During my son’s week-long semestral break in October 2024, we decided to take a road trip across the Visayas. Our route was ambitious - Mactan to Dumaguete, then on to Moalboal, Tabuelan, Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, and finally back to Mactan. In the middle of all that, we gave ourselves 2 days in Dumaguete to explore the city and unwind a little.
One of the stops we added to our itinerary was Port Royale Waterpark Resort Dumaguete. We’ve been to Port Royale Tacloban so we thought it was a good idea to visit their Dumaguete resort as well. With our son eager to swim anywhere, it felt like the perfect way to spend a day.
Since this post turned out detailed, I’ve added a Table of Contents below so you can skip to the parts you’re most interested in, whether it’s cabana tips, facilities, or how Dumaguete compares to Tacloban.
Our Dumaguete Experience – October 2024
We set aside one full day in Dumaguete for our visit to Port Royale Waterpark Resort. We arrived around 10 AM and stayed until about 4 PM.
The weather was bright and sunny when we got there, perfect for swimming. By mid-afternoon, rain clouds rolled in and gave us a shower, but it didn’t dampen the fun. In fact, it made the pools feel a little more playful. Our son laughed as raindrops splashed down on him while he went back and forth between the slides and the kiddie bucket.
Because it was a Monday, the resort was very quiet. When we arrived, there were only 2 other families. A few more showed up as the day went on, but even at its “busiest” it still felt calm. Compared to the noisier afternoons we had experienced in Tacloban, this was a refreshing change.
Getting to the resort was easy enough with Google Maps, although unlike the Tacloban branch that sits right along the main road, the Dumaguete location is tucked about 800 meters off the highway. It gave the place a more secluded feel. The parking lot was smaller than Tacloban’s but still manageable.
Checking in was simple, and the staff were friendly and professional. The first thing I noticed, though, was how different the atmosphere felt. Dumaguete’s Port Royale is older, and you can see that in the buildings and slides, but it had something Tacloban doesn’t: plenty of trees and the sea right beside it. The constant breeze and natural shade meant we were never uncomfortably hot, even in the middle of the day.
For the three of us, we spent about ₱1,300 total for the day, which already included a cabana, snacks, and drinks. After paying much higher totals in Tacloban with a group of 9, the difference in budget felt huge. For a small family, it was simple, affordable, and stress-free.
Facilities and Attractions at Port Royale Dumaguete
Even though the Dumaguete branch shares the same basic layout as Tacloban’s, it has its own character. The facilities were familiar but the environment gave them a different feel.
Pools and Slides
The pool setup was what we expected: a kiddie pool with slides and a giant tipping bucket, plus an adult pool that was about 4 feet deep. It was almost a mirror image of Tacloban’s, which made it easy for us to settle in.
The difference came with the condition and vibe. Dumaguete’s Port Royale is older, so it showed a bit of age compared to Tacloban’s newer, shinier pools. Since we went on a Monday, the staff were still cleaning from the weekend crowd when we arrived. The water was fine for swimming, but it didn’t look quite as fresh and clear as Tacloban’s.
The slides gave us our funniest moment of the day. My son, being on the lighter side, didn’t get enough speed going down the big slide. He ended up inching down slowly, laughing the whole time, and scooting forward with his hands until gravity helped him along. For him, it was all part of the fun.
Shade and Breeze
This is where Dumaguete outshines Tacloban. The resort is surrounded by trees and sits right beside the sea, so you get shade and a constant breeze. Even in the middle of the day, our cabana was comfortable. In Tacloban, by contrast, we had to fight the heat unless we splurged on a cabin room.
Cabanas and Comfort
For a small family like ours, the cabana was the right choice. It gave us a shaded space to rest, store our things, and snack in between swims. Since the resort wasn’t crowded, we even switched cabanas when the sun shifted, something you could never do in Tacloban once the place fills up.
If you’re just staying for a few hours and don’t need the full comfort of a private room, Dumaguete’s cabanas are more than enough—especially because of the trees and sea breeze.
The comfort rooms were clean and private, with no waiting in line. Food options were limited but fine for light snacks and drinks. If you’re looking for a full meal though, it’s better to eat before or after your visit in Dumaguete’s city center.
Tourist Logistics & Practical Info
Since we were only in Dumaguete for two days, we didn’t have the luxury of packing big family-style meals or extras the way we do in Tacloban. Instead, we approached Port Royale like tourists: light, simple, and practical.
What to Bring
- Towels: We just brought ours from Henia Hotel, which was more convenient than renting.
- Goggles: Highly recommended, especially for kids who like diving. The pools are chlorinated, and after a while it can sting the eyes.
- Sunscreen and swimwear: The trees and sea breeze help with the heat, but you’ll still need protection.
- Extra clothes: Always handy when heading back to the hotel or car.
Food and Drinks
We had a late breakfast at the hotel, so we weren’t very hungry. We bought snacks and drinks from the resort, which were reasonably priced for light bites. If you’re planning to eat more, I’d recommend grabbing food outside. Dumaguete has a fantastic food scene, and you’ll get more variety (and better value) at the public market or along the boulevard.
Location and Access
The resort is about 2.5 km from Henia Hotel and roughly 800 meters off the main road, tucked into a quieter, more residential area. Driving there was easy with Google Maps, but if you’re commuting, you’ll likely need to take a tricycle. Just note that when we left, there weren’t many waiting around, so it’s best to arrange your ride in advance.
Dumaguete vs Tacloban: Which Port Royale Is Better?
Since we had already been to Port Royale Tacloban twice before visiting Dumaguete, the comparisons came naturally. On the surface, the two waterparks look almost identical. Both have the same layout with a kiddie pool, adult pool, giant bucket, and slides. But once you spend a day in each, the differences become clear.
Facilities and Maintenance
- Tacloban: Bigger, newer, and better maintained. The pools look fresher, and the overall appearance feels more polished.
- Dumaguete: Older, and it shows in some areas. When we visited on a Monday morning, the pools were still being cleaned from the weekend crowd. It was fine for swimming, but it didn’t have that “freshly scrubbed” look.
Atmosphere
- Tacloban: Functional and efficient, but the inland location means it gets very hot. Unless you splurge on a cabin, the cabanas can feel uncomfortable at noon.
- Dumaguete: Cozy, breezy, and shaded. The sea right beside the resort plus the abundance of trees made it far more pleasant, even with just a cabana.
Crowd Levels
- Tacloban: Even on weekdays, the crowds build up by the afternoon.
- Dumaguete: Much quieter, at least during our Monday visit. Even when more families arrived later in the day, it never felt crowded.
Staff and Service
Service was about the same in both branches. Staff were polite, helpful, and professional. Tacloban did seem to have more lifeguards visible, but that could be tied to the higher number of guests they usually handle.
With that said, which resort is “better” really depends on your priorities. For locals in Tacloban, it’s the obvious choice because there aren’t many alternatives. ✌
Also, being from Tacloban City myself, I will be more likely to return to the Tacloban resort vs. Dumaguete since I visit my family often. It's just more convenient for me. For tourists in Dumaguete, where waterfalls, beaches, and other attractions vie for attention, the waterpark is a nice option but not the city's highlight.
Check out some of our pics in Port Royale Tacloban:
Final Recommendations & Verdict
For our family of three, Port Royale Waterpark Resort Dumaguete was a fun and easy way to spend a day. Our son had his fill of slides and swimming, my husband got to join in the Port Royale experience for the first time, and I enjoyed the slower pace compared to our big-group outings in Tacloban.
That said, if I had to rate it, I’d give Dumaguete’s Port Royale a 7/10. It was enjoyable, but it isn’t the kind of place we’d go out of our way to revisit. Dumaguete has so many natural attractions, e.g. waterfalls, beaches, and a lively food scene, that the waterpark feels more like a nice bonus than a must-do.
Would We Go Back?
Probably not. With so many other things to explore in Negros, we’d use our time differently next trip.
Who It’s Best For
- Families with kids who want a simple, no-fuss swimming day
- Tourists looking for a relaxed spot that’s close to Dumaguete City
- Parents who prefer shaded cabanas and a quieter vibe compared to busier waterparks
Final Thoughts
Dumaguete’s Port Royale isn’t perfect. It’s older, and it doesn’t have the polished look of Tacloban’s, but its cozy, breezy setting made our visit comfortable and memorable. If you’re in Dumaguete for a couple of days with kids in tow, it’s a good option to add to your itinerary.
Over to You!
Have you tried Port Royale Dumaguete, or maybe the Tacloban branch too? Which one did your family prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your take. 😊