Spending the day at a water park is a fun way to beat the heat in the Sunshine State. Perfect for family outings or hanging with your friends, Florida's top water parks are full of fun activities like thrilling water slides, gnarly wave pools, and relaxing lazy rivers. This summer, grab some sunscreen and towels and head to a water park near you for a fun-filled day in the sun. You can also plan a one-tank trip and explore a new one you haven't been to before. There is certainly no shortage of water parks, and here is our comprehensive list of the best water parks in Florida.
Central Florida Water Parks
Universal's Volcano Bay
Universal's new Volcano Bay is making a splash with their cool island theme and no-wait queue system. That’s right, no more standing in long lines!
SeaWorld’s Aquatica brings you down under with Dolphin Plunge, a one-of-a-kind tube slide that sends you racing next to beautiful, black-and-white Commerson’s dolphins in an underwater world.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical oasis that will carry you away… literally. Their Surf Pool, which is the largest wave pool in North America, is a force of nature with its gnarly six-foot waves.
At Disney’s polar-themed water park, Blizzard Beach, you can “chill out” for the day or brave the heights of Summit Plummet, one of the world’s tallest, fastest free-fall body slides with a 12-story drop.
LEGOLAND Florida Water Park, Cypress Gardens
More than just slides and pools, LEGOLAND, Florida’s Water Park gives kids lots of fun ways to play and create like building their own boat or raft to ride!
Feeling a sense of adventure? Come to Adventure Island for a fun-filled day exploring ten water slides and much more! And if you have the energy to spare, you will find Busch Gardens across the road.
A roadside gem since 1947, Buccaneer Bay takes you back to nature as the Florida water park centered around Weeki Wachee Springs where you can also catch a mermaid show!
South Florida
Sailfish Splash is a family-friendly Florida water park in Martin County with fun water activities for all ages.
Rapids Water Park, Riviera Beach
As the name implies, Rapids Water Park is full of thrills with a dozen rip-roaring rides, but it also has water activities for kids and rides for those who just want to relax.
Sun Splash Family Water Park, Cape Coral
With 14 acres of water slides, pools, and play areas, Sun Splash is the largest water park in Southwest Florida and has something fun for everyone.
Not far from Naples Beach, you can also have fun in the sun at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon minus the sand and sharks.
North Florida
Daytona Lagoon has a water park and a “Dry Park,” so you can cool off after playing at the arcade, mini golf, laser tag arena, or go-karts course.
Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach
Adventure Landing is more than a water park with an arcade, mini golf, laser tag, and go-karts as well as a couple of fun rides like the Wacky Worm Roller Coaster and the Frog Hopper.
Shipwreck Island Water Park, Panama City Beach
You’ll be happy to be stranded at Shipwreck Island with their steep water slides, large wave pool, and other fun water activities like the Ship Jump cable line.
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, Destin
Big Kahuna’s will have you yelling “Kowabunga!” This island-themed water park has 40 water attractions including Jumanji, a freefall slide with a five-story drop, as well as thrill rides like the Cyclone, Skycoaster, and Honolulu Half Pipe.
If you've been to any of these 15 water parks, please let us know what you thought about it in the comments. We look forward to reading your reviews!
(Cover photo by Orlando Magical Getaway; all other images from the water parks' websites and Facebook pages.)
Click on the city links in each listing above to find more fun things to do and events taking place in that area!
