Get ready for the wildest water park day in Riviera Beach, Florida! Rapids Water Park has some of the most intense water rides on the Atlantic shores and is the largest water park in southern Florida. Rated among the top 15 things to do in the West Palm Beach area, this park is perfect for a splashtastic getaway!
Let’s dive into some details to help you plan your day! We’ll cover everything from admissions to rides, to dining, and make sure you’re not left feeling high and dry. However, being left in the dark… no promises on that one. (If you choose to brave the Black Thunder ride, that is!)
Rapids Water Park Rides – Totally Outrageous!
Rapids Water Park makes beating the Florida heat so much fun! With nearly two dozen water rides and attractions, there’s never a shortage of spills and thrills. While many of the water rides are fast-paced and furious (truly living up to the “rapids” name), there are also a few relaxing attractions and play areas that are great for younger or thrill-hesitant guests.
We’ll rank the rides by intensity, sorting them into three categories: White Water Rapids (very intense), Ocean Waves (moderately thrilling), and Trickling Stream (you could take a nap).
White Water Rapids
The majority of Rapids Water Park’s rides fall into this most intense category, which makes sense given the park’s name! Some are single-rider attractions you have to brave alone, while others are built for multi-rider mayhem – it’s always better to scream with a friend!
Single Rider Attractions
Take a spin on Baby Blue and plummet down a dark chute and straight into a bowl! There, you’ll spin (and spin, and spin) at high speeds before dropping into the water below! If that’s too dizzying, take a vertical plunge down the Brain Drain instead! This 70-foot free fall will have you reaching speeds of nearly 35 miles per hour. It’s a bit like the waterslide version of Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror!
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Pirates Plunge is similar in style, as the slide entails a 7-story drop as its grand finale; however, this enclosed tube ride also includes lots of twists and turns before you get there! If you enjoy those dips and curves, then you’ll definitely want to take a turn on Body Blasters, a 1,000-foot flume full of super-fast slipping and sliding!
If you’re all about balance, try tackling FlowRider, Rapid Water Park’s ocean wave simulator! This ingenious attraction generates a constant wave, giving you the perfect chance to show off your surfing skills. However, if you’re after some real bragging rights, hop on Rapids Racer! This wild ride has six lanes – while you’re technically riding alone, you’re also competing with friends to see who’s the fastest! This high-speed slide has you going down head-first, so it isn’t for the faint of heart.
Multi-Rider Attractions
If you prefer to have a fellow rider by your side – strength in numbers! – then you’ll enjoy Big Red, which is the two-person version of Baby Blue, dropping you and your companion down a chute and into a big bowl. (Big Red can also be ridden as a single rider, if you so choose.) Unlike Baby Blue, Big Red utilizes an inflatable tube for the ride experience.
Speaking of inflatables, hop onto a multi-person raft and steer through the sharp turns and dark corners of Big Thunder! You’ll find yourself flung into a funnel where you’ll have a heart-pounding zero-G experience! You can also grab your group and go brave Black Thunder, which drops in you into a pitch-black vortex funnel. (These rides are supposed to be fun, right?!)
Of course, it wouldn’t be “Rapids Water Park” without a Raging Rapids ride! Hang on to your multi-person raft as you go for a loop through an enclosed flume, then dive into a breathtaking drop that makes a big splash!
Ocean Waves
Although Rapids Water Park specializes in thrills, they have good “middle ground” rides that get your blood pumping without inflicting an actual heart attack. A particular family favorite is Riptide Raftin, a four-person raft ride that includes twists and turns, being tossed around by rapids, and two amazing waterfalls. Splash Hill provides six (fairly tame) waterslides that are fun for all ages, while the Big Surf wave pool provides six-foot waves! Ahh, just the right amount of exhilaration.
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Trickling Stream
For the youngest guests at Rapids Water Park, there are two fun water playgrounds (Barefootin’ Bay and Splish Splash Lagoon) with small slides, fountains, tipping buckets, and floating swamp animals.
And, for people all ages, there’s also our personal favorite attraction: The Lazy River! Snag a pool noodle and let the gentle current take you on a trip to paradise.
Rapids Water Park Food
Like many water parks, Rapids Water Park has a no-outside-food policy. (Although there is a covered picnic area just outside of the park’s gates where you are allowed to have your own food and drink.)
There is food available for purchase within the park, including a full-service snack bar. Big Surf Cafe serves up hotdogs, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salads, wraps, pizza, and soft drinks. Frozen treats like slushies, snow cones, Dippin’ Dots, and ice cream can be found throughout the park, and guests who are 21 and older can purchase libations like margaritas at Pelican Pete’s or the High Tide Tiki Bar.
Rapids Water Park Admissions
Rapids Water Park hours vary from day to day, but they usually open around 10:00 a.m. and close between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. It’s always a good idea to check their online calendar before you go!
Rapids Water Park tickets can be purchased online via their website. You can choose from a weekday ticket or a weekend ticket, or if you’re really serious, you can opt for a season pass. Weekday tickets are the cheapest at $49.99 per person, with weekend prices coming in at $59.99 per person (as of writing).
While admissions is a little pricey, this water park is definitely one of the absolute best in the area! It’s an awesome choice for a summer splurge day when you and the kiddos just need to get out and make a splash.
Have you been to Rapids Water Park? What was your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to take your sunscreen!
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Greetings, water park enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of water parks and amusem*nt attractions, let me assure you that I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the subject at hand. Having explored numerous water parks and thrill rides across the globe, I can confidently guide you through the exhilarating experience that awaits at Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach, Florida.
Now, let's delve into the details of this aquatic haven. Rapids Water Park is not just any water park; it's a colossal playground of aquatic excitement, earning its reputation as the largest water park in southern Florida. Situated in Riviera Beach, it stands out as a must-visit destination, rated among the top 15 things to do in the West Palm Beach area. As we embark on this journey, I'll provide insights into every facet of your potential adventure.
The heart of any water park lies in its rides, and Rapids Water Park doesn't disappoint. Boasting nearly two dozen water rides and attractions, this park offers an adrenaline-pumping array of experiences. The rides are categorized into three intensity levels: White Water Rapids (for the thrill-seekers), Ocean Waves (moderate thrills), and Trickling Stream (perfect for a leisurely experience).
Let's start with the White Water Rapids, the epitome of intense water adventures. From single-rider attractions like Baby Blue and Brain Drain to the multi-rider mayhem of Pirates Plunge and Body Blasters, each promises an exhilarating descent into aquatic excitement. The ingenious FlowRider, an ocean wave simulator, and the competitive Rapids Racer with its six lanes add a unique twist to the white-knuckle fun.
For those who prefer companionship on their aquatic escapades, Big Red offers a tandem experience down a thrilling chute. Additionally, the multi-person rafts of Big Thunder and the mysterious darkness of Black Thunder provide group thrills and heart-pounding moments.
Moving on to the Ocean Waves category, Rapids Water Park strikes a balance between thrills and family-friendly fun. Riptide Raftin and Splash Hill cater to a wide audience with twists, turns, and waterfalls. The Big Surf wave pool, with its six-foot waves, adds just the right amount of exhilaration for a memorable experience.
Lastly, for the Trickling Stream, the youngest visitors are not left out. Barefootin' Bay and Splish Splash Lagoon offer water playgrounds with small slides, fountains, and floating swamp animals. And for all ages, there's the beloved Lazy River, where a gentle current takes you on a relaxing journey through paradise.
To fuel your aquatic adventures, Rapids Water Park provides a range of dining options. With a no-outside-food policy, you can indulge in hotdogs, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salads, wraps, pizza, and frozen treats within the park. Adults can even enjoy libations like margaritas at Pelican Pete's or the High Tide Tiki Bar.
Now, let's address the practicalities. Rapids Water Park operates with varying hours, typically opening around 10:00 a.m. and closing between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. It's advisable to check the online calendar for specific timings. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online, offering options for weekdays, weekends, or even season passes. While admission might seem a bit steep, the experience promises to be worth every penny.
So, if you're seeking the ultimate water park adventure on the Atlantic shores, look no further than Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach, Florida. It's a splashtastic getaway that guarantees an unforgettable day of spills, thrills, and aquatic delights. Get ready to make a splash and leave the ordinary behind!
