Adventure Island

Experience a thrilling combination of gravity, water and state-of-the art rides and slides at this water park for all ages.

Adventure Island is 30 acres (12 hectares) of water-based fun with more than a dozen slides, rides and pools. Plunge into splash pools at speed, tear along flumes and twist through back-to-back curves and hairpin turns.

Prepare for the slide of your life on Adventure Island Tampa Bay’s epic drop slide, Vanish Point. Inspired by the point on a wave where water and gravity form a perfect partnership, the crest of this 70-foot (21-meter) tower challenges you with two 425-foot (130-meter) wave paths. Step into one of two skyboxes and face your fears as the floor disappears beneath you.

One of the biggest splashes comes courtesy of Riptide, Florida’s first four-lane mat ride. It pits you in a race against three other riders, sending you twisting down tubes from a height of approximately 55 feet (17 meters).

True to its name, Colossal Curl delivers a heart-pumping, action-packed adventure, making it the ultimate family thrill slide.

Take a break from Adventure Island’s thrill rides with a relaxing voyage down the Rambling Bayou. Lie back on an inflatable tube and let the gentle current weave you through a tropical rain forest environment.

Younger children will love Fabian’s Funport, a scaled-down attraction that includes a wave pool, jumping water jets, bubbly springs and a water-based jungle gym. There’s also a 9,000-square-foot (836-square-meter) Paradise Lagoon with waterfalls, jumping platforms and a hand-rope walk above the water.

At Splash Attack there are more than 50 water play toys, a 40-foot (12-meter) high water tower and twisting open flumes.

Out of the water, there are plenty of shaded picnic spots and places to sunbathe. A handful of tropical-themed eateries serve snacks, ice creams and drinks.

Adventure Island is a seasonal park, operating between March and October. Before planning your visit, check the official website for opening times. The attraction is approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of Tampa, and is right across the street from Busch Gardens. Parking is available for a fee in the lot outside the main entrance.