The 6 best waterparks in and around Cape Town

Set on a farm just outside Stellenbosch, Wiesenhof Adventure Park is a full-blown day out where water slides are only part of the fun. You’ll find multiple swimming pools and a clutch of slides that range from the tame to the scream-inducing. The tube rides down the huge slide are enormous fun, but there are also easy options for younger kids. Teens and tweens will love it here though, and will happily spend all day running up the tower to the top. When everyone needs a break from the water, there is a big trampoline park, a pump track with bikes and scooters, shaded braai spots and wide lawns to throw a frisbee. It is busy, boisterous and made for full-day family missions.

Opening hours

Generally 9am–6pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and Western Cape school holidays. Check current times before you go.  

Rates

Water park day pass: from R170 (under 1.2m) to R240 (over 1.2m).

For all-access passes (water park, trampoline park and pump track) add R85 per person. Late day pass (after 2.30pm) offer substantial discounts.

Have you even been to Muizenberg if you didn’t brave the big blue slide backwards? I don’t think so! Muizenberg’s beachfront slides are a proper old-school summer classic, little changed in years and yet the locals can’t stay away. Muizenberg Water Slides is a compact beachfront park packs in three slides: a gentle baby slide, a high-speed straight-shooter (keep your feet together, IYKYK) and the big blue tube of dreams. Just listen to the lifeguards and get out of the splash pool quickly, if you don’t want the whistle aimed at you. The facilities are pretty basic, but there’s shaded seating and a small tuckshop for ice cream and hot dogs. Pair a few hours here with a stroll along the raised promenade or a round of putt-putt next door. It’s what summer holiday memories are made of. 

Opening hours
Western Cape school holidays: Mon–Sun 9.30am–5.30pm.

Term time: Tue–Fri 1.30pm–5.30pm (closed Mon).
Weekends & public holidays: 9.30am–5.30pm.

Rates
R100 (1-hour pass) to R160 (Full-day pass). Group of 4 (full day): R560

Although you might have one of the best beaches in Cape Town right on the doorstep, it’s no surprise families love Water World Strand. On a hot summer day, this water park is the perfect place to head between sea swims. Set right on Beach Road (parking can be tricky on weekends) Water World packs a surprising number of slides into a sheltered, grassy site: from gentle midi slides and splash pools for smaller kids to faster runs for teens and brave grown-ups. Bring a picnic (food and drinks allowed, but no glass bottles) or grab burgers, toasties and soft-serve from the on-site café, and settle in for a few hours of sun, splash and shrieking. Value-for-money season passes make sense for locals.

Opening hours

September–April: 9am–6pm on weekends.

Public holidays and Western Cape school holidays: 9am–6pm daily.  

Rates

From R140 (one hour) to R260 (all day). Spectators R30-R130.

BUGZ is the Western Cape’s largest kids’ play park, and in summer the splash zones and shallow pools are a major draw. It’s on the outskirts of the northern suburbs, making it easily accessible too. Shaded by trees and sail canopies, little ones can dash between fountains, a waterslide and rowing boats, before exploring the rest of the park’s endless attractions: choo choo train, pedal karts, swing horses, zip slides, mud kitchens and more. It is squarely aimed at younger children, with plenty of grassy, shady spots for parents to park off. Note that outside food is not allowed, but there is an on-site takeaway and café.

Opening hours

Weekends, school holidays and public holidays, 10am – 4pm.

Rates

Kids 3–12 years: R190 (includes all rides, unlimited). Kids under 3: free (no rides, but access to toddler play areas and splash zone). Adults & teens 13+: R60 (includes choo choo train and swing horses). Pensioners: R45.

Equal parts wine estate and pirate playground, Benguela Cove is worth the drive for its colourful splash pad and over-the-top mini golf course on the edge of the Bot River Lagoon. Kids can dodge tipping buckets, water cannons and fountains, then towel off and tackle 18 holes of pirate-themed adventure golf. Parents get the bonus of lagoon views and a very decent glass of estate wine from the on-site tasting room or Blackbeard’s Diner afterwards. It is a full day out if you add lunch, tastings and a wander around the estate, or pop in for a morning of watery fun.

Opening hours

Friday - Sunday, 9am-8pm; daily in school holidays

Rates

R130-R190, including all-day Splash Pad and one round of Adventure Golf

This West Coast water park outside Hopefield delivers low-key splash value for day-trippers. Wacky Adventures combines three swimming pools with a clutch of slides for different ages: a high-speed Speedster slide for confident swimmers, mini slides and a dedicated toddler ‘slide zone’ with small slides and a mini super tube. Grassy lawns, braai spots and trampolines keep everyone busy between runs, while quad biking and go-karting are optional extras

Opening hours

Daily: 9am–5pm.

Rates

Day visitors (water park): R150 per person. Midweek discounts outside public and school holidays.