Top 5 Waterparks
Well, here they are – the 5 most popular destinations for June. This month, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest and best waterparks in these places…
Aqualand, S’Arenal
Majorca’s biggest waterpark has some of the best slides in the business. You’ve got old favourites like the Black Hole and Kamikaze, as well as some quirkier varieties – one ride, for instance, lets visitors race each other backwards. Families will love the Rapids and the Grand Canyon – a fast-paced passage with Brady Bunch-sized rubber rings. And at Surf Beach, teens can catch a break in metre-high waves. There are cute themed areas for little ones, too. Want something more chilled out? Head for the Jacuzzi or the slow-go Congo River.
How much? Adult tickets are €24, and it’s €17 for children.
Must dos The Tornado. This ride shoots you into a giant bowl, before plonking you in the middle of a swimming pool. Imagine getting flushed down the toilet, and you’ll have a good idea of how it works.
Atlantic Waterpark, Marmaris
Marmaris’ Atlantic Waterpark is no one-trick pony. Not only does it offer up tubes, multi-rider slides and Kamikazes galore, it also has minigolf and bowling zones. There’s a wave pool, as well, and a section with baby-sized slides for teeny weeny visitors. Plus, because the park is right on top of Marmaris’ golden sandy beach, you can flit between the two as much as you like. Lunches come courtesy of the Aqua-Marmaris restaurant, which serves up traditional Turkish kebabs alongside slush puppies and frothy milkshakes. Treasure Island, meanwhile, opens at 5.30pm, and specialises in fresh fish and pasta dishes.
How much? Adult tickets (children over 12 count as adults) will set you back £11.85, while children’s cost £7.00. Book ahead, though, and you can get up to 30% off the gate price.
Must dos Super Slide. The longest slide in the park, this is a never-ending circuit of dizzying loops and tubes.
Cleopark, Naama Bay
This themed waterpark in Naama Bay has been designed with ancient Egypt and the pharaohs in mind – cue giant sandstone statues and replica Pyramids. Looks aside, it offers up some great attractions. Flit from the Nile Adventure River – which whisks you from the top of a hill down to lower (very bumpy) ground – to the Cleopatra Bath, a wave pool with no less than 7 different styles of breaker. Head for the Lost Pyramid, meanwhile, and you’ve got a 3-for-1 kind of deal, with a Black Hole, a Kamikaze, and a ‘body’ slide weaving through its depths. Solar Boat is good fun, too – on this one, two of you can navigate the twists and turns of a giant, empty boat.
How much? Tickets for adults cost 35 dollars (around £21/£22), and children’s tickets (4 to 12 years) are 20 dollars (around £13). 0 to 4-year-olds go free. You can book a Mega Day here on the First Choice website, too, which includes transfers, soft drinks all day, a light buffet and a souvenir photo.
Must dos Queen’s Trophy. Hop into a sledge, whiz down a slope, and you’ll be greeted by Cleopatra and her slaves…
Aqua-Centre, Ciudadella
If you’ve got little ones in tow, Menorca’s Aqua-Centre should be on your radar. This cute-as-a-button waterpark has got all sorts of treats for children, including miniature slides, a play area, and a cluster of splash pools. There are some bigger slides for adults at the far left-hand side of the park, but other than that it’s pretty sedate. You’ll find sunbeds on the grassy areas that border the pools, and a restaurant serving up traditional cuisine. Try the paella or calderata stew – visitors rave about them.
How much? Children under 3 go free here, and it’s €10 for children up to the age of 11. Anyone over that will cost €19, but this isn’t really the place for teens.
Must dos? The go-karting zone. It’s perfect if you’ve had enough of getting wet.
AquaPark, Costa Teguise
This is the only waterpark on the island, so it makes sense for it to be close-to-bursting with attractions. You’ll find a Kamikaze, 6 soft slides, 8 racing racks, fast rapids, chill-out pools and a baby pool here. Then there are the dedicated children’s slides, the trampolines, the bouncy castles, the jet skis – you’ll probably need more than a day to make the most of it. Plus, the park has a string of shops and restaurants, so ice-creams and meals couldn’t be easier to come by.
How much? Adults will pay €22.50 for a ticket direct, and children (2 to 12 years) cost €16. It gets busy in summer, but you can book in advance through the First Choice website to avoid missing out.
Must dos? Xtremepark Paintball – tucked in the top right-hand corner of the park. Well, how many waterparks do you know with a paintballing zone?
Love waterparks? Then check out the First Choice SplashWorld range. A collection of hotels that either have their very own waterparks onsite, or give you unlimited access to one that’s really nearby – it’s every water baby’s dream. The Coral Sea Splash Resort in Sharm El Sheikh is one of our favourites, as is the Aquasplash Estival Resort in Costa Dorada.