When it comes to cooling down while getting a dose of sun, there’s no better way than hitting a water park.

With scary slides, vertical drops, terrifying twists and turns, wave pools and lazy rivers there’s splashtastic fun to be had for everyone, especially at water parks in Dubai.

You might also like: 45 brilliant family-friendly days out in the UAE

So grab the kiddos, the sun cream and dive into the waterparks that Dubai (and its nearby neighbours) has to offer.

Dubai water parks worth a day out

Aquaventure Waterpark

This huge waterpark in Dubai is a must-try for the whole family from the tiniest water babies up to thrill-seeking bigger kids. It’s the largest water park in the world with a total of 28 record-breaking water slides and attractions including the world’s tallest water slide, the longest family water coaster of its kind, the tallest vertical drop body slide in the Middle East and the region’s first cliff-jumping experience. With 105 slides and attractions to try at Aquaventure, this is one family-friendly water park you’ll need to visit more than once, plus UAE residents get discounted tickets.
Prices vary. Open Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 10am-5.30pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com (04 426 2000).

Jungle Bay

There are plenty of rides and attractions to keep the whole family entertained at Jungle Bay. From gentle slides that are perfect for little thrill-seekers to a dedicated splash park which, with no height restrictions, is aimed at kids of all ages. For the more daring, there is a six-metre pneumatic wave pool offering hours of splashing fun.
From Dhs200 (weekdays, or Dhs100 (kids four-12), Dhs (weekends). Open daily 9am-6pm. Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina (04 399 3333).

LEGOLAND Water Park

Discover a whole world of colourful aqua fun at this family-friendly water park at Dubai Parks and Resorts. Ideal for younger kids with just the right number of slides, tumbling buckets of water and water shooters, while older (and taller) adrenaline-seekers will find 20 slides to try out.
From Dhs330 (free for kids under three). Open daily 10am-6pm. Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai, legoland.com (04 820 3123).

Wild Wadi

The awesome family-friendly water park in front of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah offers the whole crew something. Keep it calm by floating around the long lazy river of Juha’s Journey or ramp the adrenaline up (if you dare) by sliding down Tantrum Alley, Burj Surj and the infamous Jumeirah Sceirah. You can hit the waves at Wipeout and Riptide Flowriders while the littlest thrill-seekers can head to Juha’s Dhow and Lagoon with over 100 water activities available – including five slides, a pair of racing slides, and water guns.
From Dhs249..10am-6pm Mon-Sun. Wild Wadi Waterpark. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim 3. wildwadi.org (04 348 4444).

Waterparks close to Dubai

Dreamland Aqua Park

When you have the opportunity to enjoy a day trip to a waterpark then Dreamland Aqua Park is a good shout. Boasting 15 different exciting rides and attractions, a selection of restaurants, the UAE’s largest pool bar, cabanas for the sun-seekers and even a mini zoo it would be unwise to pass it up. Dreamland also has one of the largest jacuzzis in the UAE, for those who prefer to laze the day away in soothing warm waters.
From Dhs160or Dhs100 (kids). Open daily 10am-4pm, Al Shebeakah, Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, dreamlanduae.com (06 768 1888).

Pearl Kingdom at Al Montazah Amusement and Water Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Al Montazah (@almontazahparks)

This family-friendly water park in Sharjah serves up some seriously splashing fun for the whole family. With magic carpets, hidden treasure, pirates, a phoenix and the pearl princess herself, the water park promises a fun adventure alongside the 25 slides and attractions. Little ones can spend the day keeping cool at the Kid’s Galaxy mini splash park or by exploring the remains of an ancient sunken ship at Kid’s Sea, while older thrill seekers can brave the huge ring ride, several sliding options at The Fort or dare to slide down the park’s tallest slide at the King’s Palace. There is also a wave pool and a lazy river for a more chilled-out experience.
Dhs174 (adults and kids over 120cm), Dhs140 (kids 80cm-120cm), free (kids below 80cm). Open daily 10am-10pm. Opposite Flag Island, Sharjah, pearl.almontazah.ae (06 511 0555).

Yas Waterworld

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yas Waterworld™️ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (@yaswaterworldyasisland)

Yas Waterworld can be enjoyed by the whole family. The park is divided into four thrill levels: adrenaline rush, exciting adventure, moving and grooving and young fun. Each zone caters to different age groups and, with 40 slides, there’s something for everyone.
From Dhs295 (online), or Dhs225 (kids, online). Open daily 10am-5pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 51).

Other things to do in Dubai

New restaurants in Dubai that you need to visit right now
From casual eats to fine dining, there’s bound to be a new venue you’ll want to try

These are Dubai’s best restaurants: 85 incredible places to dine in 2024
All the winners of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2024

125 top business lunch deals in Dubai
Tasty weekday lunches to try divvied up by neighbourhood