heard weekends make for interesting visits with the DJ events and all that. 

Happiness also comes in waterpark waves

When I was a kid, summer seemed like such a dream because it gave me the annual excuse to be lazy, and I still made it count for something. Now that I’m an adult, well, I try to squeeze in a bit of summer to get a dose of happiness. If that bit comes in the form of a waterpark, I’d gladly take it. Lol.

Want a #WatermazingExperience? You know where to go!  

Aqua Planet Details

Address: Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga
Contact No.: +63(45)6498500
Email: info@aquaplanet.ph