The world's 10 wildest water parks

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This was published 5 years ago

The world's 10 wildest water parks

By Brian Johnston
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1 SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK, GALVESTON

It's 123 steps to the top of Massiv, the world's tallest water slide at this Texas park. Riders on an inner tube tackle the 282-metre-long ride, which propels you uphill with water blasts on some sections. Other thrill rides include a vertical plunge from Rohr that accelerates you to nearly 50 kilometres per hour. Then spiral down speed slides and tube chutes, and tackle the waves at Boogie Bahn surf ride. See www.schlitterbahn.com

2 AQUAVENTURE, BAHAMAS

Some 20 million gallons of water flow through this attraction, which provides 20 swimming areas and numerous water slides. The Abyss 60-metre body slide hurtles you into the lagoon. Especially notable, though, is the reinterpretation of that sedate water-park special, the lazy river, with The Current featuring wave surges and rolling rapids and running on a loop, with a water conveyor propelling you right back to the beginning. See www.atlantisbahamas.com

3 CALYPSO WATER PARK, CANADA

Canada's largest water park boasts the country's largest wave pool and one of North America's tallest water slides. Slides coloured blue and purple are for big thrill seekers, on which you drop though trapdoors and accelerate to 2.5G in two seconds in a rollercoaster-like experience. Slides with names such as Adrenaline, Black Hole and Turbulence are also a guaranteed scream. The six-person Boomerango circular raft fits the whole family. See www.calypsopark.com

4 AQUAVENTURE, DUBAI

There's a lot of variety at this water park. The underwater tunnels of The Lost Chambers aquarium surround you with 65,000 marine creatures, while adjacent Aquaventure Dubai has water slides and rides, including the dramatic Leap of Faith from its centrepiece 61-metre ziggurat. Shark Attack takes visitors shrieking through twisting, pitch-black tunnels. At Dolphin Bay, you can swim with the resident dolphins. There are also 11 pools and a beach. See www.atlantisthepalm.com

5 SANDCASTLE WATERPARK, BLACKPOOL

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Britain's largest indoor water park offers a balmy tropical-like climate, just the place to warm up in winter. It features 18 slides and a large wave pool, the world's longest indoor water rollercoaster (Master Blaster) and Sidewinder, the world's premier vertical slide. An interactive play area for kids called Caribbean Storm Treehouse amuses with water cannon and mini slides, while a giant coconut shell tips water over unsuspecting passers-by. See www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk

6 TROPICAL ISLANDS, KRAUSNICK

This gargantuan greenhouse, 60 kilometres from Berlin, keeps the temperature here at a balmy 26 degrees year-round. Beneath the dome you'll find the world's largest indoor rainforest, coconut trees and recreations of Indian temples and Angkor Wat. It's more resort than water park – think mini golf, Thai massages and a kids' adventure playground – but thrill junkies can hurtle at 70 kilometres per hour down Germany's tallest water slide. See www.tropical-islands.de

7 WET 'N' WILD, SÃO PAULO

When one of the world's biggest cities gets a bit too much, this water park at Vinhedo just outside the city is the perfect family stress buster. Cool off in the wave pools or lazy river, or hit the variety of water slides at Brazil's top water park. An area set aside for children is a lot of fun, especially the Bubble Up, a big elastic ball that launches kids into the water. See www.wetnwild.com.br

8 CHIMELONG WATER PARK, GUANGZHOU

Asia's largest water park boasts the world's longest lazy river and largest wave pool. Free Fall Plus and Master Blaster rides test the nerves, and The Boomerang tube ride ejects you almost vertically, then careers over bumps and ends with a splash-down. Young children will enjoy mini rides, a dedicated pool and a Hawaiian-themed play centre with over 300 interactive water toys and slides. See int.chimelong.com

9 SPLASHIN' SAFARI, SANTA CLAUS

This improbably named Indiana town has terrestrial thrills at Holiday World and water ones at the adjacent aqua park such as Mammoth, the world's longest water-coaster, which spans the equivalent of a seven-floor building and sends you hurtling in a boat through spiralling tunnels. There's a fondness for darkness. Hyena Falls has four different slides all ridden in the dark, and Frightful Falls is a log ride through tunnels and a faux graveyard. See www.holidayworld.com

10 SUNWAY LAGOON, KUALA LUMPUR

With over 80 rides and attractions from Bengal tigers to a pirate ship, Sunway Lagoon is a great place to retreat from the Malaysian heat. Ride the rapids of Grand Canyon, race at 40 kilometres per hour down the six-lane Congo Challenge, and ride the surf in one of the world's largest surf simulators, which has 2.5-metre waves. The park also has a unique double-tube ride that plunges 15 metres. See www.sunwaylagoon.com

The writer travelled as a guest of numerous tourism offices and at his own expense.

See also: The 50 best family holiday destinations

See also: Ten amazing, giant buildings you've never heard of

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