Among UAE and the world’s most lavish cities is Dubai, home to some of the world’s most interesting and awe-inspiring attractions. Right from the staggeringly large Dubai Mall to the colossal Burj Khalifa, the list is endless. Another one of these attractions is Aquaventure Waterpark, touted as the Middle East’s largest waterpark, offering a ton of adventure, thrills, and unadulterated fun to visitors of all age groups. It is located in the uber-luxurious Atlantis The Palm resort on the Jumeirah Island and has plenty of experiences that’ll appeal to adrenaline junkies, water babies, aquatic enthusiasts, and laid-back loungers alike. Here’s a guide to Aquaventure Waterpark that’ll help you plan your time in the best way possible.
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Things to do / Highlights
Dubai’s Aquaventure Waterpark offers a host of activities that’ll surely make for an eventful time. Here are a few of them for you to consider:
Explore the Lost Chamber Aquarium
Boasting some 65,000 marine species, the Lost Chamber Aquarium offers a brilliant opportunity to get up close and personal with aquatic creatures. You can swim or snorkel with the colorful underwater organisms, touch them, and even photograph them for keeps! Uninitiated divers can also hitch the training sessions that are offered there. You’ll be awarded a certificate, which you can flaunt along with a newly learnt skill, upon successful completion of the session.
Hitch a Shark Safari tour
Don your helmets and prepare yourselves for a fascinating adventure quite like no other. The waterpark offers a fascinating safari tour into the Shark Lagoon. You’ll be seated on a swim tube and left to float through a clear glass-paneled tunnel, which allows a 180-degree view of killer sharks and manta rays swimming around. The Shark Lagoon is a temperature- and gravity-controlled environment, so you won’t struggle to breathe or even walk along. However, only those above 8 years of age are permitted on this tour.
Befriend dolphins at Dolphin Bay
Dolphin Bay, located adjacent to the waterpark, is another excellent pit-stop to make. Here, you can interact with the friendly dolphins and even click fun photographs of and with them. Those savvy in diving can also go in for the dolphin diving experience and enjoy a swim with these adorable mammals. They’re all guided activities.
Head up to Sea Lion Point and meet the chattery sea lions
If there’s one marine mammal that calls for attention with their distinct sounds, it’s sea lions! Sea Lion Point has plenty of them, each calling for your attention, and asking you to come, play with them, which you can very well do. Skilled instructors are present there to ensure that your interaction goes by smoothly.
Indulge in retail therapy
Not just fun and games, the waterpark is also a haven for shopaholics. There is an array of showrooms and boutiques, offering a selection of designer swimwear, exquisite jewelry, premium chocolates, jeweler watches, and luxurious home decor items.
What to eat
Ossiano
Offering a unique ambiance of floor-to-ceiling views of the aquarium, dining at Ossiano is a pretty neat affair. This three-Michelin-star restaurant dishes out some of the most spectacular flavors, appealing to gustatory, olfactory, and visual senses alike! Try one of the restaurant’s seafood specialties and you’ll know just what we mean.
Ronda Locatelli
Experience the best of fine Italian fare at Ronda Locatelli, excelling at their stone hearth-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and delicate antipasti. The restaurant is set up in a casual style and even has a play area for kids to entertain themselves. Ronda Locatelli also offers gluten-free and vegan-friendly food options.
Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Bar
Gordon Ramsay is a household name in the culinary world, and you can very well try some nosh at his very own restaurant at the Aquaventure Waterpark. Inspired by the original Bread Street Kitchen in London, this one in Dubai brings the best of British hospitality and a careful selection of food, coupled with an extensive wine list. Their classics such as beef Wellington, fish and chips in beer batter, and one of the delicious British puddings are some of the many superlative dishes that are worth trying here.
While these three are the top celebrity restaurants at the waterpark where you can head for a bite, some of the other, equally great ones are Asia Republic, The Edge, Kaleidoscope, Nobu, Shawafel, and Hakkasan.
Travelers tips
Entry fee
Basic entry fee covers admission to the waterpark and a few essentials (towels, locker access, etc.), else there are other packages that include frills that you can also avail. Bonus: If you’re a guest at the Atlantis The Palm resort, this general admissions fee will be waivered for you.
Start the day as early as possible
Since the waterpark’s activities rely heavily on suitable weather conditions, which get impacted around sunset sometimes, it is recommended that you make the most of the time by heading there as early as possible. The closing time of the park may also change without prior notice, in case the weather deteriorates. Reaching early might also help avoid massive crowds/queues that are a usual feature of the park.
Payment for activities
The waterpark has a very cool system to track your purchases and make it easy for you to buy ride passes, etc. without having to carry around wallets. Visitors are provided with a wrist band at the entry that is connected to your credit card or can be topped up with cash at the entrance desk. Simply scan the band at the payment kiosk of whichever activity you wish to undertake and you’re done! No extra charges or hassles!
Liquor availability
The waterpark is licensed to sell alcohol, which you can easily buy and enjoy. However, be careful as it may not sit well in case you’re planning to go on adventure rides or water slides. Trust us, nothing can get messier than hurling on adventure rides! You might even be asked to leave the waterpark’s premises if you’re caught sufficiently tipsy.
Height restrictions
While the waterpark is a fun destination for those of all age groups, certain rides and slides have height restrictions. For example, you need to be at least 1.2m (4ft) tall to ride the park’s mega slides.
How to get there
Careem/Uber/cab/private vehicle
The road distance between Bur Dubai and the waterpark is about 32.5km (20 miles), which takes about half an hour to cover. Almost all hotels provide a cab or vehicle rental facility, so get in touch with them if you’re having trouble getting an Uber or Careem (Dubai’s local cab service) by yourself. Do note that the travel time and distance is likely to change based on traffic conditions and where you’re starting your journey.
Bus
Several buses ply from various points of Dubai to the Aquaventure Waterpark. Get in touch with your hotel concierge or seek local help to check up on the one closest to you and hitch that. Understandably, the travel time and distance will vary depending on your starting point.
Palm Monorail
The waterpark enjoys fantastic connectivity via the monorail. Direct monorail routes ply from the Palm Gateway every 20 minutes, which lands visitors directly at the waterpark’s entrance. Do note that tickets for the monorail are not covered by the Nol Card and need to be purchased separately.
Dubai Tour Guide
Dubai Local Tour Guide
Welcome, Hello, bonjour, Hola, Namasty, Salam! It brings me great joy to extend a warm welcome as you embark on your journey to explore our vibrant city during your visit to the United Arab Emirates. Here, in this land of hospitality, you are not just a guest; you are welcomed as a member of our extended family. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Rafiq, a seasoned professional in the realm of t... Read more
Tours by Dubai local tour guide
How to get tickets
There’s a host of options that you can choose from! Admission tickets to the Aquaventure Waterpark can either be purchased on the park’s official website, on third-party websites or in-person at the park’s on-site ticket counter itself.
While the tickets range from 70 - 95 USD for kids and adults, those below the age of 2 can enjoy free access. However, kid prices are deemed void if children are above 1.2m (4ft) of height and normal, adult rates apply. The waterpark also offers several packages, including a host of interesting experiences, which you can also book for yourself. The information regarding these packages is widely available along with admission charges, so you can choose whichever one you like.
Do note that the waterpark observes a strict cancellation policy, so modification/cancellation requests are not entertained. Only book tickets once you’re sure about your plans.
Aquaventure Waterpark information
Address: Atlantis The Palm - Crescent Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 70 - 95 USD
Official Website: Aquaventure Waterpark
Department of tourism: Visit Dubai
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