Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi is one of the top water parks in the world and a must visit for families visiting Abu Dhabi. We have visited a lot of water parks in our time, but from the moment we arrived we could tell this one was going to be good. With over 40 rides, slides, and attractions, it caters to all ages and thrill levels. This huge park combines water fun with Arabian heritage, offering a unique theme throughout. Like everywhere in Abu Dhabi everything is pristine and no expense has been spared in creating a fantastic theme and atmosphere.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know, including ticket prices, rides, height restrictions, dining options, and extra services like towel and cabana hire.

For help on planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, have a read of our Yas Island blog post.

Getting to Yas Waterworld

Walk

We stayed at the Warner Bros Hotel which is right across from the theme park. If you are looking to plan a special trip I cannot rate this hotel enough. The location is perfect and everything about the hotel is pure luxury. The Doubletree by Hilton hotel is right next door and is a great alternative. For more information and help planning a trip, have a read of our Yas Island blog.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available and the fare to many attractions from a Yas Island hotel is around £2.50 per journey, making it an ideal option for families who want flexibility when moving around.

Yas Express

The Yas express is a free shuttle bus that runs around the island stopping at all the popular attractions.

Opening Times and Ticket Prices

Opening Times

Yas Waterworld is generally open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but it’s a good idea to check the official website for any seasonal changes in the opening hours. Note that Friday 1pm – 10pm is ladies night when no men will be allowed to visit.

Ticket Prices

• General Admission: It is cheaper to buy online. Adult tickets AED 295 (approximately £64).
• Junior Admission: For children under 1.1 meters, the ticket price is AED 250 (approximately £51).
• Multi Day Tickets: You can buy multi day tickets allowing you into any of the 4 main parks over a 2, 3 or 4 day period. This will save you a lot compared to paying individually.

Extra Services

• Towel Hire

Forgot your towel? No problem! You can rent towels inside the park for around AED 40 (approximately £8).

• Locker Rental

To store your valuables safely while enjoying the rides, lockers are available for rent. Small lockers cost AED 50 (£10), medium lockers AED 60 (£12), and large lockers are AED 115 (£23).

• Cabana Hire

If you’re looking to relax in style, cabanas are available for hire. Prices vary based on size and location.

-Standard Cabana: AED 349 (£71) for the day, ideal for 4 people.

Yas Waterworld Slides and Attractions

Yas Waterworld offers a great variety of rides, from adrenaline-pumping slides to family-friendly wave pools. We were visiting with our son Leo who is 5 year old (and just under 1.1m) and our 2 year old nephew. Unfortunately Leo was JUST too short for the bigger slides, but he did get to go on the rollercoaster which he loved. Despite him not being able to go on the bigger slides, there was still lots for him to enjoy.

Here’s a breakdown of some of our favourite rides of the day, along with their height restrictions:

Our Favourite Thrill Rides

Dawwama

The world’s largest six-person tornado water slide. Riders are sent down a steep drop before being spun through a giant funnel sat in a 6 person inflatable.

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.3 meters.

Jebel Drop

For thrill-seekers, this high-speed slide offers incredible views of the park before plunging riders down a near-vertical drop. The parks steepest waterslide.

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.2 meters.

Bubbles Barrel

Featuring the world’s largest surfable sheet wave, this is perfect for surfers and bodyboarders.

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.4 meters.

Liwa Loop

This free fall drop waterslide is unique as it falls into a loop!

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.2 meters.

Seabag Yas Waterworld

This six lane racer slide is lots of fun. You can watch the stopwatch to see your time and compete with your family!

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.1 meters.

Exciting Rides for the Whole Family

Bandit Bomber

This suspended rollercoaster offers plenty of thrills while keeping it family-friendly. People can squirt you with water guns as the coaster speeds around the suspended track!

Height Requirement: Minimum 1m

Falcons Falaj

The world’s longest mammoth six-seater water coaster! Lots of fun for the family. Leo was unfortunately just short of being allowed to ride, but he would have loved it.

Height Requirement: Minimum 1.1m

Fun Activities for Tiny Ones

Al Raha River

A lazy river perfect for relaxing with the family. Float along a winding river and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Height Requirement: No restriction, but young children must be accompanied by an adult.

Amwaj Wave Pool

A massive wave pool where families can swim and play in the surf. Waves are gentle enough for children but exciting enough to entertain everyone. There are lifejackets available before you enter for children or adults who may need them.

Height Requirement: No restriction.

Kiddy Slide Pool

This interactive water playground is ideal for younger children. With small slides, water cannons, and shallow pools, it’s perfect for safe splashing fun. The floor of the pool is soft and both our 5 year old and 2 year nephew enjoyed playing here.

Height Requirement: No restriction, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Marah Fortress

Young children can play all day in this ultimate water playground. There are slides, dumping buckets, a water-shooting geyser, water cannons. Leo and Eli would have played here all day.

Height Requirement: No restriction, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Day at Yas Waterworld

Arrive Early

Yas Waterworld opens at 10:00 AM, and it’s best to arrive as close to opening as possible. This way, you’ll beat the crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Buy your tickets online so you don’t have to queue for the ticket counter. This will also save you some money as tickets are cheaper online.

Plan Your Day Around Ride Wait Times

Start with the adrenaline-pumping rides like Dawwama and Jebel Drop early in the day, as these tend to have longer wait times later on. Save activities like the wave pool and lazy river for the busier parts of the day. Whilst we were there we didn’t encounter any queues longer than 5/10 minutes.

Consider a Cabana

If you end up needing to rent towels and lockers it is worth considering a cabana. Have a look at the price for the towels and locker rental and compare it to the price of a cabana. It may not be a lot more and the cabana comes with towels, a safe, a fridge and a lovely peaceful base with some privacy. This isn’t however essential as there are plenty of sun beds and shaded areas around the park.

Bring Flip Flops / Water Shoes

The pavement can get really hot during the midday sun, so bring shoes that you can easily slip on and off. There are places to put shoes next to most rides and attractions.

Stay Safe

Even though the park is filled with water attractions, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated and not realise how incredibly hot the sun is. Bring a reusable water bottle or purchase drinks at the park to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day. Remember to reapply suncream often. Covering up with a swim top with long sleeves will help protect you.

Use the Height Bands

Upon entering the park, your kids can be measured, and they’ll receive colour-coded wristbands indicating which rides they are eligible for based on their height. This will save time at each attraction.

Bring appropriate swimwear

I have attached a picture of the sign they have with what is and isn’t appropriate.

Where to eat at Yas Waterworld

Outside food isn’t allowed to be taken into the park, they check your bags on entering. Yas Waterworld does however offer a variety of dining options to cater to different tastes and budgets. You can buy an admissions ticket with food voucher (Tasty Ticket) which will save you some money on dining.

We were surprised by the quality of the food. Usually in places like this you expect generic fast food which minimal taste, but there were lots of great options. Some things were more reasonably priced than others.

Cabana food delivery

We were in a Cabana and were able to order from a menu on our phones and have food and drinks brought to us. The menu seemed to have access to any of the food outlets in the park. Everything we ordered was delicious with big portions.

I will tell you what we ordered to give you an idea of prices:

• Chicken Caesar Salad 46 AED (around £9.50)
• Kids margherita pizza 45 AED
• Chicken Biryani 59 AED (around £12)
• Kung Pao Chicken 59 AED (around £12)
• Mozzerella Sticks 29 AED (around £6)
• Bottle of Coke 18 AED (around £3.60)
• Fresh Coconut 34 AED (around £7)

Food Options at Yas Island

Dana’s Diner

Dana’s Diner serves up classic American fast food, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings and fries. It’s a popular spot for families due to its kid-friendly menu. Watch the surfers ride on Bubbles Barrel while you enjoy your lunch.

Chubby’s Kitchen

If you’re in the mood for something more varied, Chubby’s Kitchen offers a mix of international dishes. Enjoy everything from fried chicken and pizza to noodles and daal.

Salma’s Snack Shack

For those wanting lighter bites or snacks between rides, Salma’s Snack Shack is perfect for grab-and-go options like hot dogs, popcorn, and ice cream. Grab some fresh-cut fruit, fruit juice, smoothies or mix your own slush flavour at the ‘Slush It Up’ station!

Other Yas Island Theme Parks

One of the major draws for families visiting Yas Island is its world-class theme parks. These are the other three parks you can visit:

Ferrari World Yas Island

Car enthusiasts and thrill-seekers will love Ferrari World. Home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa (which is currently closed, boo). In addition to the high-speed attractions, there are family-friendly rides, simulators, and Ferrari-inspired shows for the whole family to enjoy. The park is located within Yas Mall and can be done with just half a day. The mall offers lots more fun activities to fill your day. We did indoor skydiving which I would really recommend.

Warner Bros World

Warner Bros. World is an immersive indoor theme park that brings some classic characters and cartoon worlds to life. Divided into six themed lands, including Gotham City, Metropolis, and Cartoon Junction, the park offers something for everyone, from thrilling rides like Batman: Knight Flight to family-friendly attractions like Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin. We have a whole post covering Warner Bros World here.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the newest addition to Yas Island. It is the first SeaWorld that doesn’t have Orcas. With interactive exhibits and shows, this park has an emphasis on education. Our kids really enjoyed this one. Don’t miss the Manta Rollercoaster, it was a lot more intense than I was expecting!

Final Thoughts: Yas Waterworld – A Must-Visit Family Day Out

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is not only one of the best water parks in the UAE but also one of the best in the world. It provides a wide range of activities for all ages, making it perfect for families looking to create unforgettable memories. With its varied rides, relaxing cabanas, and delicious dining options, Yas Waterworld offers everything you need for a fantastic day of fun and relaxation.

Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills or a laid-back family day in the sun, Yas Waterworld has something for you. Be sure to plan ahead, check for special deals, and take advantage of the park’s excellent facilities to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. Our trip to Abu Dhabi was a PR trip but all opinions are our own.