Water parks in Dubai, which one to choose?

Want to go to one of the water parks in Dubai? This is a great idea for your stay in this emirate!

If there's one thing I really enjoy doing in Dubai, it's going to a water park to get some fresh air and have fun in the water. And in the city of excess, there are plenty of choices when it comes to the best water parks in the Middle East!

In this article, I give you my opinion on the different water parks you can find in Dubai.

There are other water parks of course, but they are not as important (especially if it is your first time in Dubai)!

However, so that you can choose the water park that will be the most suitable for your vacation in Dubai, I also present here the lesser known water parks so as to really inform you of all the possibilities available to you.

And I have to say that I like to try new activities during each trip: it's a pleasure to discover different parks.

THE ATLANTIS AQUAVENTURE, BEST WATER PARK IN DUBAI?

The Atlantis Aquaventure is the water park of the Atlantis The Palm Hotel, one of Dubai's landmarks.
It is the largest and most impressive water park in Dubai (and in the Middle East!).

Located on more than 17 hectares, there are more than 30 attractions and water slides in breathtaking scenery (Mayan temples, a pyramid, a rainforest ...). There is something for everyone, and if you are a fan of big adrenaline rushes, you will love this park!

The park is indeed very famous for its thrill rides:

• the “Poseidon's Revenge" slide, located at the top of the Poseidon tower, allows you to enter a capsule to make a rapid fall at nearly 60km/h;
• the "Leap of Faith" slide is 9 stories high and will make you slide almost vertically before finishing your descent in the transparent pool filled with sharks and rays of the Lost Chambers aquarium;

I will always remember the first time I did it, I thought I was falling in the void because it is so vertical!

• the "Aquaconda" slide in which you will slide - for a long time - in the dark...

The park also has a state-of-the-art wave pool, "Surf'd Up," where you can try your hand at surfing; a slide where you can slide down a rubber ring that holds 8 people; or a zipline, "Atlantean Flyers." From this zipline, you will have a plunging view of the aquapark coupled with a sublime panorama of the resort.

Beware, if you're planning to go to the Atlantis Aquaventure with young children, most of these attractions are off limits to the little ones (under 4 feet tall - 1m20)!

However, there are plenty of activities for them to participate in, as well as other games and pools in the park. And let’s not forget the lazy river, which remains one of the main attractions of the park! This river will allow you to go around the complex on a rubber ring (for about thirty minutes). The program includes streams, rapids and 1 mile of swimming (1.6 km) for the whole family.

The Atlantis Aquaventure also has attractions and activities for the little ones: wading pools, mini-toboggans, a climbing structure.... And if you're afraid of heights, you can simply take advantage of the park's many relaxation areas and its 2,796-miles-long (700 meters) private beach, the "Aquaventure Beach”.

It's really a great place to go to if you have kids! For me, this is the perfect water park to discover with your family.

HOW TO GET THERE?

The Atlantis Aquaventure is part of the Atlantis The Palm Hotel, located on The Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island in Dubai.

Address: Atlantis The Palm - Crescent Road - Dubai.

To get there from downtown Dubai:

• By car/cab: follow Sheikh Zayed Road (the emirate's main avenue) for about 12 miles (20 kilometers).
• By subway: take the red line of the Dubai Metro and get off at the Dubai Marina or Jumeirah Lakes Towers stations to take the Dubai streetcar. Stop at the Palm Jumeirah station and board the Dubai Monorail, which connects the mainland to the Atlantis Hotel. From there, just get off at the Atlantis Aquaventure station.

OPENING HOURS

The Aquaventure Atlantis opens every day at 10 am, but closing hours vary depending on sunset: around 5:30-6 pm in winter, and 7 pm in summer.

TICKET PRICES

The park being so popular, there are always a lot of people at the entrance (it's the best water park in the Middle East, so it's bound to attract crowds!). As such, I recommend booking your tickets online before you leave, to make sure you’ll be able to go during your stay in Dubai.

Note that you can choose between two types of tickets:

• The Aquaventure Day Pass, which gives access to the park only;
• The Aquaventure Super Pass, which also allows entrance to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Dubai.  This Atlantis-themed aquarium has many underwater chambers and tunnels. You will be able to observe nearly 65,000 marine animals (sharks, rays, fish), but also feed some of them. If you don't know what to do in Dubai, this is one of the must-do activities of a first stay.

Here is an example of the entrance fees for the Aquaventure Atlantis (simulation made on August 23, 2021):

Good to know: If you stay at the 5-star Atlantis The Palm hotel, you will have unlimited free access to the park. However, the price of a night in this hotel is not cheap... It costs a minimum of $1,360 (€1,200) to stay in a room for 4 nights (two adults)!

THE WILD WADI WATERPARK, THE MOST SERIOUS COMPETITOR

The Wild Wadi Waterpark is the first water park to be built in Dubai and the second largest one. It is owned by Jumeirah International, a luxury hotel company based in Dubai.

This park too is a great choice if you are looking for a good waterpark in Dubai!

With its Juha-themed decor (a character from Arabian folklore), this park is on paper less interesting than the Atlantis Aquaventure,and therefore less crowded! But its attractions are just as amazing and there is something for all ages.

Be aware that some of the 30 rides are not allowed for young children (under 3ft 6”, or 1m10).   

Among the most popular are :

• the giant slide "Jumeirah Sceirah", which is the most impressive attraction of any water park in Dubai (even more so than "Poseidon's Revenge" at Aquaventure Atlantis!). You'll enter a capsule and slide down the 390-feet-long slide (120 meters) at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h);

• “Master Blasters", the aquatic roller coaster;

• the “Rafting Tantrum Alley”, where you can ride the rapids in a 4-person rubber ring…

You can also experience surfing at the “Wipeout and Riptide”, swim in the largest wave pool in the Middle East, the “Breaker's Bay”, or gain some altitude with the zipline.

Of course, there are activities for the little ones such as small lagoons or small rivers to discover in rubber rings (under the supervision of parents), for example the "Juha's Journey" which is 1,180 feet long (360 meters).

This park also offers many restaurants, cafes and stores.

Good to know: Wild Wadi Waterpark  is not very big, so it is perfectly suitable for children. They won't get too tired walking! For me, it's a good compromise, this waterpark being rather family oriented.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Wild Wadi Waterpark is located opposite the Burj Al Arab and next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah, a tourist complex with souks, stores and restaurants.

Address : Opp. Burj Al Arab - Jumeirah Street - Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai

The park is easily accessible. To get there from the center of Dubai:

• by car/cab: follow Sheikh Zayed Road then turn to Al Wasl or Al Thanya.
• by subway: take the red line and get off at the “Burj Al Arab Hotel - 01” station. This is the closest station to the park (about 0.2 miles, or 400 meters). It will take you about 6 minutes to walk there.

OPENING HOURS

The Wild Wadi Waterpark opens at 10 am from Tuesday to Sunday, but closing times are adjusted according to the season: 6 pm in winter and 7 pm in summer.

TICKET PRICES

Either way, skip the hassle of waiting in line at the park entrance and book your seats online before you go. The tickets sold online are "no-line" tickets, and they are no more expensive than regular tickets 🙂 

Here is an example of the entrance fees for the Wild Wadi Waterpark (simulation made on August 24, 2021):

Good to know: When staying at a Jumeirah hotel, access to this park is free and unlimited. If the room rates are rather high in the most luxurious hotels of the chain, you can perhaps gift yourself a stay in one of the more accessible establishments of the chain, such as the "Jumeirah Beach Hotel", located near the water park.

The "Ocean Deluxe" room (with sea view) for two adults in September 2021 was available there from $191/night, breakfast included. Including charges, you could get a 4-night stay from $936. It is therefore clearly a possibility to consider!

Hotels of the Jumeirah chain: Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray - Palm Jumeirah....

THE LEGOLAND WATERPARK, THE NUMBER ONE ALTERNATIVE

Located south of Dubai, the Legoland Waterpark  is part of the “Dubai Parks and Resorts” complex, which includes "Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park, Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks, Riverland Dubai” and the Lapita Hotel.

This park has fewer attractions than the two previous ones (about 20) and is smaller.

Yet I also recommend it, especially if you are a LEGO fan 😊

There are many water games including about twenty water slides such as the "Safari Duplo Splash", the "Splash Out", the "Twin Chasers" (to race a friend) or the "Wave Rider". There are also pools, including the “LEGO® Wave Pool”, a lazy river upon which you float on a soft LEGO; as well as play areas designed specifically for toddlers.

The park also features interactive activities designed to get kids' brains working. For example, they can build their own raft out of LEGO bricks with the “Build-A-Raft River” attraction before taking it out on the park's lazy river; or build a boat and test its resistance to currents with the “Build-a-boat” activity.

Advantage: This park is adapted to children who are less than 3ft 2” (1 m tall) 😊 

Please note that the two Lego parks (Legoland Waterpark and its dry counterpart, Legoland Dubai) are specially designed for children from 2 to 12 years old, but they will especially appeal to 7-8 year olds.

HOW TO GET THERE?

The Legoland Waterparkis located in Jebel Ali.

Address: Legoland Waterpark, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road - Jebel Ali - Dubai.

The best way to get there is by cab. Alternatively, take the red line of the subway and get off at the "Ibn Battuta" station. From there, take a cab or the RTA shuttle bus to the Legoland complex.

There are also shuttles from the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates, as well as from Madinat Jumeirah or Jumeirah Beach Residence (The Beach JBR).

OPENING HOURS

The Legoland Waterpark opens every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

TICKET PRICES

The entrance fee for the Legoland Water Park is about $74 (or €65). If you book online, you may get regular discounts on the initial price all while being sure to have room on the day of your choice.

You might as well take advantage of it 🙂 

Good to know: Ideally, you should buy a ticket for this park as well as the neighboring Lego park: Legoland Waterpark + Legoland. You'll only pay about $5-$12 extra for the second ticket! If you can, go for the "1 day/2 sites" pass, but you can choose to do both parks in one day.

This is the perfect park to combine a water park in Dubai with a LEGO park (even adults will get a kick out of some of the intricate constructions!)

ANOTHER WATER PARK TO SUGGEST IN DUBAI? THE LAGUNA WATERPARK

The Laguna Waterpark is the newest addition to Dubai's water parks. I was able to discover it during my trip to Dubai in 2019.

On the program, slides like "The Loop" or the "Constrictor", amazing tunnels, and most importantly the thrill ride "Freefall": a fall at a crazy speed in a glass capsule. There is of course also a lazy river as well as pools, including the "Infinity Pool" with its juice bar, and a wave pool on which you can surf: the "WaveOz 180 FlowRider". 

Be careful, here too a minimum height is required for some of the attractions: 4ft (1m20).

The best asset of this water park is its really nice view on the skyline of Dubai. 

The advantage of this park is that it was built very recently and offers 5 thrilling slides!

HOW TO GET THERE?

The park is located in the heart of Dubai's hottest beach destination: La Mer.

Address: Laguna Waterpark - La Mer - Jumeirah 1 - Dubai.

There is no subway station near the park, so the best way to get there is by cab or bus (lines 8, 9, 88). Note that some hotels offer shuttle buses to the park. Do not hesitate to ask for information at the reception of your hotel!  

OPENING HOURS

The Laguna Waterpark opens every day from 10 am to 10 pm.

TICKET PRICES

If you book online, you will get a fast track ticket to the Laguna Waterpark. The entrance fee is approximately $40 for a full day at the park. Access to the park is free for children under two years old.

OTHER WATER PARKS IN DUBAI: PERFECT FOR TRIPS WITH LITTLE ONES

• LE SPLASH PAD

This park, located near the marina, is the perfect environment for a family day out, especially if you're staying in Dubai with very young children (between 1 and 12 years old). They will be supervised at all times by trained staff while you enjoy the sun and restaurants.

In a beach-like setting, they can enjoy the many playgrounds, wading pools and swimming pools.

Please note: some days are reserved for women only!

HOW TO GET THERE?

The Splash Pad park is located on the beachfront of Dubai.

Address: Splash Pad - Beach Front, North side of THE BEACH, Near Roxy Cinema - Dubai.

To get there, you can take:

• Bus: Line 8,
• Subway: get off at "JLT" station and cross the bridge to the marina,
• Streetcar: stop at "Jumeirah Beach Residence 2".

OPENING HOURS

The park opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

TICKET PRICES

Admission for adults is free when accompanied by their children aged 1 to 12 years (within the limit of 1 adult for 2 children).

• SPLASH’N’PARTY

DESCRIPTION OF THE PARK

Splash 'n'Party is the newest water park in the emirate. Like Splash Pad, this small park is designed for younger children. Although it has an adult-sized pool, a restaurant and a juice bar, it offers mainly attractions for the little ones (slides, water games) and animated shows with mascots, a mermaid....

Mainly, this park specializes in themed birthday parties.

HOW TO GET THERE?

There actually two Splash 'n'Party parks.

OPENING HOURS

• Al Safa 2: from 9 am to 8 pm on weekdays and until 9 pm on weekends and during vacations. On Sundays and Wednesdays, the park is reserved for women from 4 pm to 9 pm.
• Kite Beach/Jumeirah Beach: from 3 pm to 10 pm.

TICKET PRICES

Like the previous park, the purchase of a child ticket (up to 4ft 9” – 1m50) allows an accompanying adult to enter for free.

A few tips:

Opt for online booking: it will cost you less than buying on site. It will also allow you to avoid waiting in line. Moreover, you will pay in dollars, and will therefore avoid bank charges related to payment in AED on site.

Please note that in most of the packages presented, the changing rooms are not free.

And you can't take food with you!

If you can, go during the week: it's much more crowded on weekends!

Take flip-flops, a cap or a hat and don't forget your sunscreen, because the Dubai sun is burning hot…

IN THE END, WHICH WATER PARK TO CHOOSE IN DUBAI?

For a first visit to Dubai, opt for either the Aquaventure Waterpark or Wild Wadi Waterpark: they offer crazy attractions in impressive settings. The entrance fees are expensive, but if you spend your whole day there, you will have spent your money well!

If the first three parks on this list are definitely places you must visit at least once in your life, the other parks in the emirate are not really worth the trip... They are mostly playgrounds for young children while parents bask in the sun!