The Best Water Parks to Cool Off Near St. Petersburg FL

by VGD Marketing LLC May 13, 2022

Are you planning on visiting St Petersburg? St Pete is well known for its fishing scene and you should definitely go on a fishing charter while in Florida! That said, there are plenty of other cool things to do in Florida.

Looking for a fun day trip idea? Why not visit one of the many water parks near St. Petersburg, Florida! There is something for everyone at these water parks, from thrilling water slides to relaxing lazy rivers. Plus, what could be more exciting than spending a hot Florida day enjoying some water park fun?

In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to plan a water park adventure in or near St. Petersburg, Florida!

Waterparks near the St Petersburg, Florida

These great waterparks near St. Petersburg, Florida are perfect for a hot day. With plenty of water slides, pools, and other activities, these parks will keep the whole family entertained.

Splash Harbour Water Park, Indian Rocks Beach

A tiny water park hidden off Indian Rocks Beach is one of the best secret gems in Tampa Bay during the summer. Splash Harbour water park is a great place to cool off with the kids.

The water park has three slides, a lazy river, and several water features for small children. The slides are all body slides, so no raft is needed. You must be 42 inches tall to ride the slides.

There are also two pools, one for lap swimming and the other for lounging. The water in both pools is kept at a cool 82 degrees.

Splash Harbour is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children ages three to 12. Seniors 55 and older get in for $12 as well. Children two and younger are free. You can also buy a season pass for $85 per person. Check out the ticket pricing here!

Nearby are jet skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving, as well as mountain biking and hiking. You can find the following activities in this aquatic oasis:

The Smuggler's Run: Grab a tube and prepare for an exciting journey. The Twist and Turn Slide, which is 42 feet tall, includes twists, turns, and a thrilling bowl element.
Pirate's Plunge: This body slide is also 42 feet tall and takes you on a journey through dark tunnels before dropping you into a refreshing pool.
The Cannonball Slide: This open-air tube slide is 38 feet tall, and it sends riders on a twisting journey before they splash down into the pool. This single rider body slide is a thrilling experience!
Great White Lazy River: This relaxing lazy river is the perfect place to float and take in the Florida sun.
Treasure Cove Splash Zone: This children's water playground is designed for kids ages two to five. It includes water spraying devices, a water bucket that dumps on unsuspecting guests, and gentle water slides.
Shipwreck Island: This play area includes four slides, two of which are open-air tube slides. There is also a junior size heated pool, water cannons, and spray features.
Blue Lagoon: This refreshing pool is the perfect place to take a break from the sun and enjoy the Florida weather.

Highland Recreation Complex

The Highland Family Aquatic Center is a 40,000 square-foot state-of-the-art recreation center and zero depth pool with the highest slide in Pinellas County.

The PlayWorld Indoor Active Entertainment Area, an Indoor Active Gaming Room, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the Highland Family Aquatic Center are all part of this complex. It has something for every age - even a dog park for your Fido!

The Highland Family Aquatic Center features a 75-meter activity and multipurpose pool with private and open session rentals by reservation, as well as special needs/ADA accommodations. The main pool has a water basketball court, water volleyball nets, two diving boards, and water toys.

Treasure Island Waterslide

A tiny strip of land located between St. Petersburg and the Gulf of Mexico is lined with some of the finest beaches in Florida. This region, known as Treasure Island Water Park, has become a worldwide family vacation spot. Treasure Island is about a 45-minute drive from Tampa.

Every family has plenty of room to construct a sandcastle with as many turrets as they want, since there are three miles of lovely white sand, even on the busiest days. Parasailing, personal watercraft rentals, dolphin watching, and fishing excursions are just a few of the additional popular beach activities accessible. Also, a 1-mile stretch of beach is well paved; it's great for walking, jogging, and rollerblading.

A boat rental is one of the most exciting methods to see the area surrounding Treasure Island. On a hot, sunny day, go sailing on the ocean and take in the breathtaking coastal vistas before heading out to see the attractions at nearby places, such as the Dali Museum and the St. Pete Pier. The park also has a short path that travels through dunes and offers visitors a calm retreat.

Adventure Island

Water temperatures at all times of the year are perfect at this Tampa resort! The lazy river and various water attractions provide great relaxation opportunities. The Adventure Island water park has a number of slides, such as a six-story Colossal Curl.

Begin your water journey at Adventure Island with the Rambling Bayou, a relaxing river where you can float and relax. Then trek over to the waterfalls, water slides, and other interactive features of the Splash Pad. Race down a river, dig your toes in the sand, or rest all day in a secluded cabana.

The tube rides and mid-range waterslides, such as the Calypso Coaster, Runaway Rapids, and Wahoo Run, are perfect for guests looking for a little more excitement. The 17,000-square-foot wave pool is always buzzing with activity. Every five minutes, a rolling surf with waves awaits you!

The cliff jumps offer the most daring adrenaline junkies the chance to plunge into 9,000 square feet of turquoise water. All non-swimmers and weak swimmers should wear life vests!

Kiwanis Sprayground

The Kiwanis Sprayground is a spray playground for kids that comes with several water elements to keep them cool during the summer.

The colorful, action-packed features spray, gush, dump, and pour water from a range of amusing gadgets in the 3,000 square foot water playground. The water is treated and recirculated, so it's always clean and safe for kids to play in.

The Sprayground is a play area featuring six spray-tanks connected through tunnels, which kids can maneuver through on inflatable slides and inner tubes.

The Sprayground is accessible for individuals with disabilities, has a non-slip floor, no standing water, and a fully automatic spray and streaming water system. The deck is shaded on all four sides with shade structures and spectator seats. There's also a lightning detection system with automatic water shutdown and security cameras.

The sprayground's centerpiece is a pirate ship slide that leads to the tumble buckets, which circle above and around the flower water showers.

Tampa Waterworks Park

Googling "free water parks near me"? Look no farther than Tampa's free Water Works Park, when you are visiting the city seeking for family-friendly and budget-friendly activities, to have a blast in the water. Tampa's downtown area, which was already a popular family destination, was revitalized with an attraction to entice local companies and tourism.

Water Works Park in Tampa is a five-acre family park with plenty to do on a day out with the kids. There are so many options to select from, and the city of Tampa offers new activities on a regular basis!

There are plenty of trees for shade, as well as a lovely scenery and stunning city views. Ulele - a Native-American restaurant in the water park - is definitely worth a try.

The amphitheater offers a breathtaking view of downtown Tampa's skyline behind the stage, as well as art exhibits and food festivals. There are beautiful nature walks and a dog park for your four-legged family members, as well as a formal rose garden.

The Water Ways Park has several amenities for children, including a large kids' area with water guns and a splash pad with a huge water bucket tipping over every few minutes. There's also a water playground for tots with small slides and water features, as well as a dry play area. The Water Works playground features rope climbing that resembles a ship's rigging, as well as other entertaining activities for the youngsters to enjoy!

There are picnic tables, shelters, and restrooms available, as well as kayak and paddleboard ramp rentals to bring your own or rent one, a water taxi to take you on a tour of the Hillsborough River, and plenty of green space to have a picnic.

Water Works Park is a popular site for special events, and an ever-changing list of activities is being planned. A variety of free, family-friendly movies on the lawn at sunset, a Friday night concert series with seats for everyone, a 5K charity run, and a Saturday morning farmers' market are just a few of the events!

Walter Fuller Recreation Center

The Walter Fuller Recreation Center includes a swimming pool, picnic pavilions, baseball and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, a community pool with a surrounding nature trail, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

A 1.5-acre dog park is also available at this location. This park has a doggie water station, the ability to be without a leash, and large grassy areas for your furry friend to run around.

The recreation center has a full-size gymnasium, an aerobics room, an indoor walking/jogging track, and locker rooms with showers. The fairgrounds includes a softball complex with four baseball and soccer fields.

Tarpon Spring Splash Park

Tarpon Springs Splash Park is a popular water play location for families. This free water feature is a fantastic way to cool off on those hot days for youngsters aged 2 to 12 and burn off even more energy.

There are plenty of slides, water attractions, and swimming lanes for the kids to enjoy. The water is crystal clear, and the slides are top notch quality. Why not turn it into a full day out and enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables the park provides?

There's also a pavilion with a splash park - a great place for a birthday party, group event or family reunion. It's just a few minutes from the city of Tarpon Springs, where you'll find a plethora of great Greek cuisine.

Water Park Tips

Bring your youngsters or grandkids to these water parks, but don't forget some waterpark safety tips:

Before you go to the water, buy a waterproof plastic container (necklace or bracelet) at the souvenir shop to keep your phones safe.
In case someone gets lost or your group breaks up, designate a meeting place.
Wear sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it frequently during the day, whether it's hazy or bright.
Bring your own drinks and eats if you wish, as most water parks allow coolers (no glass or alcohol allowed). To discover what park rules you'll need to follow, call or check their websites before visiting.
Keep a plastic bag handy with some clothes in it.
Bring live vests for small children.

While Florida is well-known for its beaches and all natural springs near st petersburg fl, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the state's warm weather and natural beauty. Water parks offer a fun-filled day for the whole family!

Check out those other cool things to do around St Petersburg, Florida!

Read our blog for more useful tips!