One thing Dubai has become famous for is its incredible waterparks – not surprising since it is one of the most populous countries! Here we will introduce one of Dubai’s “Big” water parks as well as our personal favourites within the Emirates and some spots ideal for families with young children.
Aquafun Water Park
Dive into adventure and fun at Aquafun Water Park in UAE. Get ready for thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools that will make your heart race with excitement. Enjoy a day of splashes and laughter with family and friends. Don’t forget to capture unforgettable moments of joy!
Aquaventure Atlantis the Palm
Aquaventure is one of the United Arab Emirates’ premier water parks and one of the best worldwide for water slides. Part of Atlantis the Palm complex spanning 42 acres, Aquaventure boasts some of the highest visitor traffic of any U.A.E. park.
Aquaventure caters to adrenaline junkies as well as families with younger children, featuring its dedicated Splashers kids’ zone designed specifically for children under 1.2m with replicas of some of its most popular slides designed specifically to engage them.
Aquaventure boasts an enviable location on the exterior frost that covers The Palm Jumeirah. This park is best-known for its thrilling rides, such as its signature ride: Leap of Faith: an exciting vertical drop that leads into its central lagoon which houses stingrays and sharks.
Groups will enjoy Aquaconda, the world’s longest tube waterslide and Zoomerango; both rides made their debuts at this park’s expansion which also included Trident Tower in March 2021 and boast record-breaking rides.
It can be challenging deciding which rides to leave out of your itinerary! With more than 70 water slides and rides available to choose from, Aquaventure provides ample choice. However, be wary of how crowded it can be; tackle any highly popular rides as soon as you arrive as their lines may form quickly; otherwise the heat could quickly make the experience unpleasant!
Purchase of an AquaXpress speed track will increase costs significantly (currently AED 235 AED per individual).
How much does Aquaventure cost?
Day passes for basic use start at 299 AED per adult and 249 AED for children below 1.2m; children aged 2 years or under receive their pass free of charge.
Rates advertised as seasonal may increase during high school holidays. Need towels? Add an additional 35 AED per towel and 55 AED for a small locker. Atlantis at the Palm guests will have access to its park included in their stay.
Another option is combining tickets for Dolphin Cove with those for its Lost Chambers or animal experiences (did you know you can enter for free on your birthday? Learn more here) for maximum value.
Visitors to Dubai may purchase Aquaventure through either Dubai Pass Theme Parks Pass only or Go City Dubai’s All-Inclusive and Explorer Passes.
Resident discounts (with an valid Emirates Identification card) can provide considerable value, saving an impressive 100 AED off the cost of entry.
Hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 at (earlier during winter months).
Wild Wadi Waterpark
Wild Wadi Waterpark Set on the property of Jumeirah Beach Hotel with Burj Al Arab as its backdrop, Wild Wadi features water attractions inspired by Arabia.
At this family park, the highlight is Jumeirah Sceirah: its 120m long tandem slide is capable of speeds of 80km/hr! Additionally, Breakers Bay’s largest waves pool boasts 80km/hr waves and also features an area dedicated to smaller children and toddlers – perfect for mixed groups catering to both younger children and teenagers who want a fun time! Our top recommendation for mixed groups catering to both smaller children and adolescents (or those young enough to pretend)!
Wild Wadi closed to visitors for an extensive closure this year, though only Jumeirah customers staying in hotels were permitted to access it again. We await news regarding its public reopening date.
What are the costs associated with Wild Wadi?
Jumeriah Hotels offer their guests complimentary admission to Wild Wadi for stays at any of the nearby properties such as Jumeriah Beach Hotel and nearby properties including Jumeirah al Naseem, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam and Jumeirah Al Qasr.
Adult tickets on standard websites start from 269 AED; kids tickets cost 99 AED. You may pay more at the entrance – if booking directly or through a reputable reseller of tickets online this will be your standard rate).
Pricing depends on whether or not your child stands over or under 1.1m in height; not age (as certain rides may restrict children under this height limit). Children aged three or under always remain free.
UAE residents with valid Emirates Identification cards can get additional discounts, reducing costs to as little as 169 AED/129 AED – this deal applies only on weekdays; weekend purchases incur higher charges when paying on the counter.
Keep an eye out for their birthday free entry offer (you must include two paying residents in your group), and Visa cardholder Mondays with great prices (up until 30 December 2022).
Rent towels at Souk Al Wadi for 39 AED per towel rental; locker rentals cost the same price.
Wild Wadi can be found on both the Dubai Pass through iVenture Pool A, as well as within the Dubai Theme Parks pass.
Daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Laguna Water Park
Laguna Water Park can be found in La Mer, an upmarket beachside neighborhood of Dubai. Although not as large as other Dubai Water Parks, Laguna still provides great value and entertainment.
Splash, Slide, Surf and Relax provide plenty of water-based fun for all ages. Enjoy meandering down the lazy river or lounging around cabanas – this park focuses more on beachfront vibes than high-flying rides; making it worth considering as an alternative to larger parks.
What Does Laguna Cost?
Day Passes can be purchased online for adults at 199 AED per day pass while children up to 1.2 meters tall cost 150 AED each (prices may differ at the gate).
An Ultra All-Inclusive Day Pass from VIP Ultra includes food and unlimited beverages as well as fast access to the pass and towel and locker rental beginning at just 310AED; Cabana rentals for groups of four can start from 1399 AED.
Keep an eye out for the sundowner promotion – at 120 AED it provides great value between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm from the next day. Enjoy it between 3:00 and 6:00 pm between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm!
Laguna can be found on the Dubai Select Attraction Pass (Pool B), Flex, Unlimited and Dubai Theme Park Passes; however it does not appear on any Go City Passes.
Visit Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Legoland Dubai Water Park
Legoland Dubai Water Park aims to appeal to younger people, offering plenty of exciting rides at an accessible price point.
Children looking to build confidence through water-based fun will love the Joker Soaker (beware the freezing cold water!). From there they can go on to build their Raft Lazy River before progressing on to wave pool (attempts to keep waves within acceptable parameters) before finally moving onto slides!
What Are the Prices of Legoland Dubai Water Parks?
Advance ticket purchases online will cost 295 AED (this applies to everyone aged three or above, without separate tickets being sold for children), while at the gate you’ll be charged an additional 330 AED fee.
Combining Legoland Dubai Water Park tickets with either Legoland Dubai (closeby), Motiongate and Bollywood theme parks – or both – can offer great value. On average, two park passes usually cost 355 AED but discounts are possible!
Stay-and-Play Package at Lapita Resort or Legoland Hotel Dubai Legoland Water Park can be found on both the Dubai Theme Parks Pass by Dubai Pass – iVenture and Explorer packages of City Dubai Passes, respectively.
Open Daily from 10:00 am to 6 pm (off-peak operating times may differ and even close during midweek.)
Best Water Parks Outside of Dubai
There are two great water parks outside Dubai’s Emirate that make an excellent contenders for Dubai’s best water park: Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi and Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm al Quwain are easily accessible on a day trip from here.
(We had one option available to us called Iceland in Ras al Khaimah which closed unexpectedly last year but we are confident something even greater and better will replace it at some point – watch this space!)
Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi
At Yas Waterworld, we may be biased, but we believe Yas Waterworld surpasses even those found in Dubai! That is quite an ambitious statement!
Emirati themed water park boasting multiple travel awards throughout the Middle East region and worldwide offers 45 rides and attractions that cater to people of all ages – making this Emirati themed water park one of the world’s top waterparks.
From adrenaline-pumping rides to the iconic Al Raha lazy river, wave pool, and Bandit Bomber suspended roller coaster; here you can find many exciting rides as well as live shows and entertainment throughout the park all day long.
Young children are also catered for at Yas Waterworld through three specially-designed splash areas for them, from tiny toddler pools and slides for toddlers, as well as the popular tipping bucket. Plus, Yas Waterworld provides an unforgettable pearl diving experience and mermaid school.
Children aged three or under are free, offering them great value as there are various slides and areas they can explore independently.
Yas Waterworld and other Yas Island theme parks from Dubai provide free transportation! Yes, that is correct – learn more here on how to reach Yas Island within an hour’s journey time based on where your journey starts in Dubai.
Yas Island hotels also offer wonderful overnight packages that combine park tickets and hotel stays into one package, or Combo ticket packages that combine nearby attractions like Warner Bros World and Ferrari World into one ticket package.
Daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
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Dreamland Aqua Park
Umm al Quwain offers travelers looking for something different than Dubai an exceptional alternative, and Dreamland Aqua Park stands out as no exception! A classic waterpark that was popular during its prime in the 80s but has since fallen on hard times; but you are in for an enjoyable time here! This was our top value option when traveling on a tight budget to Dubai.
Water Park of Dubai is one of the biggest and most relaxing water parks, featuring no long waits or giant lines. There is even a beer garden complete with swim-up bar, lawned areas to relax on, camping available overnight stays onsite – something unique in UAE.
Dreamland can be found one hour northeast of Dubai in Umm Al Quwain (UAQ). Be warned: during wintertime it can get very chilly! We don’t know how they manage to heat their water but this attraction is ideal for summer and autumn days alike!
Open Daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (and later on Saturdays)
Smaller Water Park and Splash Park alternatives in Dubai
Perfect for younger children looking for an opportunity to cool off, we also provide recommendations of some of the city’s finest splash pads as family fun spots.
Splash ‘n’ Party Dubai offers three amazing water playground locations to experience this incredible water experience: Al Safa 2 (a small hidden gem!), Kite Beach and JBR with inflatable waterparks as well as Kite Beach itself! To find out more visit splashnparty.ae
Splash Pad, The Beach JBR is an idyllic spot for small ones in JBR; complete with lifeguard service and temperature-controlled water for year-round enjoyment, it provides an amazing playground with water play elements!