The 8 Best Florida Water Parks To Visit For Family-Friendly Fun

Dive into water-filled adventures on your next trip to the Sunshine State.

<p>Courtesy The Grove Resort & Water Park</p>

Courtesy The Grove Resort & Water Park

With a nickname like the Sunshine State, Florida promises fun in the sun from coast to coast with its miles of beaches, world-class theme parks, and raw natural beauty. When you’re here on vacation, why not stretch your sunny playtime further by staying at a resort with a water park right on property? At these Florida water park resorts, you can dive into water-filled adventures, from thrilling slides and lazy rivers to splash zones and wave pools. Some properties sport additional kid-friendly amenities, from basketball courts and dive-in movies to swan boat rides and surf simulators. Whether you're seeking family-friendly activities or serene adult tranquility, Florida's diverse water park resorts ensure a memorable and refreshing escape.

Here are the 8 best Florida water parks to visit for a fun adventure.

Related: The 14 Most Beautiful Places In Florida, According To A Native Floridian

Treasure Cove Water Park

<p>Courtesy Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa</p>

Courtesy Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa

Orlando

Get ready for family-friendly fun at Treasure Cove Water Park, Orlando’s newest water park located in Westgate Lakes Resort. Find your aqua bliss in the epic 41,000-gallon, 258-foot wave pool, allowing you to bob in wave after wave. Dual 30-foot water slides, with amazing views of Big Sand Lake at the top, provide high speed twists and drops for thrill-seekers. Little Parrots Splash Zone offers younger kids the chance to explore three pint-size slides and an aquatic jungle gym.

Take a leisurely float along the 575-foot Castaway Creek Lazy River. Hungry? Grab lunch at Buccaneer Galley Snack Bar. Want a bite to eat and a cocktail? Head to Rikki Tiki Tavern. When you’re ready to relax, unwind on the expansive sun deck dotted with 600 lounge chairs, deck seating, and tables.

westgateresorts.com; 9500 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819

Tidal Cove Waterpark

<p>Courtesy JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa / Brustman Carrino PR</p>

Courtesy JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa / Brustman Carrino PR

Aventura

Midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Aventura is home to Tidal Cove Waterpark. Though it’s a wonderful perk for guests staying at the iconic Turnberry Resort, it’s also open to the public. Boasting a 60-foot tower with seven water slides, a 4,000-square-foot zero-entry kids pool with an aquatic play structure, 25 private cabanas and an additional VIP Oasis Pool, Tidal Cove delivers water fun for all ages. Kids Cove—tailored for little ones—offers water-themed play, activities, board games, crafts, and even an ice cream-shaped tipping bucket!

Older kids and young-at-heart adults can get their adrenaline rush at the nation’s first-ever FlowRider Triple surf simulation pool.

marriott.com/tidal-cove-water-park; 19999 W Country Club Dr, Aventura, FL 33180

Harborside Pool Club

<p>Courtesy The Boca Raton</p>

Courtesy The Boca Raton

Boca Raton

Nestled in the heart of The Boca Raton resort in South Florida, Harborside Pool Club delivers plenty of thrills and chills for both kids and adults. This four-acre lakefront oasis pops with kid-pleasing activities, starting with the interactive Splash Pad for younger kids to explore. Thrill-seekers can plunge down two heart-racing, five-story water slides that twist and turn along the way. Perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers, FlowRider offers a safe, controlled setting to ride the waves under the watchful eye of lifeguards who provide personalized instruction.

Parents looking for a little TLC can retreat to a private cabana with butler service. Go with the flow as you meander along the 450-foot lazy river surrounded by lush foliage and tropical palms. With five hotels sprinkled throughout 200 waterfront acres, The Boca Raton provides the ultimate family escape.

thebocaraton.com; 900 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Flamingo Waterpark Resort

<p>Courtesy Flamingo Waterpark Resort</p>

Courtesy Flamingo Waterpark Resort

Kissimmee

As a family-friendly property, Flamingo Waterpark Resort sits near the area’s beloved theme parks, delivering a fun-filled day when you don’t feel like leaving the resort. With more than 120,000 gallons of water-packed play, Flamingo sports a 30–foot water slide tower. Choose your thrill level from either 18- and 30-feet heights, featuring three body slides delivering over 20 drops, turns, and twists as you plunge to the bottom.

In the 2,137-square-foot Play Zone, kids can have fun in the heated waters, play in interactive rainfalls, and cool down in the play structure, thanks to jets shooting water overhead. Littlest guests will enjoy the Tot Spot with pelican and frog slides and a zero-depth wet deck. Float along the 630-foot lazy river, dodging the waterfall as you pass under the bridge. 

flamingowaterpark.com; 2261 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Shipwreck Island Water Park

<p>Courtesy Westgate Vacation Villas Resort</p>

Courtesy Westgate Vacation Villas Resort

Kissimmee

Pirate lovers should head to Shipwreck Island Water Park for a fun day splashing around this two-level fun factory within Westgate Vacation Villas. Anchored at the center of Shipwreck Island on the upper level, Black Beard's Pirate Ship sports waterslides, fountains, water cannons, and a tipping water bucket. Race your friends to the bottom of Cannon Ball Falls, the dual enclosed tube slides that starts their journey on the upper level. Hop in a tube and wind your way along the lazy river for a relaxing ride around the upper deck.

You can walk the plank at the Pirate's Plunge Drop Slide where you’ll shoot down a transparent, fully enclosed slide. The lower level boasts Paradise Cove, featuring a pint-size water playground with fountains, wading pools, and water slides. When you’re ready to take a break, you’ll find plenty of seating on the sun deck and shaded lounge. You can even keep your cool near the water park’s palm trees equipped with jetted fountains.

westgateresorts.com; 7700 Westgate Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747

The Grove Resort & Water Park

<p>Courtesy The Grove Resort & Water Park</p>

Courtesy The Grove Resort & Water Park

Winter Garden

Families will love staying at The Grove Resort & Water Park. While this kid-friendly property sits just six miles from Walt Disney World, the amenities-packed property serves as a destination in its own right. Its main attraction—Surfari Water Park—bursts with aqua-fun for kids of all ages. The expansive children’s activity pool features dual slides and a 695-foot lazy river with please-squirt-me water cannons sprinkled throughout the journey.

The FlowRider double surf simulator offers thrill-seekers the chance to show off their surfing skills or learn how to ride the waves like a pro. The zero-entry pool and lift make water-filled fun accessible to everyone, while the private cabana rentals and dining options deliver poolside convenience. The water park is free for all guests staying at the resort, which features spacious two- and three-bedroom suites, fully equipped kitchens, full-size washers and dryers, multiple bathrooms, and screened in balconies.

Other kid-friendly experiences include The Springs pools, Flip Flop's Family Fun Center, and Lake Austin—perfect for fishing from the pier, taking a swan boat ride, kayaking, or enjoying a pontoon boat tour.

groveresortorlando.com; 14501 Grove Resort Ave, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Explorer Island at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

<p>Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Orlando</p>

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Lake Buena Vista

At this lush AAA Five Diamond resort, Explorer Island, tucked into the luxe Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World boasts a five-acre water park designed for family fun. The 7590-square-foot Explorer Pool, surrounded by roomy cabanas and chaise lounges, invites splash-worthy fun in the sun. The kid-friendly area features a meandering lazy river, multiple water slides, interactive fountains, splash zones, and pools for kid-size fun and adults-only tranquility.

The basketball court and multi-use turf sport court invites kids to get active before cooling off in the pool. The complimentary Kids For All Seasons program offers supervised swim time and fun activities on Explorer Island, allowing parents a respite. The luxe resort sits just two miles away from Disney theme parks, offering spectacular views of nighttime fireworks from the rooftop restaurant.

fourseasons.com/orlando; 10100 Dream Tree Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836

Explore Orlando

Encore Resort Water Park

<p>Courtesy Encore Resort</p>

Courtesy Encore Resort

Reunion

Close to Orlando theme parks, the Encore Resort Water Park boasts 10 acres of wet-and-wild family fun, including an expansive pool and shaded cabanas. Designed for younger guests, the Surfing Safari Kids’ Splash Area sports four tot-size slides, water fountains, bridges, and water cannons. Older kids can take the plunge on three water slides, including Stormchaser (with a 60-foot-vertical drop), Waveracer (perfect for racing friends to the bottom), and Tsunami (a dark tube slide).

encorereunion.com; 7635 Fairfax Dr, Reunion, FL 34747

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.