Too hot on the beach but you still want some fun in the sun? Then head on over to Yas Waterworld.
The water theme park on Yas Island is one of the largest in the region with more than 40 splashy rides, various pools, and immersive aqua experiences. What’s more, Yas Waterworld has announced an ambitious expansion of 16,900 square meters, by 2025, and promised to add 18 new thrilling rides and attractions.
Currently though, to help you make the most of your visit, here’s all you need to know about Yas Waterworld. Also read more about exciting upcoming attractions.
Get ready to make splash!
Planning your visit
The Emirates-themed waterpark is open Saturday to Thursday 10 am to 7pm and from 1pm-10pm on Fridays.
Facilities at the park include private cabanas for four to six people, which you can rent for Dhs349. The Al Waha cabanas are a great place to take a break in between all the fun and come with VIP butler service, complimentary towels, a mini fridge, and a safe for your valuables.
Towel and stroller rentals are also available and there are various gift shops where you can pick up souvenirs.
Feeling peckish? The park has five food outlets, including Dana’s Diner, Salma’s Snack Shack, and an ice-cream parlour, Skinny Frozen Treats.
You might also like: Ladies’ day returns to Yas Waterworld on Fridays
Getting to Yas Waterworld
Yas Waterworld is situated on Yas Island and you can reach the theme park by private transport (the park offers free parking), taxi or bus.
Free shuttle bus from Dubai
Two free shuttle buses run to and from Dubai to Yas Waterworld and some of the other main attractions on Yas Island, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
The buses operate on a first-come first-served basis and can be found at Deira City Center, next to Majid Al Futtaim Tower 1, and at the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel.
All you will need to board is your e-ticket for Yas Waterworld.
Find the timetable online here.
Free shuttle bus from Abu Dhabi city
Visit Abu Dhabi operates a shuttle bus taking visitors from hotels to top attractions.
Route B stops at Yas Waterworld, as well as other top attractions in the city, including Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
To board, you will need to show either your Yas Waterworld ticket or proof of an overnight stay at one of the hotels the route serves.
You can find the schedule online here.
Yas Island Express
Those already on Yas Island can make use of the Yas Island Express.
The shuttle runs between various hotels and attractions on the island, including Yas Waterworld.
The timetable can be found online here.
Attractions
With more than 40 splishy-splashy rides and slides, various pools, and get-your-feet-wet experiences for young and old there’s plenty to do at the water park.
Rides and slides
As we’ve mentioned, there are lots of fun rides and slides at Yas Waterworld. Some of our favourite ones for making a splash include Hamlool’s Humps, a ten-story-high speed slide, Liwa Loop, the first freefall drop waterslide in the region, the six Slithers Slides with its serpentine twists, and Dawwama, the world’s largest hydromagnetic-powered, six-person tornado waterslide – it’s over 235 metres long!
There’s also the Bandit Bomber, a 550–metre coaster, and the first with onboard water and laser effects. Riders can shoot jets of water at targets, drop water bombs and trigger special effects, while people below can spray them.
Would-be surfers and bodyboarders can also practice their moves at Rush Rider and Bubble’s Barrel, which has three-metre-high waves and the world’s largest surfable sheet wave for flowboards and bodyboards.
For little ones, there’s an entire Tots’ Playground with a paddling pool and three slides, as well as water cannons at Cannon Point.
See the full list of rides and slides here.
Experiences
AMWAJ
Yas Waterworld is home to the region’s largest wave pool with four unique wave patterns. Frollick in the water or relax on a sun lounger on the beach at Amwaj Beach.
Cinesplash
Technically a ride, Cinesplash is also a unique aquatic experience. The attraction combines cinematic wizardry, water effects, including waterfalls, moving seats, and water explosions, for a truly immersive experience as guests discover the Legend of the Lost Pearl with Dana and her friends.
Underwater VR experience
The first-of-its-kind experience in the UAE, Yas Waterworld’s underwater VR experience allows you to enjoy four unique encounters, including a drift drive in the ocean and getting up-close and personal with some friendly seals.
The underwater VR experience is available at an additional cost of Dhs75.
Pearl diving experience
This one-of-a-kind experience at Yas Waterworld gives guests the excitement of diving for their own oysters. The one-hour session includes a safety briefing and is accompanied by professional dive instructors. Once you’ve collected the oysters from the depths, you can learn more about the pearls inside and how to get to them. Plus, you’ll get to take your treasure home as a memento.
You can book a dive slot at the guest services counters.
Do note though that this activity is only available for ages eight and up.
New attractions coming soon to Yas Waterworld
Amusement ride
This one is going to break records to be the UAE’s highest slide. And, the region’s first amusement ride in a water park, that is integrated within a waterslide complex. Are you ready to experience a 15-metre-high drop? Up to 20 guests can feel the exhilaration together in one go.
Lost City
Set off on an exciting journey through the park, looking for hidden treasures and secret passages. The best part is that the search would be organic, in the sense that the route will be integrated into the park’s existing structure. So you get to enjoy the rockwork features, and iconic characters once again, in new light.
Mini-Boomerango
This one’s to give little guests that big ride sensation, without having to wait out the years to access the popular rides. They can get on to the mini-Boomerango without fear, and you can be around, waiting to capture the perfect photo of their excited little faces.
Mini-Dawwama
For kids too young to get on to most rides, the expansion will feature smaller scaled versions of the park’s most-loved rides. The mini thrill seekers will no longer be left out, and the one we’re looking forward to the most is the mini-Dawwama. It will be the region’s only kids’ mini blaster fusion ride with two blaster sections, and a thrilling rattler end section.
Tickets
Day passes for Yas Waterworld cost Dhs270 per adult and Dhs220 per child, and include access to all the rides and attractions, as well as complimentary parking.
Kids under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket and children 3 years and younger can enjoy free access to the park.
Tickets are available online or at the park but we would recommend purchasing them online so you can skip the queues at the ticket counter line at the park and benefit from a saving of up to 10 percent. You can purchase tickets online here.
The park also offers a discounted gold Yas annual pass, which gives you unlimited year-round access to Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World, for Dhs1,295.
Dhs270 (adult day pass), Dhs220 (junior day pass), Dhs1,295 (gold Yas annual pass). Opening hours vary. Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 115).
