Candon City Aquarium and Park features aquarium exhibits showcasing a diverse array of marine organisms from various ecosystems, a first of its kind in Ilocos Sur.
Every New Year’s Day, my family and I have a tradition of spending time together in a calm and meaningful place to celebrate the new year. We usually visit parks, outdoor resorts, and less touristy attractions, where we can unwind and ease into the year ahead without rushing. This year, as we were driving south of Ilocos Sur, I suggested that we visit Candon City Aquarium and Park, and it turned out to be a great choice for us.
Overview of Candon City Aquarium and Park
The first of its kind in the province, Candon City Aquarium and Park features several aquariums filled with a variety of marine creatures. Located in Brgy. Darapidap, Candon City, this attraction has three main exhibits that showcase different marine ecosystems. Its strong focus on marine biodiversity sets it apart from other attractions in the province (and possibly even the region), making it a standout eco-tourism destination for families, students, and biodiversity enthusiasts.
Outside the aquarium, visitors can explore the park—a wide green space with a playground, perfect for both kids and adults. Here, children can play freely while you relax and enjoy the nearby ocean view.
The aquarium and park are open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Ticket prices are as follows:
- 13 years old and above – Php 250
- 12 years old and below – Php 150
- Senior Citizens – Php 200
- Kids 2 feet below – FREE
- Persons with disabilities (PWD) – FREE
Please take note that they only accept cash payments as of the writing of this article. You can check out the Candon City Tourism Facebook page for updated information regarding their prices.
Different Aquarium Exhibits at Candon City Aquarium and Park
The Coral Passage
The first series of tanks invites you on a journey through the vibrant and diverse world of coral reefs, one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth. Each tank represents a carefully recreated reef zone that you can only find deep within the ocean floor. Some of the zones you can find here include the following:
Kingdom of the Quiet Current
This tank features giant clams, seahorses, and gobies. My dad liked them so much that he spent a few extra minutes standing there, fascinated by how gently the seahorses moved. You can tell that this is the kingdom of the quiet current because everything here moves gently, as if time itself has slowed down.
Living Reef Sanctuary
This tank showcases a diverse ecosystem with a variety of reef-building corals and fish, such as the Moorish Idol. As someone particularly interested in ecology, the interaction among the organisms caught my attention. It was honestly hard to walk away once I noticed how much was happening in just one tank!
Nemo neighborhood
This tank features the amazing symbiotic relationships – the clownfish and the sea anemone. Of course, visitors would immediately think of Finding Nemo because of the clownfish that thrive there. It’s one of those tanks that makes you smile first before you even realize you’re learning something.
Of course, there are more tanks in this exhibit, and it is up to you to discover them once you visit the aquarium. Part of the fun is wandering from one tank to the next without really knowing what you’ll see, then suddenly stopping because something catches your eye.
The Ocean’s Balance
After leaving the Coral Passage, we entered another room called “The Ocean’s Balance.” In this exhibit, we found two bigger tanks. Each tank showcases a distinctive ecosystem. But as their posters say, this is where harmony and hunger coexist.
Stepping inside, you can encounter fishy friends such as rabbitfish and the bannerfish. These animals glide gently through seaweed and coral gardens. You can also encounter fierce fins such as the stingray and grouper. These are powerful carnivores with sharp appetites.
My mother particularly liked the tank with the stingrays, and I couldn’t help but watch her face light up as they glided gracefully through the water. She kept pointing out their smooth movements and the way they seemed almost like underwater dancers.
Shark Reef Encounter
Head out of the second room and proceed immediately to the third room. In here, you will encounter a shark reef, complete with a shiver of blacktip sharks. These sharks aren’t aggressive towards humans. They are associated with coral reefs.
We spent most of our time here because we couldn’t help but be in awe of how graceful the sharks were as they glided around the tank. I kept nudging my family, whispering, “Look at how they just aimlessly swim!” while my mom gasped every time one swam past her. I don’t think any of us wanted to leave.
Eventually, we found ourselves outside the shark reef encounter. And that concluded our aquarium tour.
The Park
Besides the aquariums, there’s a park with a playground that’s perfect for kids. And honestly, adults, too. We didn’t get to explore it since we were short on time, but it gave us the perfect excuse to soak up every last minute of the cool ocean breeze while just hanging out and enjoying the view. If you have kids with you, though, this is a perfect place for them to play as you unwind.
How to Go to Candon City Aquarium and Park
Getting there from Vigan City or Manila is pretty easy. For those with private cars, you can use Google Maps and pin it to the Candon City Aquarium and Park.
But if you are commuting, here’s a straightforward way to do so. Get off the poblacion at Candon City. Hop on a tricycle and tell the driver to take you to the location in Brgy. Darapidap. You know you are near when you can finally spot this huge signage.
Visiting Candon City? You can stop by Cafe Bossa and Bonita’s Cafe to fill your hungry stomachs after exploring the aquarium.
Wrapping Up
As the first aquarium in Ilocos Sur (and in the region as well) to feature diverse marine organism exhibits, the Candon City Aquarium and Park holds a special place in the province’s tourism landscape. I feel like there’s more in store, given the expansive grounds stretching beyond the aquarium, and I can’t wait to go back and see what’s next.
As someone with a background in Biology, this attraction felt like a little haven. I learned so much about marine organisms, and even casual visitors can easily pick up fascinating insights. If you’re exploring Candon City or the surrounding areas, this aquarium and park is definitely a worthwhile stop, offering both learning and leisure in a single visit.
