There are plenty of water parks in Florida that are ideal for fun in the sun, from roaring waterslides to toddler splash pads.

It’s common to spend a day in Florida near some water, whether at the beach, on a lake, or at one of the many attractions at the Orlando theme parks. Then consider one of these nine best water parks in Florida when you want to cool off during the dog days of summer.

Many of the renowned water parks are located in Orlando, but some are in beachside towns like Tampa and Cape Coral. However, each of these parks offers a ton of fun aqua-themed activities. Due to Florida’s year-round sunshine, most of these parks remain open well into the fall. 

Before digging out your bathing suit, be sure to read what you need to bring and what type of sunscreen is allowed. Some water parks do not provide towels for guests, and others require animal-safe sunscreen because live animals appear at the parks. Cool off! 

8 Best Water Parks in Florida

#1 Aquatica: Best Water Parks in Florida

Sea World’s water park in Orlando is Aquatica. Dolphin Plunge is the main attraction here, a water slide where you can zip past Commerson’s dolphins as you zip down into the pool below. You can see the dolphins up close on the observation floor below the slide. There are eight other water slides, a lazy river, and a kid-friendly splash park built just for kids.

Many previous park goers enjoyed the feature of being able to reserve their private cabanas and lounge area for their families. Choose from Roa Rapids River, Walkabout, or private beachfront cabanas. 

Discover more about Aquatica Water Park by visiting their website. 

#2 Adventure Island: Best Water Parks in Florida

Near Tampa, you’ll find Adventure Island, another SeaWorld park. Our favorite water slide at the park is Riptide – racing your friends down this four-lane giant slide is a wet version of the fair ride. Adventure Island is a seasonal park that’s open from March to November.

Discover more about Adventure Island by visiting their website. 

#3 Discovery Cove: Best Water Parks in Florida

At Discovery Cove in Orlando, you can swim with dolphins and float along a lazy river that’s also an apiary. Aside from animal encounters for all ages, there is a beautiful snorkeling reef where you can swim with tropical fish and rays. The highlight of any day at Discovery Cove is learning about dolphins up close and even swimming with them in the pool.

Discover more about Discovery Cove by visiting their website. 

#4 LEGOLAND: Best Water Parks in Florida

The LEGOLAND Florida Water Park is a seasonal attraction within the ever-expanding LEGOLAND Florida Resort. There are six attractions in the park, all of which are LEGO-related (of course). Children and adults can enjoy raft rides such as Twin Chasers and Build-a-Raft Lazy River, but young ones will especially enjoy the interactive play area, Joker Soaker.

Discover more about LEGOLAND by visiting their website. 

#5 Blizzard Beach: Best Water Parks in Florida

Walt Disney World created a ski lodge-themed water park even though snow and Florida don’t typically mix. The idea for Blizzard Beach came about when a freak snowstorm hit Florida.) The park is home to Summit Plummet, one of the world’s tallest and fastest body slides.

Discover more about Blizzard Beach by visiting their website. 

#6 Rapids Water Park: Best Water Parks in Florida

There is a seasonal water park in Riviera Beach called Rapids Water Park. There are 20 rides and attractions for the whole family, from toddlers to thrill-seeking adults. Younger kids will enjoy Alligator Alley, a sort of water obstacle course where they’ll have to cross large lily pads and faux alligators to get to the other side. Adults can ride together on Big Thunder, a funnel slide that drops them at a 45-degree angle through tubes into a massive water funnel.

Discover more about Rapids Water Park by visiting their website. 

#7 Volcano Bay: Best Water Parks in Florida

A massive volcano is the focal point of Universal Orlando Resort’s tropical oasis. This water park has plenty of slides, a lazy river, and tasty snacks, but the Tapu Tapu is what sets it apart from the rest. You will receive a bracelet as soon as you enter the park in the morning. You can use the Tapu Tapu bracelet to hold your place in a virtual line for every ride, pay for food and drinks with cashless payment, and even open your rental locker with it.

Discover more about Volcano Bay by visiting their website. 

#8 Island H2O Live: Best Water Parks in Florida

Island H2O Live is the newest water park in Orlando! Throughout the day, you can accumulate points as you tap on various touchpoints with a wearable wristband. Then you can redeem your points for discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise. The 13 rides are each named after a different social media aspect, such as Follow Me Falls and Hashtag Heights.

Discover more about Island H2O Live by visiting their website. 

#9 Sun Splash Family Water Park: Best Water Parks in Florida

Cape Coral’s Sun Splash Family Water Park is southwest Florida’s largest water park. There’s plenty to do here for thrill-seekers as well as those who want to relax along the lazy river. Make sure to try the five-and-a-half-story free-fall slides (you’ll get a massive wedgie, but you’ll also get back in line). Children can enjoy a pirate-themed splash zone with water cannons, drop buckets, and slides.

Discover more about Sun Splash Family Water Park by visiting their website. 

Water Parks Safety Tips

• You’ll spend most of the day outside, in the heat. Dress accordingly. Dress appropriately to avoid sunburn, heatstroke, and dehydration. You should wear water shoes, a hat, a loose t-shirt when you need a break from the water, and sunglasses. Keep an eye on younger children and monitor how much time they spend in direct sunlight.
• Wear waterproof sunscreen 30 minutes before you arrive at the park and reapply it throughout the day. You should reapply waterproof sunscreen every 80 minutes if you’ve been in the water, especially if you’ve dried yourself off with a towel in-between applications. The FDA also recommends applying lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher when in the sun.
• Being in the sun all day and playing in the water can quickly dehydrate you. Avoid caffeinated sodas and drinks with artificial sweeteners and drink plenty of water. Drinking these beverages will cause dehydration, so water is always the best option. You’ll need more water when you’re inside because you’ll sweat out a lot of water.
• You must always know where your kids are at the water park. Even if there is a lifeguard on duty, don’t rely on them. Watch your children or be in the water with them. Lifeguards scan large areas and may miss something. In addition, babysitting isn’t their responsibility, and they should only be called upon in an emergency, which you do not want to happen.
• Some ” toos ” can quickly turn into dangerous circumstances if not monitored correctly. Do not get too tired, too cold, too far from safety, or too exposed to the sun. When your children mention any of the above, or if you sense the family has been in the sun too long, take a break in a shady spot or go inside.
• A survey by the American Red Cross found that 30 percent of parents think floaties are an appropriate substitute for supervision. Every child should wear a life vest, and an adult should supervise at all times.
• Before sending your children into the park, be sure to read all posted signs. Each park has its own rules. There are many features and slides at water parks, each suitable for different ages. Make sure you read all safety precautions and procedures that pertain to your height, age, swimming ability, and medical condition. Make sure to follow the rules and ask the lifeguards or staff if you have any questions.
• Even though it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, keeping everyone safe by not running around the park is essential. Running on slippery decks or sidewalks can be extremely dangerous. By walking instead of running in the park, you can avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room for stitches or a broken leg.
• Many water parks have different levels of water depth. Keep young children in the shallow play areas. Many water parks have zero-depth entry pools with sprays, fountains, and water games that may be more suitable for your younger children than going on a water slide or swimming.

Do you know of any Water Parks in Florida that should be on this list? If so, share in the comments below!

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