Beat the summer heat and get wet and wild at any one of these water parks which will guarantee you emerge sputtering “Again!” with every ride.
#1 Schlitterbahn Water Park, Kansas
They say that everything is bigger in Texas and this water park is a testament to that. With 23 attractions within the park, visitors are spoilt for choice. Schlitterbahn, which means “slippery road” in German, boasts a slide that’s been named the world’s tallest by Guinness World Records. Called “Verrückt”, the ride features a 3-person raft that slides down a jaw dropping 168 foot, only to be blasted back up a second hill and down another 50 foot drop. It’s not surprising that “Verrückt” means insane in German.
#2 Watercube, Beijing
Officially known as the National Acquatic Center, it was built for the 2008 Olympics swimming competitions so you can bet it’s seen (and continues to see) some pretty epic water action. Millions of dollars went into revamping the stadium into what is now China’s second most popular tourist attraction (second only to the Great Wall). Experience speed and exhilaration with the AquaLoop ride, in a capsule that thrusts riders looping through a 40 foot vertical free fall drop.
#3 Siam Park, Tenerife
Located in Tenerife, Canary Islands in Spain, the Thai-themed water park features a Bangkok-style floating market, a sea lion beach and a wave pool that’s capable of generating 10 foot waves – the biggest any wave pool in the world can generate! Slide down the Tower of Power, which is a 90 foot drop through tanks of sharks and stingrays that will leave you breathless and exhilarated.
#4 Tropical Islands, Berlin
It may look like the tropics but Tropical Islands is actually located an hour south of less-than-tropical Berlin. Housed in an old plane hangar, the world’s largest indoor beach is the perfect place to escape Germany‘s cold winter or in the summer, cool down in the water. Said to be the largest free-standing building in the world, the water park includes balloon rides, a free-fall tower ride and acrobatics show. Oh, and it’s also home to over 50,000 plants, making it the biggest indoor rain forest in the world.
#5 Beach Park, Brazil
The largest water park in South America, Beach Park offers 18 rides and attractions that’s split into three categories: family, moderate and radical attractions — so there’s something for everyone. Daredevils will love the Insano, the park’s most thrilling water slide. Starting at 14 floors high, you’ll get the best aerial view of the park before the 41 meter drop that reaches 65mph in five seconds.
#6 Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai
Situated in front of the stunning Burj Al Arab, the Wild Wadi Waterpark offers 30 rides and attractions for the whole family, from wading pools to adrenaline-rush rides for thrill seekers. Dizzy down the Tantrum Alley where you’ll travel down three tornadoes, or ride the acquatic rollercoaster Master Blasters that will that rocket you up to 15 metres high or for the ultimate thrill, there’s the 120 metre high Jumeirah Sceirah, which will have you sliding down at a speed of 80 km/h!
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