Adventure Island Water Park: Ultimate Ride Ranking Based on Thrill and Splash Factors
Adventure Island Water Park is found directly across from Busch Gardens Tampa, set in a soothing Key West atmosphere. This water park will provide good, old-fashioned, water-drenched fun as you and your family zoom down on the slides and jump on the tubing rides. This water park sits on an impressive 30 acres of land—perhaps unsurprisingly, it is the biggest water park in Tampa Bay.
Its large size and many family attractions ensure that you’ll have plenty to do all day long! At Adventure Island, there’s something for everyone, from relaxing under a private cabana to leisurely drifting down the lazy river, as well as water slides that have you sloshing along at high speeds.
We know everyone has a different idea of fun – especially when it comes to water parks. So, we’ve broken down the list of rides based on thrill and splash factors. We’re starting with the most relaxing and least splash-worthy attractions, working our way up to the heart-pumping ones that will have you screaming “WOOHOO!” Let’s dive into these rides! (Pun intended!)
Ease Your Way Into the Water With These Rides
Rambling Bayou
The Rambling Bayou is Adventure Island Water Park’s version of a lazy river. You’ll be grabbing a tube and enjoying a leisurely float through the water with tranquil surroundings. Don’t worry, there aren’t any alligators in this bayou!
You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a relaxing, faraway land as you drift for about ½ mile. Enjoy the lush greenery, waterfalls, and fog as you float through this ride. This ride is great when you need a break from the rush of the faster water slides. It’s also a way to wind down at the end of the day!
Endless Surf
Jump in the endless surf pool for waves that will sway you into relaxation every five minutes. It’s a great spot to cool off if you’ve been sunning near the pool. Plus, you likely won’t have to wait in line for the wave pool!
Paradise Lagoon
Paradise Lagoon is geared toward kids and comes complete with floating discs for carefully balanced water crossings, climbing nets (similar to monkey bars) hanging just over the water, and “cliffs” to jump off of. We’re ranking this one at about a 2 or 3 on the splash and thrill scale. It’s tame compared to some of the larger rides, but still pretty splash-tastic!
Solar Vortex
The Solar Vortex uses the hot Florida sun to create pretty patterns and colors on the enclosed parts of the slide. You and your family will be spinning and swirling at up to 20 MPH on a raft as you careen toward the water below!
Of course, you can expect a big splash at the bottom of the slide.
Rides That Will Get Your Heart Pumping
Riptide
Channel your competitive nature by challenging your friends, loved ones, or kids to a race down Riptide. Each rider is given a mat to slide down on, helping you speed over the bumps and across the finish line.
Everyone is released simultaneously so that you can slide through the hairpin turn and race to the end.
Wahoo Remix
This ride is a bit more thrilling, as you’ll be riding down a water slide. It’s one of the two newly unveiled rides that Adventure Island Water Park that just opened (May 7, 2022). Wahoo Remix, originally Wahoo Run, is an updated version of a classic ride that now features fun music and glow-in-the-dark tunnels!
Jump on a tube by yourself or with a loved one and ride the twists and turns to the splash pool below!
Aruba Tuba
We’d caution against younger riders going on this slide, as you’ll be sliding through darkness for most of the ride. Of course, if they have no fear of the dark, then they’re good to go!
Ride solo or with a friend in a tube as you zoom through the tunnels. Be prepared for a big splash at the end as you’re deposited with a plop, right into the pool!
Rapids Racer
The Rapids Racer is the other new ride that launched on May 7, 2022! If you enjoy other racing rides, you’ll want to up the ante and take the plunge into this side by side (aka slide by slide) experience. Choose your opponents wisely, as you’ll duke it out while zipping through 600 feet slippery slide with occasional views of your competitor.
Board a two-person raft and enjoy the ride as you speed through tunnels, twists, turns, etc.
Calypso Coaster
Fair warning, this ride is not for the faint of heart! You’ll be starting at one of the highest points in the park and find yourself sliding through twists and turns throughout the whole ride. Right at the end, you’ll be dropped into a splash pool. Hop on a tube and feel free to scream, laugh, and have fun as this ride throws the unexpected your way. Sorry, no spoilers here—just know there are some surprises!
Caribbean Corkscrew
This ride is for older kids and adults (anyone over 48″ tall). You’ll be riding in total darkness through this twisting, high-speed slide. If you’re afraid of the dark, you can ride down with your partner. Note, you’ll be riding the waves down to the bottom with no tubes for this one!
Water Moccasin
This ride is as thrilling as the name suggests! Pick from one of three slides and see where they take you. Each slide takes you on a different route before rushing you into the splash pool at the bottom, providing three unique experiences in one ride! These serpentine slides will have you twisting and guessing until you reach the bottom.
Colossal Curl
Grab a few friends, take a deep breath, and embark on this twisting, turning waterslide. You’ll be aboard a large raft and encounter waterfalls as you splash and zoom down the Colossal Curl. While you’ll feel weightless as you head down the corkscrews, you’ll likely still be letting out screams as you drop down this mega slide.
Vanish Point
We’ve saved the most thrilling (and terrifying) ride for last—Vanish Point! It will take some courage to stand on this slide as you watch the bottom drop out, leaving you to free-fall 70 feet down. The thrills don’t end there! Once you’re on the slide, you’ll be twisting, turning, splashing, and having a blast on your way down the 425-foot slide!
We give this ride a 10 out of 10 for thrills and splashes, as you’ll be shot out into the splash pool at the end. Oh, and there’s two slides to choose from—which one will you pick?
Adventure Island Water Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tips
It can be easy to get over-excited about the rides and skip reading the fine print. Here are a few notes that will allow you to avoid any snafus during your water park experience.
Make sure to read up on the appropriate water park attire before heading to the park. Certain items like buckles, cover-ups, and sports shorts are not allowed on most rides. You and your family will need to wear regular swimsuits to get on the rides. Some of the rides have different apparel restrictions, so check the rules for all of the rides you want to go on during the day.
Skip the phone on the rides – it can be dangerous. We know it’s tempting to document your thrilling ride down each slide, but there’s a high chance you’ll lose your phone during the rush…which definitely takes the fun out of your day. (And having a phone drop out of the slide can be dangerous for anyone walking nearby or underneath!)
If you’re bringing children under 13, head into the park with them – even if you’re personally skipping the rides. Adventure Island recommends an adult or guardian be with children under 13 at all times in the water park.
Overall, the Adventure Island Water Park does not disappoint! They’ve really jam-packed the rides into the park, creating a fun environment that has something for everyone. The best part of the water park is that they have rides for different ages and different interests. You can ride solo, challenge your friends and family to a race, or lie back and relax on the Rambling Bayou.
There’s even a water park section that toddlers will love that has bubbling water springs, a children’s water playground, and a water maze! Whichever rides you choose, know that you’ll be in for a day of fun under the sun.
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