Finding the perfect, cost-effective getaway for you and your kids isn’t always easy. Opting for a day at one of the best water parks in South Florida is a great way to spend time together. 

Plan a Yes Day with your kids at one of these local water parks. 

Living in South Florida means an endless summer. Finding the best places to take your family to help beat the heat can be an exciting adventure.

This Spring Break, you can get the most out of the time you have together by visiting local water parks. Here are 9 of the best water parks in South Florida to enjoy with your kids. 

Paradise Cove Water Park in Pembroke Pines (Opens March 2022) 

Located in C.B. Smith Park, Paradise Cove Water Park is open on weekends from March to October. The place is open daily during the summer months. You can plan your trip by visiting C.B. Smith Park on 900 Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines. 

You are allowed to bring coolers into the facility. However, there are two concession stands where you can buy food and ice cream. 

Features: 

Paradise Pipeline is a 4 five-story waterslides that plunge into a 4ft pool.  Riders must be 42 inches, less than 250 lbs and know how to swim. 

Sharky’s Lagoon is an 18-inch pool with 3 waterslides, and is open to all ages. 

Parrot’s Point, a water playground for ages 5 and under, features a 12-inch pool with 2 waterslides. 

Crazy Creek is a 410-foot-long tube ride with interactive elements throughout the passage. 

Cost: $12.30 per person, $8 after 3 PM. It’s free for kids age 1 and under. There’s a gate fee on the weekends for C.B. Smith Park of $1.50 per person. Children 5 and under are free. 

Castaway Island Water Park at T.Y. Park in Hollywood (Opens March 2022) 

Also located in a park, Castaway Island (also called TY Water Park) is a great place for small children (ages 5 and under) to enjoy. The zero-depth kiddie pool offers climbing features and a small slide. 

Older kids and adults can go down slides as well. The deepest pool is 5ft. 

Castaway Island opens at 9:30 AM to 5:20 PM and is located inside Topeekeegee Yugnee (T.Y.) Park on 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood, FL. 

Coolers are allowed inside. However, there are two on-site concession stands. 

Cost: Admission to the water park is $8.50 per person with a price drop ($5.25 per person) after 3 PM. Children under 1 are free. You’ll need to consider the park entrance fee of $1.50 per person during the weekdays. 

Splash Adventure in Quiet Waters Park (Opens March 2022)

Another exciting water park in South Florida you can visit is Splash Adventure. Located in Deerfield Beach, Splash Adventure is an interactive children’s water playground. 

This location features slides, tunnels, water curtains, and more! Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 

Coolers are allowed into the facility. However, you can’t bring any glass or alcoholic beverages. 

Cost: Admission is $6 per person and $4.40 per person after 3 PM. Children 1 and under are free. Add the $1.50 per person park admission fee as well.

Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach (Opens March 2022) 

This 30-acre location has 35 slides, a quarter-mile lazy river, and a wave pool for you and your family to enjoy. It is considered one of the best water parks in South Florida for kids and adults.

Rides are categorized into 3 topics: Thrill Rides; Family Rides; and Kid Rides. 

There are 4 Thrill Rides, according to the Rapids Water Park website. These are:

1. Big Thunder
2. Black Thunder
3. Brain Thunder
4. FlowRider

There are 7 rides under the Family Rides tab. 

1. Baby Blue
2. Big Red
3. Body Blasters
4. Old Yellar
5. Raging Rapids
6. Riptide Raftin
7. Tubin Tornadoes

The third category is the Kid Rides which include: 

1. Alligator Alley
2. Barefootin Bay
3. Big Surf
4. Criss Crossing 
5. Lazy River
6. Splash Hill
7. Splish Splash Lagoon 

Cost: Rapids Water Park tickets vary throughout the week. Regular admission Monday through Thursday is $49.99 plus tax per person (except for holidays) and $59.99 plus tax per person on Saturday and Sundays, including holidays. 

Children ages 2 and under are free. 

Tidal Cove Waterpark in Miami (Open now)

Enjoy a freefall loop, relax in the lazy river, challenge yourself on the FlowRider, and make it a family adventure at the Tidal Cove Waterpark located at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, FL.

With 7 water slides available, there’s something for everyone to do together. You can make a day (or weekend) out of your stay at the resort.

Cost: Price ranges from $45 to $500. You can reserve your Resort Day Membership in advance to find the best deals for you and your family.

Grapeland Water Park in Miami (Opens Summer 2022) 

From water slides to a lazy river, there’s much to keep locals cool at Grapeland Water Park. You can check out the different pools and splash fountains as well. 

Located on 1550 NW 37th Avenue in Miami, this South Florida water park is sure to entertain the entire family. No outside food or drinks are permitted on the premises. 

There is an on-site concession stand where you can grab a bite. 

Cost: Adult Miami residents (I.D. required) pay $12 and non-residents pay $15. All children pay $7. Kids ages 2-13 are considered “Child” and those ages 14 and older are considered “Adult”. 

Children age 1 and under don’t need to pay for admission. 

Coconut Cove Water Park in Boca Raton (Opens March 2022) 

This location features exciting attractions including 2 four-story waterslides, a Lily pad walk, and an interactive water playground. 

You can spend the day lounging by the huge lazy river and take advantage of the full-service concession stand. 

Coconut Cove Water Park is located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park on 20130 Regional Park Drive, Boca Raton, FL. 

Cost: Adults (ages 12 and older) pay $12.50 plus tax, Seniors (65+) and Military (with ID) pay $10.50. 

Children (ages 3 to 11) pay $10.50 plus tax. Toddlers (ages 1 and 2) pay $5.50 plus tax – price includes water diaper. Infants under 1 are free. 

After 3 PM prices drop $2 for Adult and Children admissions. 

Calypso Bay Water Park in Seminole Palms Park (Opens March 2022) 

A children’s interactive water playground, 3 thirty-foot water slides,and lap pool with diving boards are just a handful of the benefits you’ll find at Calypso Bay Park. 

Located in Royal Palm Beach, this place is perfect to cool off with the kids. There’s a full-service concession available for guests. 

Cost: Calypso Water Park prices vary per person. Adults (ages 12 and older) pay $12.50 plus tax, Seniors (65+) and Military (with ID) pay $10.50. 

Children (ages 3 to 11) pay $10.50 plus tax. Toddlers (ages 1 and 2) pay $5.50 plus tax – price includes water diaper. Infants under 1 are free. 

After 3 PM prices drop $2 for Adult and Children admissions.

McDonald Water Park in Hialeah (Open on the weekends)

This location is currently open Friday through Sunday and is available to the public from 11 AM to 5 PM on Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, the facility is open at noon and closes at 5:30 PM. 

The park includes a zero-depth entry wave pool, lazy river, and more! It’s a great place to enjoy the weekend with family and friends. 

Cost: Children ages 2 and under are free. Older children who are Hialeah residents pay $3 each, and Adults pay $6 each. Non-resident children pay $6 each, and non-resident adults pay $9 each. 

Seniors (55+) pay $2 each. 

Final Thoughts On The Best Water Parks In South Florida

Whether you’re planning a trip to a local water park or simply visiting family and friends in the area, there are various things you need to keep in mind. From a budget to a sense of direction, you’ll be able to get the most out of your visit if you plan ahead.

Aside from the essentials, you’ll want to think of ways to save a couple of dollars. Although it might be convenient to visit a water park on the weekends, you can save on admission and parking by visiting on a weekday.

There are other ways for local residents to save extra money. For starters, the Find It All card is a great option for Broward County residents to minimize the cost of parking.

The card can be used at all Broward County parks and is a yearly pass to have access to local parks throughout the year.

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