Although there may be many fantastic aquatic attractions based on the feature-packed cruise vessels of the biggest cruise lines, the splashtastic fun does not need to begin and end on your ship, as there’s a fabulous range of thrilling water parks based in cruise ports across the globe. We’ve taken a look at the top 5 water parks to visit on a cruise, so travellers know where to go for the best wave pools and waterslides in the world.
Siam Park – Tenerife, Canary Islands
The huge and exciting Siam Park in Tenerife is one of Europe’s most spectacular water parks and has earned a place on our top 5 water parks list. The park, which was opened quite recently in 2008, covers an area of over 45 acres and features an exotic Thai theme. Interestingly Siam Park is home to the largest collection of Thai buildings outside of Thailand itself.
Naturally, this amazing water park contains an incredible assortment of water slides and aquatic attractions, including the six lane racing slide named Naga Racer, the dragon-themed four-person Vulcano Slide complete with lasers and flashing images, the Mekong Rapids river rafting ride and a vertical, transparent slide named the Tower of Power, which sends riders through an tank filled with stingrays and sharks. Siam Park also boasts the world’s largest man-made wave pool.
Aquaventure Waterpark – Dubai, UAE
The magnificent Aquaventure Waterpark is based in Dubai’s opulent Atlantis Palm Resort. The water park is celebrated as the best in the Middle East and therefore deserves a place on our top 5 water parks compilation. Visitors will find a profusion of diverse and exhilarating water slides and other great attractions for all of the family over 42 sun-drenched acres.
One of Aquaventure most popular and daunting water slides is the Tower of Neptune, a 9 nine-story near-vertical drop into a shark-filled lagoon. Don’t worry though; you will thankfully be protected from the sharks by a clear acrylic tube! Other excellent rides in the park include the world’s widest water slide the Aquaconda, the weightlessness-inducing Zoomerango and the Atlantean Flyers, the longest zip-line circuit in the Middle East.
Happy Magic Watercube Waterpark – Beijing, China
In 2010, Beijing’s Olympic National Aquatics Centre reopened its door with a brand-new look and a brand-new vibe. The sports venue had been transformed into a colourful and fun-filled indoor water park. The psychedelic interior, complete with huge hanging jellyfish, and overly gleeful named may seem like it was imagined by hippies, but the park does have a marvellous selection of rides and indoor attractions.
The old Olympic pool has been replaced with an astounding water adventure park boasting a number of terrific rides. Guests can float and relax in the park’s wave pool and lazy river, or take on one of 13 different water slides, each with a name more dynamic than the last, such as the Tornado, Bullet Bowl and Speed Slide. The Happy Magic Watercube even has its own happy spa and is included on this top 5 water parks list for its impressive innovation and miraculous transformation.
Beach Park – Fortaleza, Brazil
The tremendous Beach Park in Fortaleza, Brazil is South America’s largest water park, stretching over an area of around 35,000 square metres. The aquatic park is actually part of a larger resort which includes a beach and several luxury hotels. The park has won multiple awards for its fantastic rides and slides and provides a fun-filled day out for people of all ages.
Beach Park’s most famous and iconic attraction is the Insano water slide, one of the tallest water slides in the world, standing at 135 feet tall. The park’s newest ride is the Skybox, from which riders drop at the push of a button at heights of around 25 metres. Beach Park also contains a variety of aquatic attractions aimed at younger and less daring visitors, including the Acqua Circus – a watery play area with an array of cannons, fountains, slides, jets and peddle-boats.
Etnaland – Sicily, Italy
Etnaland in Sicily is a massive and exciting theme park with an amazing adjoining water park, situated away from the regular rides and rollercoasters. Etnaland’s water park was opened in 2001 and has over 25 different watery attractions, from intense waterslides to safe play areas for children. The park also contains around 8,500 square metres of swimming pools and a large, impressive wave pool.
Much like the rest of the attractions on our top 5 water parks list, Etnaland has a wonderful array of rides and pools for all of the family. Water slides including the Kamikaze, Twin Twister, Big Foam and Black Hole, while more relaxing pools include the Slow River, Hydro Pool and Blue Lagoon. Several attractions within Etnaland are also perfect for young children, such as the Mini Foam and Children’s Laguna
If you’d like more information about excursions to any of these water parks, or would like help booking your next cruise, our cruise concierge team will be happy to help. Just give us a call on 0207 980 2847.
