What better way to kick in the holidays with your kids than to check out the best water parks in Johannesburg? Here’s the truth: Jozi has many awesome things, such as a great restaurant scene, nightlife, and urban culture, but it lacks a beach.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy slashing and wadding in the open, like in the Cape. Interestingly, Johannesburg has one of the best water parks in South Africa – it compensates for the lack of a huge, fun water body with its selection of world-class water arcades.
If you’ve been looking for fun things to do with your kids during the holidays or over the weekends – the following is a list of the best water parks in Johannesburg for the best family outing.
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Gold Reef City Theme Park
Let’s be honest. If you have a young one or are a guardian to a child, you understand how these tiny humans love to live in their imagination. Gold Reef City Theme Park is the closest thing to a child’s reality but in real life.
There are a ton of activities your child can do here—a rush of sensation and adrenaline and a fun way to spend the day with children their age from all over Johannesburg.
They don’t call it Africa’s coolest Theme Park for no reason—Gold Reef City Theme Park has 16 thrilling rides, seven family rides, and 21 rides dedicated to children (isn’t that awesome?).
Your children can enjoy the 50-meter tower of terror with twists and turns through the waterfalls. They can also check out the Wave Pool or relax on the Lazy River.
PS: You don’t need to get tickets online; you’ll still need to queue to get into the premises.
Water Activities for Kids include a lazy River, Wave Pool, Tower of Terror, Anaconda Rolla Coaster, and Plunge Tunnels.
Ticket Cost: General Admission, R265 (Children under three enter for free).
Operating Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Monday – Wednesday (Closed).
Location: Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg, 2159, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 11 248 5000; Email: info@goldreefcity.co.za.
Mzansi Happy Island Theme Park
Mzansi Happy Island Theme Park is considered one of the best water parks in Johannesburg due to its amazing list of water activities for visitors. It also features some of the best park slides and rides in Jo’burg, earning a top spot in our list.
Your kids will enjoy all the slides here—they’ve been designed for fun and relaxation. They’ll work out their tiny muscles, have a lot of laughs, and form bonds with like-minded agemates.
Besides the water activities, Mzansi Happy Island Theme Park has many green spaces. Therefore, if you don’t want to join your family for the fun, you can chill and enjoy the calm green spaces and nature.
PS: Overall, it’s a great place. The Wave generator is known to take a little more time. Still, it’s worth it every time it comes crashing down.
Water Activities for Kids: Wave Pool, Pirate Boat Sail, Tsunami, Master Blaster, Super Tubes, Gravity Loop, and more.
The Ticket Cost: R250 for general Admission (Single Entry All-Access) and R200 for children (Single Entry all–access).
Operating Hours: Friday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Monday – Thursday (Closed).
Location: 106 Lake View Dr, Muldersdrift, Krugersdorp, 2000, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 10 600 3333; Email: info@mzansithemepark.co.za.
Crystal Sun Water Park
Crystal Sun Water Park is an amazing water park in Johannesburg. It features water parks and activities for all ages, so families can have fun together splashing water, plunging in the pool, or going down the slides. It’s one of the best ways to spend time with family.
Most people in Johannesburg come to Crystal Sun Water Park—the pools are quite big and feature slides. You can also come to picnic on the grounds and watch your children play. Best of all, the management allows visitors to come to the premises with their food and drinks if they don’t wish to buy from the cafe.
PS: Remember to bring your swimming suit. Crystal Sun Water Park doesn’t sell swimming gear on the premises.
Water Activities for Kids: Water Slides, Jump Zone, Picnic, Kids Play Area, and Braai.
Ticket Cost: Adults (13 years and older)—R120, Peak (16th, 25th December and 1st January)—R150; Children (3 years to 12 years)—R100, Peak—R120; Children Under 3 Years—Free.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Location: 120 Longmore Rd, Pretoria, Akasia, 0010, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 61 432 4710; Email: bookings@crystalsun.co.za.
Kids World & Waterpark
Kids World & Waterpark is one of the best water parks in Johannesburg. It features a ton of water slides, inflatable tubes, and a waterpark for kids of all ages. Don’t worry if you are an adult—there are several activities for adults and families, too.
Kids World & Waterpark is great for kids’ events, including birthdays and kiddie graduation parties. After they’ve had enough to eat, your kids have all the freedom and facilities to calm down their sugar rush.
You’ll also appreciate the welcoming and cheerful staff at Kids World & Waterpark. If you have any problems finding activities or places to have fun, they will assist you without hesitation.
PS: Don’t forget to carry a pair of sandals. The washrooms are a bit far from the pool, and on hot summer days, the tar can be a little overbearing for your kids.
Water Activities for Kids: Swimming Pool, Water Park, and Water Slides.
Ticket Cost: Children – R90; Adults – R60 (Cost includes all rides).
Operating Hours: Open on Saturday and Sunday Only, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.
Location: 1 Rifle Range Road, Nasrec Rd, Cnr, Johannesburg South, 2013, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 66 053 5425.
Pines Resort
Pines Resort has made a 360-degree turn with many fun water events for children. This theme park is one of the best water parks in Johannesburg, offering fun and water entertainment for adults and children in Jozi.
The resort has recently made some improvements to its infrastructure, which currently includes a brand-new splash pad and a sparkling pool (almost complete at the time of publishing this list).
Pines Resort also has a well-equipped facility complete with guides and lifeguards to watch your young ones while they have fun at the water park. You can also come here and enjoy the picnic and Braai even though there are limited spaces—if you check in late, you might not find a spot.
PS: The premises strictly prohibit food and alcoholic drinks from outside. Also, drinking is not allowed in the parking area (for obvious reasons).
Water Activities for Kids: Swimming Pools, Water Slides, and Water Park.
Ticket Cost: Children (8 years and above): R160 (all major slides, pool, picnic, and braai); 3 Years to 7 years: R100 (kiddie slides only and pool); 1 year to 2 years: R50 (kiddie slides and pools); 0 Years to 1 year: FREE.
Operating Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday Only, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Location: 2 Ivan Smuts Ave, Silverfields, Krugersdorp, 1739, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 11 955 3845; Email: info@pinesresort.co.za.