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By Joel D, Pinaroc

There are quite a few swimming resorts and theme water parks in Bulacan, but when it comes to variety and accessibility, 8 Waves Water Park in San Rafael, Bulacan, remains hard to beat.

Summer may have ended, but the fun continues at 8 Waves, with the sheer variety of family-oriented activities centered on numerous swimming and wading pools found at the resort.

The resort is also found right smack along the national highway, such that first-time visitors will not need to look at a road map, and can easily locate the place by merely “following the road signs.”

A mere 1 and ½ hours away from Manila, 8 Waves also boasts of water slides, and numerous water fountains, in a sprawling complex surrounded by hectares and hectares of rice fields. The centerpiece of the resort is a huge wave pool, powered by an artificial wave maker, delivering waves averaging 2 to 3 feet.

What’s more, the resort has its own hotel, and although the hotel facility may not be 5-star, it comes complete with a restaurant, ample parking space, and a business center.

However, visitors can also opt to use the numerous huts ands cottages.

While visitors may enjoy the water park on a day-visit, it is highly recommendable that families or groups spend at least an overnight stay to fully enjoy what the resort has to offer.

So if you’re looking to have a go and take that after-summer getaway you’ve always wanted, 8 Waves is the place for you to go.

The Road to 8 Waves

It is advisable to prep up your visit to 8 Waves as early a possible.

The road trip is a breeze, if you’re driving your own vehicle and using the North Luzon Expressway to go to Bulacan, and exiting at the Sta. Rosa toll gate. First times visitors can immediately see numerous road signs pointing to 8 Waves.

The good thing is, visitors need not stray off the highway.

Reservations to the hotel are not required, but calling in advance is recommended particularly during peak days.

The park opens around 9am, and check in time is about 2pm. Early visitors can spend the extra time to walk around the resort or go right in and swim while their rooms are being prepared.

There are several water fountains found along the resort grounds. One of the favorite picture-taking spots is the giant blue whale, with its water spout, and jolly smile.

The air-conditioned rooms are not exactly 5-star, but are clean and well-maintained. All of the rooms have a nice view of the surrounding areas, particularly facing the highway and the parking space.

The grounds at the hotel are carefully manicured, with miniature palms trees, and Bermuda grass.

The resort is really focused on group visits, because the parking lot makes up almost half of the resort’s total land area.

The reception area has enough space for families and groups to lounge around. The Pancake House, a popular chain, is the hotel’s in-house restaurant, offering several Filipino dishes alongside its widely popular pancake selections.

Swimming and Wading Pools

When it comes to swimming pool, there are a lot to choice from. 8 Waves apparently made sure that all visitors, even those not old enough to swim, would find a suitable pool and play areas for them to enjoy.

There are kiddie pools, which are actually ankle-deep wading pools where parents and their toddlers can frolic in; complete with a comical replica of “Noah’s Ark” and surrounded by colorful coconut “trees” that spew water out of their palm “leaves.”

There is a children’s pool that is 2-to-3 feet deep, complete with water fountains right in the middle of the pool. There are a couple of swimming pools for adults, ranging from 5 to 6 feet, and equipped with water slides and water jets.

One of the swimming falls even has a sheer wall, where flowing water, simulating a water falls, can be found. And even if you forgot to bring along your sun block lotion, there is even a covered pool.

There is a simple bar, adjacent to one of the swimming pools, but management strictly forbids swimmers to bring along their alcoholic drinks near the pools.

Night swimming is permitted in some of the swimming pools, but nothing beats day-swimming where visitors can do the rounds and enjoy all that 8 Waves Water Park can offer.

For more information, you can call their numbers: 2998234 and 2998270.

Tags: 8 Waves Water Park, Bulacan Resorts, Philippine Travel Tip