Here are the Best Water Play Spots in South Florida

By Alejandra Zamora

If July isn’t synonymous with lots of weekend beach trips and pool dips, we don’t know what month is! July is home to some of our hottest summer days, and with a good month still left before school is back in session, now is the best time to cool off and truly enjoy the season by heading to a waterpark or other water play zone in the area. Whether you’ve got younger children, teenagers, or just a healthy childlike ambition yourself, we’ve created this go-to list of the best water play spots in South Florida so you can live out the last of the summer days (and, let’s be honest, most days in Florida!) having fun with family and friends. 

1. Water Playground Pompano Beach

Located off of Atlantic Boulevard in the heart of Pompano Beach, this water playground overlooks the ocean, making it a great best-of-both-worlds spot where you can take your family to the beach and a water play area all in one day. Ideal for younger children, this spot includes a shaded playground and a water spout area for kids to run through and cool off. The best part about this playground is its location, as it’s just steps from restaurants like The Taco Joint and Burger Fi, and how easily it can fit into your beach day routine. 

2. Cypress Water Park at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex

Another great all-day summer spot to spend a weekend at is the Cypress Water Park in Coral Springs. The whole family can have fun at this park-- Public pools, a water playground, big water slides, and more non-water activities are all under one roof. Membership is required for entry at this park, but with family discounts and so much to do all in one place, it’s worth considering!

3. Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach

If you’re been a South Florida resident for a while now, you’ve probably heard of Rapids, one of our most well-known waterparks in the area. Its popularity is for good reason: Rapids contains 42 slides and attractions, including a wave pool, multiple high-speed slides, and a quarter mile-long lazy river. In other words, this spot is essentially an amusement park! While they do have splash areas for younger children and toddlers, this park is best for older children and thrill seekers who prefer a little more adventure to the normal water park. Daily admission prices and information on seasonal passes can be found on their website. 

4. Miami Watersports Complex in Hialeah 

Thrill-seekers in the area, this one’s for you! Miami Watersports Complex is a true water play destination, complete with an aquapark of varying levels; an area for cable sessions where you can wakeboard, kneeboard, waterski, and more; and boat rentals for tubing and more watersports! Lessons by trained staff are provided with most day pass purchases, and this location even offers summer camps for those looking to immerse themselves even more in watersport fun. Check out their website for pricing and more! 

5. Coconut Cove Water Park in Boca Raton

Located in west Boca, Coconut Cove is a classic spot that's sort of like Rapids' more quaint sibling. Two 4-story waterslides, an interactive water playground, and an enormously long lazy river are featured in this park, making it a great, more affordable spot for the whole family. Get information on admission fees and season passes on their website.

6. Ski Rixen & Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach

If you've been searching for an all-in-one water play spot where you can do a wide variety of activities, look no further. You may know Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach as the host of the Renaissance Fair and the location for multiple nature trails, but it's so much more: A water park and cable water-skiing area also call Quiet Waters home. Splash Adventure is a children's water park featuring slides, tunnels, and interactive play elements, and Ski Rixen is a thrill-seeker's paradise complete with a cable park, aquapark, and other areas where you can waterski, wakeboard, and kneeboard. This is another great summer destination that's truly for the whole family!

Whatever water play area you decide to visit the next time you’re looking to cool off and have classic summer fun with the whole family, you can’t go wrong! Take into account your budget, how much time you have, and the ages of those in your group before picking which one is right for your weekend outing. Happy swimming!