May 26 2008
Splash Island
Time flies really fast. Standing in front of Splash Island, I smiled at the thought that the first time I was here, I was still single and in school. I’ve been back here so many times, but today is different. Today, I’m taking my two-year old son to this wonderful waterworld. Children naturally love playing in water and I thought my son would enjoy this oasis, which is a few kilometers away from the concrete Metro Manila jungle. When it comes to water fun, I must say the Splash Island is one of the best in the Philippines today.
Anyway, should you intend to visit Splash Island, I suggest you immediately look for a table, hut or place where you could place your things. That’s necessary if you have a few bags with you, but you could always use the locker in case you have not much stuff with you. You can’t bring in water and food, so save yourself the hassle of bringing baon. When you’re ready to go enjoy, change into your swimming gear and take a shower at the Shower Room.
Here are some of the stops you may find interesting: Magellan’s Drop (mat-race ride; downhill slide with you on your belly), Rio Montanosa (also called family raft, the starting point is higher than the Magellan’s Drop, with bigger rafts enough to accommodate the entire family). If you want to warm up your butt and slide, take the Dos Supremos and the King Pilipit (both with no mat or rubber — just you and the slide). If you want to slide but prefer a rubber raft between the surface and your behind, take the Big Bam Boo and the Twisted Palms. If you just want to sit around and imagine that you’re at the beach, try the Agos Grandes, a swimming pool with waves.
Splash Island is not entirely for the teens and adults. Children could also run around and enjoy at the Water Wahoo, although it’s not unusual to see adults also enjoying the place. At the back of Water Wahoo are water slides for children (Twin Coco Knot and Curl-of-the-Orient). I thought my son would be afraid of the slides, but here he is enjoying the kiddie slide (and subsequently came to conquer the tallest slide — the Rio Montanosa).
All the activities will definitely make you hungry, so either buy food from the stalls around the place or at the main foodcourt — Fiesta sa Pulo (among the outlets at the food court is Kenny Roger’s Roasters). After eating, relax a bit by floating around the entire area through the Balsa River. Grab a “raft,” then just go with the flow around the entire place.
Splash Island is not open throughout the year, most probably because the revenue is not enough to cover the operating costs during the rainy season. Splash Island is open only between March and June. This year, I heard they will operate only until June 15, in time for the start of classes.
How much. Admission fee is different in weekdays and weekends. During weekdays, admission fee is P250 for adults and P200 for children/senior citizens. On weekends, admission fee is P325 for adults and P250 for children/senior citizens. Children under 36″ are free of charge.
How to get there. Splash Island is found at the Southwoods Ecocentrum, Binan, Laguna. It’s in the direction of Enchanted Kingdom. After the Susana Heights exit and San Pedro exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), get off through the Southwoods exit then turn right. When you see a fork in the road after around 50 meters, take the left road. Just go straight and you’ll see Splash Island. You could always ask for directions from the guards posted in some intersections of Southwoods Ecocentrum. If you’re hopelessly lost (or if you want to make inquiries), try 928-0507 or 410-8100.
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[...] flies really fast. Standing in front of Splash Island (Laguna), I smiled at the thought that the first time I was here, I was still single and in school. [...]
Splash was a disappointment. I ve been bringing my sons every year for the past 5 years. This years was the worst. The water was green , the bathrooms are dirty and dont even have decent locks. The slides are leaking. The floatation rings dont have handles. The surf board looking float board in the big slide is very pathetic. Its broken already . In fact its dangerous to use it. It s really such a waste. Its fun place but just badly managed.
Gilbert, yes, there are a lot of things that could be said about the place, much more than the ones you’ve mentioned, although during the time we went there, the water wasn’t really green. Let’s just say it’s not the same like when I first went there years ago. Still, as you’ve mentioned, it’s a fun place to be and I would not hesitate to bring my kids back there. As to the “badly-managed” side, I don’t know and I don’t want to comment. Let’s look at the glass half-full and hope that the facilities are improved. Otherwise, as in any business that fails or refuses to keep up with the times, it will simply die a natural death. I really hope that won’t happen.
If your looking for a place in laguna or fuego..i advice you to check http://www.balaycelina.blogspot.com
ian, thanks for the suggestion. We’ll sure check the place when we’re in that area and, of course, write our review here.