The 11 best water parks in Canada
Summer means one thing: water parks! Here's a list of our favourite water parks and splash pads across Canada.
Photo: Courtesy of Granby Zoo
The best water parks and splash pads across Canada
Which water parks to hit
Put on your bathing suit, grab a towel and slather on some sunscreen—it’s time to plunge into the most anticipated activity of summer! From gentle splash pools to spine-tingling slides, Canada’s water parks are top-notch. Here’s a coast-to-coast list of the ones to hit this summer!
Bromont Water Park, QC
Pools, pools and more pools—all six of them—provide a refreshing end to slides and chutes that range from easy to extreme. There’s a play area just for tots and a heated wave pool that offers all the fun of the ocean without any seaweed. Thrill seekers will want to suss out the park’s rip-roaring slides, La Tournade and Les Serpents.
More: skibromont.com
Cultus Lake Water Park, BC
You’ll get splashed, sprayed and soaked at this adventurous aquatic facility located in BC’s Fraser Valley (a 90-minute drive from Vancouver). Experience a hair-raising rush in The Valley of Fear, BC’s only free-fall tube ride, or plunge into The Pirates’ Cove, a multi-level, interactive playground.
More: cultus.com
Amazoo Water Park, Granby Zoo, QC
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, consider escaping to the Amazon, if only for a day. This 12-acre themed water park features palm trees, a beach, and plenty of waves. Kick back along the lazy river or rent a private cabana and snooze under thatched palms. Your family will love splashing around Captain Dragon’s Den, a shallow pool filled to the brim with bubbles and foam.
More: zoogranby.com
Granville Island Water Park and Adventure Playground, Vancouver
The best things in life really are free. Take this large splash park in trendy Granville Island. It sports a tricked-out spray pad complete with rotating spray cannons, fire hydrants and geysers. There’s also a water slide, and a special zone just for toddlers. Green spaces surround the park, allowing parents to sneak in a spot of sunbathing while still keeping a watchful eye on the tots.
More: granvilleisland.com
Magic Mountain, Moncton
Head here for water slides that boast the same chills as amusement park rides. You don’t have to go into space to experience weightlessness, simply step into the Torpedo, a skybox drop capsule where you’ll be launched on the ride of your life. Or brave the Kamikaze, a 100-ft. virtual vertical drop where you’ll race along at speeds up to 60 km per hour. With kiddie slides, a splash-pad, lazy river and mini-golf, it’s a safe bet all ages will have a splash-tastic time.
Shining Waters Family Fun Park, PEI
Hankering for gentle rides or heart-pounding thrills? The choice is yours at this well-loved spot. Turtle Cove captures the hearts of wee ones, while the CannonBowl caters to adrenaline junkies, who’ll surge 40 feet before finding themselves in a massive bowl filled with swirling rapids before being flushed out.
More: shiningwaterparkpei.com
Splash Works Water Park, Toronto
If you think Canada’s Wonderland is just another theme park, think again. A visit to this 300-acre extravaganza nets you both a wet and dry adventure for the price of one. Tiny tikes slide into moderate thrills at Splash Island, and you can let your cares float away drifting down the quarter-mile lazy river. But what’s really fantastic (for drenched parents), is that all the water is heated.
More: canadaswonderland.com
Variety Heritage Adventure Park at The Forks, Winnipeg
Cooling off during the searing prairie summer has never been easier thanks to this splash park. Like a giant pop-up book bringing history back to life, you’ll find more than just touch-pad activated spray features. Kids can step into the past wading along a trickling stream and hopping over stone remnants from centuries-old buildings at this Red River representation set within a National Historic Site.
World Water Park, Edmonton
Yeah, it’s indoors, but you’re guaranteed a wet and wonderful day in a tropical setting, no matter the weather. Dip your toe in the world’s largest indoor wave pool or fly over it via the SkyFlyer zipline. Parents of little ones needn’t fret—a sprawling play area and variety of water slides suitable for all ages are also on hand.
Calypso Park, Ottawa
Canada’s largest themed water park has it all going on. Offering a wide variety of aqua attractions, this park has over 35 water slides, 100 water games and a 52,000-square-foot wave pool. Dive down the tallest free-standing water slide tower in Canada, walk the plank on a pirate ship, or explore a mystery river brimming with caves, cascading waterfalls and sneaky mammals.
More: calypsopark.com
Wet ’n’ Wild, Toronto
Check out the water park that calls Hawaii, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Houston and Toronto, home! Snag a little tropical paradise at the 45-acre water park that includes water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river to relax. Take your little ones to Wet ‘n’ Wild Jr. for kid-sized fun!
More: wetnwildtoronto.com
Read more:
Summer sun protection: A guide for kids and babies
19 best Parks Canada national attractions
Modern parenting, made easier
Expert tips, stories and support straight to your inbox.
Jody is a an award-winning features, travel and lifestyle writer based in Calgary, Alberta. She is currently an on-air personality for Global News and a wellness columnist for Calgary Herald. Her work can also be found in The Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Sun, and many more.