Water Parks at the Jersey Shore
Cool off with water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. The shore's best water parks for families, thrill-seekers, and everyone in between.
Wave Pools
Ocean action without rip currents
Thrill Slides
Body slides and tube rides
Kids Zones
Splash areas for little ones
How to Plan Your Day
A well-planned water park day means shorter lines and more fun. Here's the insider strategy.
Arrive Before Gates Open
Most parks open at 10am. Being in line at 9:30 means you're first on slides.
💡 Eat breakfast before arriving - don't waste precious low-crowd time eating.
Hit Big Slides First
Lines are shortest in the first 90 minutes. Do the most popular attractions now.
💡 Skip the lazy river until afternoon - it's always available.
Early Lunch
Eat before the noon rush. Food lines get brutal at 12:30.
💡 Some parks allow hand stamps for re-entry - eat outside for cheaper options.
Wave Pool & Lazy River
Peak crowd time. Avoid slide lines. Relax in less line-dependent areas.
💡 This is prime cabana time if you rented one. Escape the crowds.
Second Slide Session
Crowds thin as families leave. Lines drop significantly.
💡 Re-do your favorite slides. Often walk-on at this time.
Golden Hour
Shortest lines of the day. Many people gone. Temperature cooling.
💡 Best photos happen now - lower sun, fewer crowds.
Best Days to Visit
Tuesday-Thursday
Crowds: ⭐⭐
Lowest crowds. Best experience. Go if you can.
Monday & Friday
Crowds: ⭐⭐⭐
Moderate. Start/end of vacation weeks.
Saturday
Crowds: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Peak crowds. Avoid if possible.
Sunday
Crowds: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Busy but some leave early for travel.
First-Timer's Guide
Never been to a shore water park? Here's what to expect so you can relax and have fun.
Lines
Popular slides have 15-45 minute waits on busy days. Weekdays are much better.
💡 Budget 5-8 slide rides on a busy Saturday, 15+ on a Tuesday.
Food
Overpriced and mediocre. Pizza, burgers, chicken fingers. $12-15 per item.
💡 Eat a big breakfast. Snack from cooler in car at lunch. Dinner after.
Bathrooms
Usually clean but can have lines. Changing rooms available.
💡 Go before getting in line for popular slides.
Safety
Lifeguards everywhere. Height/weight restrictions enforced. Rules are rules.
💡 Listen to instructions. People get hurt ignoring slide rules.
What to Wear
- ✓Swimsuit (no cotton, no loose strings that can catch)
- ✓Water shoes or sandals with grip
- ✓Rash guard or swim shirt (prevents chafing)
- ✓Cover-up for walking around
What NOT to Bring
- ✗Glass containers (banned everywhere)
- ✗Outside food (most parks prohibit)
- ✗Expensive jewelry (will lose it)
- ✗Actual cameras (use phone in waterproof case)
Shore Water Parks
Raging Waters
Wildwood • Morey's Piers
4.5/5
Largest shore water park. Multiple slides, lazy river, and wave pool.
Hours: 10am-6pm (summer)
Ocean Oasis
Wildwood • Morey's Piers
4.5/5
Family-focused water park with Flow Rider and splash areas.
Hours: 10am-6pm (summer)
Breakwater Beach
Seaside Heights • Casino Pier
4/5
Boardwalk water park with slides, lazy river, and wave pool.
Hours: 10am-7pm (summer)
Runaway Rapids
Keansburg • Keansburg Amusement Park
3.5/5
Budget-friendly water park with classic slides and pools.
Hours: 11am-6pm (summer)
Splash Zone
Point Pleasant Beach • Jenkinson's
4/5
Family-friendly splash area perfect for younger kids.
Hours: 10am-6pm (summer)
Thundering Surf
Beach Haven • Independent
3.5/5
LBI water park with slides and mini golf combo option.
Hours: 10am-5pm (summer)
Best Water Park by Age
Toddlers (2-4)
Splash Zone at Jenkinson's
Dedicated splash pads and shallow pools designed for little ones.
Kids (5-10)
Ocean Oasis (Morey's)
Good mix of kid-friendly slides and splash areas with some thrill.
Tweens (11-14)
Raging Waters (Morey's)
Best variety of slides from moderate to thrilling.
Teens & Adults
Raging Waters / Breakwater Beach
Biggest slides and most thrilling attractions.
Slide Thrill Levels
Not all slides are created equal. Here's what to expect at each thrill level.
Mild
Gentle slides, lazy rivers, wave pools. Perfect for beginners and relaxation.
Best for: Young kids, nervous first-timers, anyone wanting to chill
Moderate
Fun without terror. Speed builds but no crazy drops or darkness.
Best for: Most families, tweens, adults who want fun without fear
Thrilling
Fast drops, dark tunnels, spinning. Heart-racing but manageable.
Best for: Teens, thrill-seekers, anyone who likes roller coasters
Extreme
Near-vertical drops, high speed, intense G-forces. Not for the faint-hearted.
Best for: Adrenaline junkies only. Often have height/weight requirements.
Height Requirements
Height requirements vary by park. Check before promising kids specific slides.
- • Kiddie areas: Under 48" (some require adult)
- • Most slides: 42-48" minimum
- • Thrill slides: 48-52" minimum
- • Extreme slides: 52"+ and sometimes weight limits
Water Park Survival Guide
Water parks are exhausting. Here's how to stay comfortable all day.
Waterproof Sunscreen
Regular sunscreen washes off in minutes. Get SPF 50+ sport/waterproof formula.
💡 Reapply every 2 hours AND after every slide session.
Water Shoes
Hot pavement burns feet. Slides can scrape. Water shoes prevent both.
💡 Get ones that stay on during slides - some parks require shoe removal.
Rash Guard
Slides cause friction burns on bare skin. Cover = comfort.
💡 Also provides sun protection. Dark colors show wet less.
Waterproof Phone Case
Phones + water = disaster. Dry bags aren't enough on slides.
💡 Test case in sink before trip. Take photos through the case.
Cash
Lockers, snacks, and some rentals are cash-only or cash-faster.
💡 Bring $40-60 in small bills. Keep in waterproof case.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Dehydration sneaks up on you - you're wet so you don't feel hot.
- •Drink water every 30 minutes even if not thirsty
- •Avoid alcohol until evening - accelerates dehydration
- •Eat salty snacks to replace lost electrolytes
- •Signs of dehydration: headache, dizziness, dark urine
👥 Beat the Crowds
- →Use single-rider lines when available - often 50% faster
- →Identify "sleeper" slides - less famous attractions have no lines
- →Wave pools empty during meal times - go then
- →Don't fight for front spots - the back of the wave pool is more fun anyway
Money-Saving Strategies
Water parks are expensive. Here's how to maximize value without breaking the bank.
Twilight Admission
30-40% offMost parks offer reduced rates after 3-4pm. Still get 3-4 hours of fun.
Best for: Afternoon people, those staying nearby, budget-conscious families
Combo Passes
20-30% vs separate ticketsMorey's combo includes both water parks + amusement rides. Use over multiple days.
Best for: Multi-day visitors, families who want variety
Season Passes
Pays for itself in 3-4 visitsIf you live nearby or visit multiple times, season passes are no-brainer.
Best for: Locals, shore house renters, frequent visitors
Bring Your Own
$30-50 per familyPack cooler for lunch in the car. Leave, eat, return (with hand stamp).
Best for: Families on a budget. Most parks don't allow outside food inside.
Skip Cabanas
$100-200Bring your own shade tent or umbrella. Claim a spot early. Same result.
Best for: Budget-conscious visitors willing to carry gear
Hidden Costs to Expect
Lockers: $10-15/day
Alternative: Bring a waterproof fanny pack
Cabanas: $100-200/day
Alternative: Bring shade tent + chairs
Food: $15-20/person
Alternative: Hand stamp + eat outside
Parking: $10-20
Alternative: Some parks validate with admission
Quick Tips
Buy Combo Passes
Morey's combo passes cover both water parks and amusement rides - better value.
Go on Weekdays
Weekend crowds at water parks are intense. Tuesday-Thursday is best.
Arrive Early
Gates open at 10am. First 1-2 hours have shortest lines.
Twilight Savings
Most parks offer discounted rates after 3-4pm.
Rent Cabanas
Cabanas provide shade, storage, and a home base. Book ahead on weekends.
Waterproof Sunscreen
Regular sunscreen washes off. Get SPF 50+ waterproof and reapply.
Morey's Piers: Two Water Parks in One
Wildwood's Morey's Piers operates two water parks: Raging Waters (thrill slides and wave pool) and Ocean Oasis (family-friendly with Flow Rider). Combo passes give access to both water parks plus all three amusement piers. Add in Wildwood's FREE beaches and you have the ultimate shore day.
Wildwood GuideWater Park Tips & Deals
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