Best family-friendly water parks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Who doesn’t love a water park? Excitingly, you’ll find loads of family-friendly water parks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

With scary slides, vertical drops, terrifying twists and turns, wave pools and lazy rivers there’s splashtastic fun to be had for everyone in the family.

So grab the kiddos, the sun cream and your swimmers and dive into the best waterparks that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have to offer.

Goggles at the ready, it’s time to make a splash at these family-friendly water parks in the UAE.

Aqua Bounce Fujairah

So this isn’t strictly a water park per se, but what it is is loads of family fun on the water. The Fairmont in Ajman and Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort are both home to a cool floating obstacle course where inflatable slides, swings and other obstacles for little water babies to challenge themselves with.
Daily 10am-5pm. Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, Fairmont Ajman, www.fairmont.com.

Aquaventure Waterpark

When it comes to family-friendly waterparks, this tops the list for splashing fun for the whole gang. This huge waterpark in Dubai is a must-try for the whole family from the tiniest water babies up to thrill-seeking bigger kids – and yes, you too Mum and Dad. Plus, thanks to a huge extension earlier this year, this family-favourite is now 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 coast of its kind, the tallest vertical drop body slide in the Middle East and the region’s first cliff jumping experience. You’ll find it at the iconic Atlantis The Palm hotel and with so many awesome rides and experiences offering various levels of terror, it’s got family day out written all over it. We dare you to slide down The Leap of Faith that sees you whizz past sharks in a transparent tube (eek!). There is a separate area for the youngest family members who can explore the giant pirate ship trying to avoid the huge bucket that dunks out water every now and then. With a splashtastic 105 slides and attractions to try at Aquaventure, this is one family-friendly water park you’ll need to visit more than once.
Dhs235 (kids less than 1.2m), from Dhs289. Open daily 10am-6pm. Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Road, Dubai, atlantis.com (04 426 0000).

Dreamland Aqua Park

When you have the opportunity to enjoy a day-trip to a waterpark – 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. Split between three different “thrill levels” – low, moderate and high – each of the park’s rides cater for all levels of adrenaline-seeker. Dreamland also boasts its very own Dead Sea facility to float around in, along with one of the largest Jacuzzis in the UAE, for those who prefer to laze the day away in soothing warm waters.
Dhs105 (full day), Dhs75 (sunset access from 5.30pm). Sat-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-8pm. Kor Al Sharqi, www.dreamlanduae.com (06 768 1888).

Jungle Bay Waterpark

Located on the bay of Mina Seyahi this is the latest family-friendly water park to throw open its doors in Dubai. There are plenty of rides and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. The Lighthouse, Whizzard & Body Slides are gentle slides that are perfect for little thrill seekers, while an dedicated splash park, Aquaplay, which with no height restrictions, is aimed at kids of all ages. For the more daring, Family Waves is a six-metre pneumatic wave pool offering hours of splashing fun. There is also an on-site restaurant called The Beach serving up light bites throughout the day. Want to chill while the kids burn off some energy? There are cool cabanas to kick back in after you’ve grabbed yourself a refreshing beverage from the beach bar of course. Make the most of the kids being entertained on the slides… Well, we did promise family-friendly water parks and that means something for mums and dads, too.
Dhs200 (Sun-Thu), Dhs250 (Fri & Sat), Dhs100 (kids four-12 Sun-Thu), Dhs150 (kids four-12 Fri & Sat).

Laguna Waterpark

A family-friendly water park in a family-friendly Dubai location? Absolutely. This buzzing La Mer waterpark caters to the daredevils with rides such as the Free Fall, the Constrictor and The Loop, but doesn’t overlook the little ones with a lazy river and a dedicated water adventure zone called Aqua Play with waterslides and a giant soaker bucket. And when you’re done at the water park, you can take the gang for something to eat at one of La Mer’s numerous eateries. The perfect family-friendly day out. Plus, if you want the family fun to carry on, you can camp overnight at the family-friendly water park. Find out more here.
From Dhs175. Open daily 10am-6pm. La Mer, Dubai, lagunwaterpark.com (04 317 3999).

LEGOLAND Water Park

Discover a whole world of colourful aqua fun at this brick-tastic family-friendly waterpark at Dubai Parks and Resorts. The Joker Soaker area is ideal for younger kids with just the right number of slides, tumbling buckets of water and water shooters, while elsewhere in the park older (and taller) adrenaline-seekers will find 20 slides to try out. There really is no excuse not to get soaking wet.
Fee (kids under three), Dhs275. Open daily 10am-6pm. Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai, legoland.com (04 820 3123).

Pearl Kingdom at Al Montazah Amusement and Water Park

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. 
Dhs150 (adults and kids over 120cm, Dhs120 (kids 80cm-120cm), free (kids below 80cm). Open daily 10am-10pm. Opposite Flag Island, Sharjah, www.pearl.almontazah.ae (06 511 0555).

Splash Island

Housed in Blue Wave Club – and indoor swimming facility meaning splashing fun whatever the weather – little ones from as young as one (up to 12) can enjoy eight slides, beams, a waterfall, bucket forest and loads more. Kids under five must be accompanied in the water by an adult at all times.
Dhs95. Sun-Thu 8am-9pm, Fri & sat 9am-8pm. Al Quoz, Dubai, www.bluewaveclub.ae (04 331 6117).

Splash ‘n’ Party

Unlike the name suggests you don’t have to be celebrating turning a year older to enjoy this little splash park – although if you are, they do offer party packages. Expect a combination of water slides, big water buckets, plenty to climb and jump from, and even toddler-friendly pads to frolic around in.
Dhs100. Open daily 9am-8pm. Al Safa 2, Dubai, www.splashnparty.ae (04 388 3008).

Wild Wadi

The awesome family-friendly water park in front of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah offers the whole crew around 30 fun experiences and rides that both little kids and big kids alike will love. 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. Cool dudes 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 including five slides, a pair of racing slides, and water guns, but beware of the large dumping bucket that spills over every two minutes dumping its contents on anyone hanging out below. You can find out what’s in store here by watching our ‘every slide tried’ video.
From Dhs299. Open daily 10am-6pm. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, www.wildwadi.com (04 348 4444).

Yas Waterworld

Just like everything on Yas Island, Yas Waterworld makes families very happy indeed. From family-friendly theme parks to water parks the whole gang can enjoy. But we’re here to talk about slides rather than rides. Themed around an old Emirati legend, the park is divided into four thrill levels: Adrenaline Rush, Exciting Adventure, Moving and Grooving and, finally, Young Fun. Each zone caters to different age groups and with 40 slides there literally is something for everyone. The Tot’s Playground is ideal for parents of younger children as they can let them splash around safely in the shade.
From Dhs250. Open daily 10am-5pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 51).

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