Ava GabouryLooking to cool down during the warm temperature of Vancouver’s summer season but want to experience bursts of excitement at the same time? Then a trip to one of the city’s amazing water parks should be on your itinerary!
There aren’t plenty of them in the city, but you know what they say: quality over quantity. This being said, we’ve rounded up some of the best water parks we recommend you visit for a nice and memorable summer in Vancouver.
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind summer bash!
Harrison Watersports
Website: https://harrisonwatersports.com
Address: 100 Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0, Canada
Contact details: +1 855-446-4974
Operating hours (Open from May to September only):
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Weekends: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If you want the thrills and spills of a water park but still want to visit the ocean, then Harrison Watersports should be right up your alley. This waterpark gives you the best of both worlds, so you’ll get to enjoy adrenaline-inducing slides while being surrounded by stunning views.
Aside from its natural location, what makes this water park unique is that it’s entirely made out of inflatables—think bouncy castles, but floating in the middle of a beach.
These inflatables are formed to create a fun playground consisting of slides, monkey bars, climbable walls and various other kinds of obstacles. The upside of having a full inflatable playground is that you won’t hurt yourself when you slip or fall—knock on wood.
| Pro tips: If you want to explore the water without diving, we recommend getting into their inflatable human-sized hamster ball. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. As much as possible, book your slots weeks or even months in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit during the summer. |
Big Splash Water Slide Park
Website: https://bigsplashwaterpark.ca/home/
Address: 4775 NuLelum Way, Tsawwassen, BC V4M 4G9, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-434-4840
Operating hours (Only opens in summer):
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday: 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
When it comes to sheer scale, nothing comes quite close to Big Splash Water Slide Park. It consists of 7 acres, all of which are utilized to house its huge-scale attractions.
This park is the ultimate adrenaline junkie’s paradise, as it consists of various massive slides that will make you scream your lungs out. Some slides will zip you down fast while others will take you to different twists and turns before plunging you into the water.
Don’t worry though, as there are also some attractions where you can just chill and enjoy the refreshing water of the park. These include the Kids Splash Pad, the Junior Splash and of course, the Main Pool.
| Pro tips: Don’t bother packing your own lunch when visiting this water park, as you’ll be forced to leave them in the car or worse, discard them. Don’t worry though, as there are various dining options inside! You can rent a locker that comes with a key if you’re planning on bringing valuables with you inside the park. |
Cultus Lake Waterpark
Website: https://www.cultus.com/cultus-lake-waterpark/
Address: 4150 Columbia Valley Hwy, Cultus Lake, BC V2R 5H6, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-858-7241
Operating hours (Schedule announced in Spring): Wednesday to Monday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cultus Lake Waterpark is one of the most picturesque water parks near Vancouver, as it’s surrounded by beautiful towering trees and rocky mountains. This view is amazing to look at, especially if you’re on top of one of the tall slides found here.
Speaking of slides, you’ll find an abundance of them in this waterpark. Whether you’re looking for straight ones or those that will let you ride on rafts, you’ll find just about every variation of it here.
One of the rides that we recommend the most is the Boomerang. It’s perfect for the family, as it isn’t too scary and multiple people can fit on a single raft, so you can scream in unison as you go through the steep slide.
| Pro tips: If you want to refrain from paying for overpriced resort food, don’t worry! You can pack a lunch to save money! For a different kind of fun apart from slides and pools, don’t forget to explore Cultus Lake’s Adventure Park! Here, you can enjoy various theme park rides that can provide you with equally spectacular experiences. |
Bridal Falls Waterpark
Website: https://bridalfallswaterpark.com
Address: 53790 Popkum Rd S, Rosedale, BC V0X 1X1, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-794-7455
Operating hours (Check website for updated schedule): Every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Bridal Falls Waterpark is among the smaller aquatic playgrounds near Vancouver’s area, but don’t be fooled! This smaller-scale waterpark can still provide countless hours of fun for the whole family thanks to its handful of slides and pools.
The slides here are fewer compared to other water parks, but they aren’t any less exciting! One of the most perfect examples of this is their Water Blaster slide, which will zip you through a long winding slide before plunging you into the massive pool.
Plus, it’s worth noting that the park is surrounded by beautiful panoramic views, which further add to the experience.
| Pro tip: If you want a significantly cheaper entrance fee, you can visit in the last hour and a half of the park’s operating hours. They offer a ticket called Last 1.5 Hours, which is cheaper compared to the original ticket. |
Variety Kids Spray Park
– Media credit: seattlewithkids
Website: https://stanleyparkvan.com/stanley-park-van-attraction-variety-kids-water-park.html
Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-281-8496
Operating hours (Opens during Summer): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Variety Kids Spray Park is one of the best water parks in Vancouver, partly because it’s free for everyone! Come summertime, you’ll find tons of Vancouverites flocking here to cool off during the warm temperature, especially those with kids.
You won’t find any kind of slides here, but hey, it is free after all. Plus, the absence of slides doesn’t make this park any less fun, as kids are sure to enjoy the showers and sprays found across this water park.
| Pro tip: While you’re here, make sure to explore the rest of Stanley Park! We recommend renting a bike to explore this massive path of greenery to get around more efficiently. |
