Most beaches and resorts offer the same set of water adventures and amenities. Sometimes, they can’t give a taste of a unique experience to adventure-seeking children and adults. This is where waterparks enter the picture.
Waterparks in Dubai rose into popularity when families and tourists started looking for unique water adventures that can beat the summer heat. These amusement parks can surely upgrade your stay in the city, but you’ll need this comprehensive guide to book a hassle-free waterpark adventure.
Things to Know Before You Book a Waterpark Adventure in Dubai
There’s no shortage of waterparks in Dubai. Each waterpark in the city offers unique facilities, amenities, and attractions, so you’ll find it challenging to find the best deals and offers. Read on below to find the things you need to know, prepare, and avoid.
What Are Waterparks?
A waterpark is a unique amusement park with various attractions and amenities for children and adults. Water parks first emerged and grew popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Today, waterparks remain one of the best leisure venues for families and big groups looking for a summer destination.
Dubai, as a popular tourist destination with warm to hot temperatures, houses some of the biggest waterparks in the world. It offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor waterpark venues scattered throughout the city.
Indoor Waterparks
These waterparks can be a standalone or a venue attached to a more extensive leisure establishment. Standalone indoor waterparks are usually encased in giant domes. They can offer an artificially-controlled water temperature and inclusive amenities like slides, tubes, and water plays with an indoor venue.
Outdoor Waterparks
These waterparks are relatively larger. With little to no restrictions, they can offer bigger water slides and other unique outdoor aquatic facilities, such as wave pools, lazy rivers, and stationary surf simulators.
Who Can Enter Waterparks in Dubai
Most waterparks in Dubai cater to families and visitors of all ages, but some waterpark adventures and attractions may have restrictions.
Body Composition Restrictions
Waterparks in Dubai don’t impose age, height, or weight restrictions since most aquatic areas in the park are safe. Some activities and amenities may impose restrictions, especially on children.
Health Restrictions
Visitors with any medical or health restrictions on their physical activity cannot use waterpark attractions, but they can enter the area with their families and friends. Pregnant women and guests with physical disabilities can also enter the park and try some attractions with extreme supervision.
Waterparks in Dubai, specifically, records very few injuries and accidents. They are required to hire and designate licensed lifeguards throughout their daily operations. These lifeguards are needed to deliver water rescues, first aid, and CPR if necessary. They can also supervise children and visitors who are non-swimmers and weak swimmers.
COVID-19 Considerations
All travel and tour companies in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Dune buggy operators in Dubai are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among guests, regularly sanitize pools and public areas, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments. They may also provide new working hours based on local curfews and protocols.
Guests, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Guests should wear face masks during the activity, avoid physical contact among staff and other guests, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
When Is the Best Time to Go to a Waterpark?
Since you have two waterpark options in Dubai—indoor and outdoor, you can go to a waterpark at any season all year round. Indoor waterparks are perfect for the winter months, from March to December. On the other hand, Outdoor waterparks are ideal destinations for the summer, between June to August.
Crowds at amusements and theme parks can be annoying, though. So, if you want to avoid crowds, move away from weekends, holidays, and other peak seasons. It may be challenging to move around in crowded swimming pools and aquatic attractions.
How Long Can You Stay in Waterparks
Most waterparks in Dubai offer entrance-only, all-day, and half-day tickets, so the duration of your stay depends on your preference. Four hours is plenty of time to try most rides and take a swim, but it depends on the park’s size and available activities and amenities. You can also opt for an overnight stay with families and friends if there’s a hotel inside the park.
Where Are the Best Waterparks in Dubai Located?
The city of Dubai may be full of deserts and skyscrapers, but it also houses the best man-made and artificial water adventures in the world. You can usually find the best waterparks in the city at Palm Jumeirah Island, Jumeirah Beach, and Marina Beach. These waterparks are mainly located on the coast of Dubai.
Preparation Tips And Booking Procedures
Now that you know everything there is to know about waterparks and their commercial market in Dubai, let’s head to the actual preparations and procedures involved in booking the activity.
How to Get to the Best Waterparks in Dubai
Getting around Dubai to look for the city’s best water adventures is just a walk in the park. If you want a hassle-free and systematic itinerary, you can look for travel and tour companies that offer whole-day water adventures with hotel pick-up and drop-off services, meals, and tour guides.
To get to the best places we’ve mentioned earlier, here’s a guide:
How to Get to Palm Jumeirah Island
Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in Dubai, one of the firsts of its kind. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach Palm Jumeirah Island approximately 1 hour from the city center through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Khail Rd/E44.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Palm Jumeirah and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 83, 84, and F55A. If you want to take the metro, your only option is to alight at the Dubai Internet City or Nakheel. After that, you’ll need to take a taxi. Taxi meters start at 5 AED (1.36 USD) from 6 to 10 PM and 5.50 AED (1.50 USD) from 10 PM to 6 AM.
How to Get to Jumeirah Beach
One of Dubai’s most precious white sand beaches, Jumeirah Beach is located on the Persian Gulf coast. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 15 minutes through Al Athar Street or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Jumeirah Beach and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 81, 88, and X28, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at stop 23 or stop 24.
How to Get to Marina Beach
Marina Beach is located in Dubai Marina, an artificial canal city that is still under expansion. The city currently houses over 50,000 residents, but once completed, it can accommodate 120,000 people.
Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 30 minutes through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Khail Rd/E44. If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Marina Beach and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8 and 84, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at the Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 2 – 01.
What Are the Things Guests Need to Prepare?
You need to be physically and mentally prepared before you book a ticket. Here are some of the most important things you shouldn’t forget to bring to a waterpark.
Food and Drinks
Some waterparks allow outside food and drink, while others don’t. Make sure to read the terms and conditions of the waterpark before you book your ticket. If you don’t plan to bring food and drinks, waterparks in Dubai houses many restaurants and food parks that offer dining options. Some waterpark tickets even come with unlimited food and beverages.
Clothing
You bring the same set of comfortable clothing you use at beaches and swimming pools to waterparks. These parks, minus the man-made water features, are the same as other bodies of water. Bring your bathing suits, rash guards, and cover-ups.
Accessories and Essentials
If you want to make the most out of your experience, bring some essentials and accessories. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen to protect your skin against the harmful rays of the sun. To upgrade your waterpark experience, bring goggles, waterproof cameras or pouches, and floaties.
Do Travelers Need to Book Beforehand?
There’s no need to book online or in advance as you can get the ticket right away from any waterpark desk in Dubai. This option is more convenient if you have conflicting schedules. However, if you want to skip the line, get your ticket right away, or score deals, it’s best to purchase tickets online or via phone call.
What are the Best Waterparks in Dubai
The competition is tight among waterparks in Dubai, so choosing the best waterpark is a challenge. Here are the big four waterparks in Dubai; look at the prices and inclusions they offer before you book a ticket.
LEGOLAND Waterpark
LEGOLAND is a trusted chain of family theme parks, so it’s no surprise that one of the safest and biggest waterparks in Dubai is LEGOLAND Waterpark. This venue is the only waterpark in the city designed for kids aged 2 to 12.
The waterpark sits at Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE. It’s open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Visitors can rent Cabanas or book rooms at LEGOLAND hotel to upgrade their in-stay experience.
Ticket prices: 220 AED (59.90 USD) per person for online booking, 275 AED (74.87 USD) for on-site booking.
Water adventures: Wave Rider (open body slide), Build-A-Raft River (lazy river with lego floaties, Duplo Splash Safari (water play area for toddlers), Joker Soaker (interactive water playground).
Wild Wadi Waterpark
One of the most popular outdoor waterparks in Dubai, Wild Wadi Waterpark attracts visitors worldwide all year round. The park is open to families, safe and fun for all ages. It offers facilities for babies and toddlers and visitors with disabilities.
Wild Wadi Waterpark is located at Opp. Burj Al Arab – Jumeirah St – Umm SuqeimUmm Suqeim 3. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday (temporary schedule) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Guests staying at selected hotels in Dubai, including Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab, can get free admission.
Ticket prices: 199 AED (54.18 USD) per adult on weekends and 179 AED (48.73 USD) on weekdays; 179 AED (48.73 USD) per child on weekends and 159 AED (43.29 USD) on weekdays.
Water adventures: Jumeirah Sceirah (slide ride), Juha’s Journey (lazy river), Juha’s Dhow and Lagoon (water maze), Wipeout and Riptide (FlowRiders for surfing), Master Blasters (water roller coaster).
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
One of the biggest waterparks in the world, Atlantis Aquaventure offers record-breaking water adventures and facilities. It has over 30 slides and attractions—all housed in a 141-acre park. The park is open to families and visitors of all ages and even offers facilities for people with disabilities.
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark is located at Atlantis The Palm – Crescent Rd. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors can book rooms and suites in the resort to upgrade their in-stay experience.
Ticket prices: 319 AED (86.85 USD) per adult on weekends and 299 AED (81.40 USD) on weekdays; 269 AED (73.23 USD) per child on weekends and 249 AED (67.79 USD) on weekdays. Super day passes range from 279 AED to 329 AED.
Water adventures: Odyssey of Terror (world’s tallest water slide), Shockwave (longest family water coaster), Immortal Falls (cliff jumps), Splashers Cove & Lagoon (rally-racer, tornado slide for kids).
Laguna Waterpark
Laguna Waterpark has one of the best prices and locations in Dubai. Its vast waterslide complex and beachfront location are easily accessible for families and friends in big groups.
The park is located at the edge of Jumeirah Beach, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors can rent Cabanas or book rooms at hotels near Jumeirah Beach to upgrade their in-stay experience.
Ticket prices: 99 AED (26.95 USD) per head for a full-day pass; 399 AED (108.63 USD) for a resident annual pass. Passes with other VIP adventures range from 295 AED to 1,000 AED.
Water adventures: infinity pool, lazy river, Constrictor (tall slide), Mad Racer (water race), The Loop (circular slide), Manta (family raft ride).
Final Waterpark Adventure Tips for First-Timers
To make the most out of your day at any of the waterparks in Dubai, make sure you’re physically and systematically prepared—at least before you enter. Get there early to set up your rest area and try the majority of the available water adventures. For your safety, check the comfort level of each attraction before you try it.
What to Do After a Waterpark Adventure in Dubai
If you have an itinerary and Dubai, know that waterparks can take a considerable chunk of your time. You need a whole day for this adventure, and that includes the preparation and the actual activity. That one full day, however, is undoubtedly worth it.
If you want to try more water adventures in Dubai, make space for parasailing, dolphin adventures, jet skiing, and flyboarding in your itinerary. There’s a wide range of beaches and resorts that can offer unique and thrilling water adventures in Dubai.
