Dubai water parks 2026: Aquaventure, Wild Wadi, AquaFun compared
Three main parks plus Laguna in JBR. Which to pick by kid age, budget, and type of day out.
The short version
Four water parks operating in Dubai. Aquaventure — the flagship, 22 ha, best for teens and adults. Wild Wadi — compact, at Madinat Jumeirah. AquaFun — a floating obstacle-course strip in the Gulf. Laguna in JBR — mini format by the beach. Each fits a different case.
Atlantis Aquaventure (350-450 AED)
The region's biggest. After the 2021 expansion: 105 slides, 17 rides, 22 ha. Part of Atlantis The Palm resort.
Top slides:
- Leap of Faith — a 30 m near-vertical drop through a clear tube in a shark lagoon. Not for the timid.
- Slitherine — high-speed twin slide, races possible
- Aquaconda — the world's largest single-rider slide, four-person bowl
- Poseidon's Revenge — 23 m drop-floor, 60 km/h
- Shark Attack — slow slide through a big shark tank, kids love it
Strong:
- Cabana rental (from 850 AED a day) with privacy and shade
- 2.3 km lazy river — world's longest
- Free access to Atlantis Beach
- Lost Chambers included (premium ticket)
Weak:
- 30-45 min queues in high season
- Slides not the most impressive for small kids
- More "corporate resort" than "street fair" atmosphere
Best for: teens 10+, adult thrill-seekers, couples without kids, corporate.
Wild Wadi (320-400 AED)
Compact water park inside Madinat Jumeirah. Older than Aquaventure (opened 1999) but with the trademark view.
Top slides:
- Jumeirah Sceirah — 33 m almost-vertical, 80 km/h
- Tantrum Alley — three drops in a row with banked turns and a barrel
- Burj Surj — Aquaconda's cousin in a bowl
- Master Blasters — uphill coaster on slides, actually thrilling
Strong:
- Burj Al Arab view from every slide
- Fewer queues than Aquaventure
- Mini Junior Sceirah for kids 3-6
- Combine with Souk Madinat, dinner at Trader Vic's after
Weak:
- 32 attractions vs 105 at Atlantis — three times less
- Adjacent beach gets very full in peak season
- Price close to Atlantis with less choice
Best for: kids 5-12, families on a half day, couples on 4-6 hours.
AquaFun (165 AED)
Floating obstacle park in the Gulf off JBR. 270 m long. Slides, jumps, bridges, monkey bars, Lego-style platforms.
Strong:
- 2-3x cheaper
- Unique format, nowhere else
- Kids 6-14 love it
- On the beach — no fenced compound
Weak:
- Swimmers only (vest provided)
- 1-2 hours max, no shade
- Closes in storms
Best for: kids 6-14 who swim, active adults, a beach half-day add-on.
Laguna Waterpark (150 AED)
Small park at La Mer / JBR. 4 slides, lazy river, floating trampolines. "Soft adventure" vibe.
Strong:
- Budget price, half of Atlantis
- La Mer restaurants around it
- Kids 4-10, perfect scale
- Lagoon with a gentle slope (depth 0-1.2 m)
Weak:
- Slides are mild, boring for teens
- Small footprint, 3-4 hours max
Best for: kids 4-10, families with small kids, budget.
What to pick
- Family with 5-10 kids — Laguna or Wild Wadi (if there's an older kid too)
- With 12+ teens or adults — Aquaventure
- Active 8-14 swimmers — AquaFun + JBR beach
- Couple chasing thrills — Aquaventure premium slides
- Cheap half day — Laguna or AquaFun
- Full day — Aquaventure (shade, restaurants, lazy river)
When to go
- November-March: ideal, water 25-27 °C
- April and October: borderline, water 30-32 °C
- May-September: water 35+ °C, hot — parks open but morning or evening
What to bring
- Swimsuit (rash guard for kids with sensitive skin)
- Aqua shoes for hot asphalt
- Reef-safe SPF50 sunscreen
- Own towel or rent (25 AED)
- Life vest for weak swimmers (free at Atlantis and Wild Wadi)
Tip: at Aquaventure look for the "After 14:00" ticket (30 % off). 4 hours covers everything including a lazy-river loop.
If you're a family wanting Atlantis room + free Aquaventure access, message us and we'll match a package.
