Mactan Aquarium

Regarded as one of the animal preservation entities in the Philippines, the Mactan Aquarium, is one of the few that focuses mainly on fishes and other sea creatures. Even though it is not at par with Ocean Park in Manila at the moment, the Mactan Aquarium boasts its growing wide array of live sea creatures and corals.

The Mactan Aquarium, also known as Mactan Island Aquarium, is located in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-lapu City in Mactan. It is managed by Lucille Taylor, the Filipina wife of a British Marine Biologist who was determined to build the Mactan Aquarium in the city and have the first of its kind in Cebu and Mactan area.

The regular entrance fee is P250 for adults and P200 for children. To lure the locals to learn more about the marine life, they discounted the rates for Filipinos at P100 for adults and P75 for children.

Mactan Island Aquarium Logo

Some of the Fishes in Mactan Aquarium

Mactan Aquarium

The Mactan Aquarium Tour includes a free guided tour for a maximum of 30 people per guide, watch the live sharks, hundreds of sea creatures all found in the Philippines, live corals and coral garden all housed in a 550 square meter area. There are free kiddie activities such as puzzles, quiz and coloring for them to enjoy after the tour if they choose to. They can leave their artwork at the kiddies corner or opt to bring it home.

Creatures inside Mactan Aquarium

In every aquarium inside the Mactan Island Aquarium, there’s a printout of “fast facts” about the sea creature including its English and Scientific Names, maximum size and diet among many others. Most aquariums are painted in blue, well-lighted and decorated by plants and corals to look similar to an ocean atmosphere.

At Mactan Island Aquarium, you can actually feed a shark, of course not in the water but through the top opening of the shark container and it has an extra fee of P750 per session. You can also see Sea Turtles, Nemo (the popular clown fish character), Poisonous Lionfish, Octopus, Jellyfish, Seahorses and a lot more.

Souvenirs - Fishermen made from Shells

Souvenirs - Rabbits made from Shells

Mactan Aquarium also sells souvenir items such as shirts at P230 to P260 and shell-crafts at P20 to P60. And if you think you need something to eat and drink, they also sell snacks, junk foods and beverages.

The Mactan Aquarium is open every day of the week from 10 am to 6 pm. There are few instances that the crew closes early so be sure to contact them prior to visiting the place.

One of the Aquariums

How to get to Mactan Aquarium

Mactan Aquarium is located in the eastern part on the island of Mactan which can be traversed from Cebu using the 2 connecting bridges. The shortest and easiest way is taking the Marcelo Fernan Bridge (New Bridge), going to the Quezon National Highway. Be sure you pass the Mactan Economic Zone 1 and the road will have a curve going east. From MEZ 1, drive about 4 kilometers then take the right once you see the marker going to Maribago. Another 4 kilometers (not 2 km as what they posted on their street banners) going to Maribago, you will reach a fork. Take the right, the left takes you to Maribago Bluewater Resort. The Mactan Aquarium is located just beside the Shell Gasoline Station. Asking for information from locals may be of great help.

Mactan Aquarium Contact Information

For more information about Mactan Aquarium, please call Lucille Taylor at telephone number (+63)(32)236-6248 or cellular phone number (+63)919-4851276 and tell her you got this information from Mark Maranga so she would give me a free guided tour together with several kids on my next visit. =)

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.