Dubai Waterparks - The Perfect Holiday Spot For Your Family This Summer
Summer has arrived in Dubai, lockdown is easing, and school is almost out. This can only mean one thing - it's time for some fun in the sun and making a splash at some of Dubai's best water parks.
Shopping and fine dining aside, one more thing that the City of Gold is famous for is its water theme parks - they're among the best in the world! But given that Dubai is one of the hottest places in the world, this doesn't come as much of a surprise.
Water parks are for the young and young at heart - they make for a great family day out. Let's face it; there's nothing that brings out your inner child like the idea of racing down water slides and frolicking about in the wave pool. And with so many water parks in Dubai to choose from, the challenging thing is to find the ones where you'll have the best time.
Dubai's water parks have them all, from hair-raising flume rides to exhilarating water slides to fun splash pools. To save you time, we've curated our favourite wet and wild places to head to this summer - here are the best waterparks in Dubai.
The Best Waterparks In Dubai
1. Wild Wadi Water Park
Wild Wadi Water Park is also worth noting when talking about the best waterparks in Dubai.
Dubbed one of the best waterparks globally (a massive feat by any stretch of the imagination), Wild Wadi, located next to the Burj Al Arab in Jumeirah, makes for an exciting water experience.
Wild Wadi is a beautifully themed Dubai water park. Based on the story of a famous Arabian folklore character with many fun-filled water attractions and activities for the entire family, including eight Master Blasters, there's always something going on. (Fun fact: No other water park in the UAE or the rest of the world has many Master Blasters as Wild Wadi Water Park.)
If you're after a little more relaxation or a gentle water attraction, Wild Wadi's Wave Pool is a must. The Lazy River is also a great way to chill out.
Kids and big kids alike love exploring Juha's Dhow and Lagoon - a huge water playground with several waterslides. For those who love a little more excitement and tempo, there are also a few speed slides to test out, including the Jumeirah Sceirah and the Flood River Flyer, which will surely leave you white-knuckled. Want to try your hand at surfing or bodyboarding? Check out the unique surfing simulator that promises a real-life and safe surfing experience.
Wild Wadi Water Park has something for everyone. From a host of first-class family-friendly restaurants and cafes to many retail outlets to over 30 different water rides, this number one water park in Dubai prides itself in offering facilities and attractions to guests of all ages, even babies and toddlers.
On a side note, as we pride ourselves on our commitment to the environment, we love that Wild Wadi Water Park has the same values. The park's environmental pledge to recycle paper, cartridges, plastic, cardboard, and oil and its organized environmental cleanups make this one of the best waterparks in Dubai.
2. Aquaventure Waterpark
With many great waterparks in Dubai, it's hard to name one that deserves first place. But Aquaventure Waterpark, next to Atlantis, The Palm, is not only the biggest waterpark in Dubai, but it's also claimed to be the best water park in the UAE.
Aquaventure Waterpark is a must-visit for summer family fun in Dubai. Home to a record-breaking amount of adrenalin-pumping rides - 79 to be exact - and 26 water experiences, awesome waterslides, private beaches, and a safe and stimulating play area for kids - there's little that this Dubai water park doesn't have!
Adrenaline junkies love this famous Dubai water park with good reason. Take the Leap of Faith water ride as a case in point. With a heart-stopping 27.5m drop that hurtles you through a clear tube while surrounded by menacing sharks and rays - this isn't for the fainthearted.
Other thrilling activities unique to Aquaventure Waterpark include zip-lines right across the entire park. There are even opportunities to swim with sharks, and the kids love hand-feeding and getting up close and personal with the cow-nose stingrays.
Aquaventure theme park imposes several height restrictions, with many rides requiring children to be taller than 1.2m. But there are also plenty of fun kid-friendly activities that will keep the little 'uns occupied. Splashers Children's Play Area is a delight with its labyrinth of exploratory tubes, tunnels, climbing equipment, and slides.
Another unique feature of Dubai's Aquaventure Water Park is its Aquaventure Academy. It offers a range of captivating children's interactive educational programs that kids can take part in to learn about marine life and ocean conservation.
3. Splash n Party
Known for its fun celebrations and bespoke children's parties, another one of the best water parks in Dubai is Splash n Party - the name says it all!
Transformed from a Jumeirah villa, this smaller-scale water park in Dubai is home to water slides, tunnels, splash pools, and a zip-line.
While this may sound like any other water theme park in Dubai, it's not. Known for hosting the most amazing parties and celebrations, including live entertainment and regular shows, this water play area is more intimate, making it much easier to keep an eye on your children.
Whether you want to host a birthday party or have some fun in the sun and water away from the mainstream aqua parks in Dubai, this is one of the Emirate's hidden gems when it comes to kiddy entertainment.
Get Your Kids Water Park Ready
Believe it or not, there's a little bit of science between choosing the right swimwear for your kids, and in Dubai's heat, it's essential to consider these things.
Here are our top tips for buying children's swimwear.
The Right Fit
When it comes to buying your children's swimsuits, size matters. Measure your child to ensure a good fit instead of merely choosing a size dependent on their age.
When buying girls' swimsuits and bikinis, measure the area under the arms around the bust, waistline, hips, and height. With boys' swimming trunks, look for swimming shorts with elasticated waists for maximum all-day comfort. Additional drawstrings allow for more of a custom fit.
Fabric
Another feature to look out for when buying your children's swimsuits and swimming trunks is the fabric - it needs to be chlorine-resistant.
A nylon/spandex blend for girls' one-piece swimsuits and tankinis is preferable as the material is more durable and can withstand repeated washes. A polyester swimsuit lining offers comfort and allows for more freedom of movement.
Good swimsuit fabric for boys' swimming trunks also consists of a blend of nylon and spandex. 100% polyester also has its benefits - it's comfortable, quick-drying, and resistant to saltwater, chlorine, and UV rays.
Sun Protection
Above everything else, sun protection is the most important thing to consider, especially when spending all day at Dubai's waterparks where the temperatures will be high.
Some children's swimsuits have UPF 50 for protection, but this doesn't eliminate the need for sunblock. Look for sunscreens with a high SPF and apply to all areas of the body.
Cover-Ups
When visiting a place like Laguna Waterpark, don't forget a beach cover-up, especially if you're not sitting under the shade or in a cabana. There are plenty of children's cover-ups to choose from, and a popular and comfortable trend these days is the towel poncho - a towel and cover-up in one - it's genius!
Another childrens' cover-up option for Dubai water parks is a rashguard. Made from a blend of polyester and spandex, long-sleeved rashguard and short-sleeved rashguards are both comfortable and durable with moisture-wicking properties.
Children's Pool and Beach Accessories
Children's pool accessories are something you should look for when buying your kids' new swimsuits.
Pool shoes are ideal, especially when in the changing rooms or on the beach.
Famous for its vast deserts, the stunning Arabian Gulf, and luxury shopping, Dubai is also home to some of the best waterparks in the Middle East, which is a good thing considering the year-round high temperatures. If you're looking for family-friendly and fun activities, be sure to check out the best waterparks in Dubai - they won't disappoint!
