general santos city fish port complex

RichieSel

A trip to the fish port of GenSan is a must. You'd have to go early in the morning and rent boots if you don't have them. Here you can see giant fish and tuna being carried, weighed or sold. Great photo opportunities in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines!

Soulman1949

A friend of a friend organised our visit to the Fish Port for us, as her husband works for one of the brokers there.We arrived after 6:30am and changed into wellington boots for reasons of safety. Then our mutual friend took us to her husband's stall where we saw tuna being unloaded from the boats and weighed. Amazing to see line-caught fish of that size (quite a few were between 60 and 80+ kilo), more than a metre long. I don't go for the typical tourist attractions and much prefer to see ordinary life taking place and as a wholesale market, this is certainly a place to do that. General Santos City is the tuna capital of the Philippines and a major contributor to their export business and this complex exports (mainly) tuna all over to the world.Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the whole business and answered my many questions in detail. A thoroughly enjoyable and extremely informative visit and recommended if you get a chance.

NathanSison

The place is clean and safe. It has become a tourist attraction when you explore General Santos city as its a place known for exporting Sardines and fresh supplies to Japan. All and all, General Santos is good for a one day trip if you are coming from Davao. What we did was a day visit to Gen San and head back before 5PM. Don't forget to miss this complex as it will provide you a different experience. Take note that you must visit early at around 5-6AM to see fresh fish being unloaded from sea vessels.

beautiful-looser

get there about 6am and have breakfast in the canteen when your done...just have taxi driver hang out with you for the hour you are walking around and treat him to breakfast..

shidoobe

Not much to do in General Santos so one day early in the morning we took a trip to this place.It was very interesting and I have never seen more tuna in my life!HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

772andy

No visit to gensan is complete without a trip to see the tuna,pacquiao used to work there so I was told,huge fish but the size has diminished over the years,some of the boats have small helicopters on for spotting shoals at sea,if you are in the area worth a look-see.

706mas

this place is fantastic if you want to see a real fish place. I never knew Tuna was so big!! The people there are friendly and happy to oblige pictures and to tell you about tuna. Great place

Fgarsuta

Dont miss to visit the Gensan Fish Port Complex early in the morning to catch a glimpse of gensan's tuna industry, in action and see those huge tuna species face to face. Unless you buy fish, an average tourist would spend an hour or less in the site and all is done. Worth the visit, be prepared though to get a little wet and smell fishy after the walking tour

P2341VF_

Woke up early to get to the port. Thank God for GPS it took us less than 15mins from City Heights to the fish port. Paid 10php per head for the entrance fee and 30php for the boot rental & trousers (shorts & sleeveless shirts are prohibited) at their office. The pungent smell of fish caught me off guard but it's understandable in that place. Experienced the trade tuna first-hand and witnessed how the small ships docked and crews took different kinds of fishes for weighing in, sorting out, disembowelment and ready for trading. The people working there we're approachable and entertaining. It was a really fun, worthwhile and educational experience that I can never forget. A must visit place!

rickyn614

well worth a visit, watch the crews unload the fish and sort, the size of the Tuna is something else, but you will need white wellingtons and long trousers, there was a small café on site the last time I visited, clean with basic food

jlukemorgan

First off, this place is EXACTLY what you expect. Helicopters with snipers, your girl gets abducted by a guy on a motorbike, the fish are full of cocaine, ivory and precious artifacts and there's a huge car chase and everyone has an Uzi and the buggies cause explosions when they hit the side of a car.Not really. That is only in movies. I guess. This is a neat place though. You need to have a taxi driver who will tell the guards you are there as a tourist and would like to visit. Once inside you need to go to the safety office to get your rubber boots. The cost is 30 pesos if they charge you. They ask for the money on the way out, so I think some folks get away with not paying as they just happen to leave without talking to the staff as they exit the safety office.

Momiji11

My fiance and I woke up very early to visit this place. From our hotel, we took a tricycle to the fish port. If you don't have a port ID or any permit, just tell them you're there for a visit and would like to see the fresh tuna. They will let you in and tell you to rent a pair of white boots (PHP 30.00 only).It was an AMAZING experience!!! I have never seen a tuna that is as big as me! Some weighed over 50 kilos. They were weighing them before it gets sold. Man, I've never seen so many tuna in my whole life.Please do eat balbacua at the coop carinderias accross wharf 1, they're to die for lol.

BusyBeeMeBusy

GENSAN experience is incomplete without visiting the Fish Port. Best to come early in the morning to witness the busy Tuna trade. You must rent white colored rain boots (P120) from the Port Office before you set foot on the Fish port. Taking pictures are okay but videos are prohibited. The "fishermen" are friendly and visitors are welcome. It's usual to see men transporting Tuna on their shoulders .Some Yellow Fin Tuna weigh as much as 40 Kilos! Some sorted out for export to Japan. Others, for selling to Market and private buyers. Hungry? there is a canteen at the parking area. Also, the Fish port is a no-smoking area. Pasalubong? Visit RDEX stores near the port. They offer reasonably priced frozen Tuna products that you can bring on the airplane. You can purchase Styropor boxes there (as low as P60) and then sealed.

shugahpaulineg

I havent seen as many fish in my entire life and they are huge! To every fish lover out there. Its amazing here you should drop by and visit.

bacolodtours

We woke up early to make it to the fish port. It was a sight to see all those tuna being weighed and bidded out. I left Gen San with almost 10 kilos of tuna belly and sashimi. Tip: wear closed shoes and no sleeveless shirt.