Water Fun for the Holidays

Summer has hit us with a bang and it seems it will be a scorcher this year! The holidays are upon us and children are hot, bored and bothered. What better way to keep them entertained and cool them off by spending some time by the pool, in the ocean or at a water park.

There are plenty of water parks across the country which are sure to offer hours of fun for the entire family this summer. Here are few suggestions:

Adventure Land (Plettenberg Bay)

Centrally located along the N2 between Plett and Knysna you can find the perfect family day-out spot. Pack your own picnic basket and enjoy a picnic (and possibly a quick nap) under the shade of the trees on the large lawns or and buy something to eat at the kiosk and enjoy it while standing on the wooden decks overlooking the 24hectare estate that Adventure Land occupies. The tubes and slides are designed to satisfy everyone’s needs- with a 12m free fall slide and the Kamikazi slide (which lives up to its name) for the adrenalin junkies to the mini-supertube and kiddies slides and pool for the more calm at heart, there is bound to be some water fun had by all.

Current Cost:

Current Operating Hours: 10am to 5pm, Monday – Sunday.

Website: http://www.adventurelandplett.co.za/

Bugz Play Park (Cape Town)

Get the kids outdoors and develop your own knowledge of your child’s development as they splash, dig and run around the various play zones found at Bugz Play Park. Sandpits, a Mud Kitchen, splash pools and so much more with signs explaining which muscles and skills are being developed make this venue a fun learning experience for all.

Current Cost:

Tokens are necessary to do the rides. Some rides use 1 token, others use 4 tokens. Tokens are R10 each.

Current Operating Hours: Only open from Oct - April

Website: http://www.bugzplaypark.co.za/

Wild Waters (Boksburg)

Nick-named “The beach within reach”, Wild Waters with numerous pools, slides and sand areas lives up to it’s name. Keep a close eye on the kids while enjoying a picnic at one of the stunning picnic spots and then join the kids in cooling off in the clear, clean waters of the pools.

Current Cost:

Current Operating Hours: 10am – 5pm, Monday-Sunday.

Website: http://www.wildwatersboksburg.co.za/index.php



Valley of the Waves (Sun City)

Most people have at some stage or another seen the Roaring Lagoon on TV. This main attraction is a 6500 square metre wave pool that generates waves nearly 2m high every 90 seconds- a man-made ocean. However, few know of all the other attractions found at Valley of Waves water park in Sun City. Lifeguards on duty to ensure your peace of mind, designated children’s areas and many rides and exploring spaces offer a full day of excitement for all.

Current Cost:

Current Operating Hours: 9am – 6pm, Monday-Sunday. Gates open at 9am and close at 5pm. Water features shut down at 5:30pm.

Website: https://www.suninternational.com/sun-city/activities/valley-of-waves/

Kids World (Durban)

uShaka Wet ‘n Wild is most probably South Africa’s most well-known water park for adults, yet uShaka has a less-known water park focused specifically on kids. Kids World ensures that your kiddies can enjoy a variety of adventurous, wet and interactive fun either with you or one of the qualified uShaka Kids World Experts. If you choose to forego the opportunity to get wet with your kids in the water play areas, you can enjoy some “date time” with your significant other at the Duzi Café situated within uShaka Kids World or go across to uShaka Wet ‘n Wild to purchase your ticket and enjoy the more adult, adrenaline rides. And don’t forget to pay a visit to uShaka Marine World while you’re there!

*Note: For health and safety reasons, food hampers, braais and cooler boxes are not allowed within the uShaka Marine World premises.

Current Cost:

Current Operating Hours: 10am – 5pm, Monday-Sunday.

Website: http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/

Splash Water World (Amanzimtoti)