Water attractions combine the thrill of speed, height, and sheer power of water to create experiences that are both exhilarating and terrifying.
These attractions offer adventure seekers a unique way to push the limits of fear and excitement. If you’re looking for your next adrenaline rush, look no further.
Insano – Fortaleza, Brazil
“Hurtling down Insano is like free-falling from a multi-storey building at heart-racing velocities, a truly terrifying yet exhilarating experience.” Towering at an astonishing height of 135 feet (41 meters), Insano is one of the tallest water slides in the world.
The near-vertical drop sends riders plummeting down at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), delivering an unparalleled rush of fear and excitement that leaves even the most seasoned thrill-seekers breathless.
Devil’s Pool – Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
This natural infinity pool, formed by thousands of years of erosion, sits on the edge of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Swimmers can look over the 355-foot drop (108 meters), with only a rock lip preventing them from going over.
The experience of inching ever closer to the precipice, with over 500 million cubic meters of water plummeting over the edge per minute during peak flow season, delivers an unparalleled adrenaline rush. Swims only occur when water levels are deemed safe, typically between mid-August and mid-January. A South African tour guide fell to his death in 2009 close to the Zambian riverbank.
Leap of Faith – Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
This jaw-dropping waterslide plunges a heart-stopping 60 feet, nearly straight down, from the top of a replica Mayan temple. Thrill seekers are sent hurtling through a clear acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon.
It’s all about the blend of extreme height, speed, and the primal fear of toothy predators lurking just inches away. Riders can reach up to 35 miles per hour in seconds, with the sheer vertical drop adding an extra layer of exhilaration and horror.
Jumeirah Sceirah – Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai, UAE
Standing at a towering 32 meters (about 105 feet), the Jumeirah Sceirah is one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall slides. The chilling adventure begins as you step into a capsule at the top of the slide.
With your heart racing, you’ll face a countdown that builds anticipation to a fever pitch. Suddenly, the floor beneath you vanishes, plunging you into a near-vertical descent at speeds reaching a breathtaking 80 km/h (approximately 50 mph). The sheer velocity and the feeling of weightlessness are enough to leave anyone breathless.
Summit Plummet – Blizzard Beach, Florida, USA
This jaw-dropping attraction shoots you down a near-vertical drop from a staggering height of 120 feet! Imagine free-falling at up to 60 miles per hour—it’s like taking the plunge from a 12-story building. No wonder this water slide is renowned for leaving riders both exhilarated and terrified.
The slide’s open-air design gives the illusion of flying through the air before you splash into the pool below, amplifying the adrenaline rush. Lifeguards are stationed at the start and end of the slide, and height and weight restrictions are strictly enforced.
Ready to make your first budget?
Enter your email and get the free template
King Cobra – Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, New Jersey, USA
This ride opened in 2012, features a jaw-dropping 60-foot drop at a heart-pounding 32 miles per hour. It simulates the sensation of being prey for a massive, slithering snake. The visually arresting snake-themed design with menacing red eyes adds to the fear factor, making it a standout for thrill seekers.
The ride’s unique tandem tube format lets you race a friend down steep drops and around sharp turns—often experiencing gravitational forces up to 3.5 Gs! The ride’s crowning moment is a sudden 50-degree angle plunge into the snake’s open jaws, leaving riders screaming in terror and delight.
The Scorpion’s Tail – Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Wisconsin, USA
Standing ten stories high, The Scorpion’s Tail features a nearly vertical launch into a mind-boggling 400-foot-long loop. The ride features a 55-foot drop through a trap-door hatch, followed by an ultra-steep incline down the slide, reaching up to 40 mph speeds.
This attraction is one of the first gravity-defying loop slides in the world, setting a new precedent in water ride design and pushing the boundaries of thrills and chills.
Kilimanjaro – Aldeia das Águas Park Resort, Brazil
Towering at an astounding 163 ft 0.07 in (49.9 meters), Kilimanjaro is officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest water slide on the planet. Its sheer drop sends riders plummeting almost vertically down its near-90-degree slope. Riders can reach up to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour).
How I make $11,000 per year renting out my spare rooms?
Get access to my FREE guide now.
For the best experience, plan your visit during the Brazilian summer months (December to March). Weekdays are typically less crowded, offering shorter wait times and more opportunities to enjoy the park’s many attractions.
AquaLoop – Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast, Australia
This heart-pounding attraction drops riders from a staggering height of 10 meters, launching them into a near-vertical loop that clocks speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. Riders experience up to 2.5 Gs of force as they navigate the loop, making it one of the most intense water slides in the world.
Consider visiting during the Australian summer months – December to February – when the park is buzzing with activity and the weather is balmy.
Brain Wash – Wet’n’Wild Orlando, Florida, USA
This iconic water attraction stands out as one of the most terrifying experiences due to its mixture of height and speed and the disorienting light and sound effects that accompany the ride.
Riders plunge from a 53-foot height into a massive 65-foot domed funnel, where they experience near-vertical drops and rapid side-to-side spins at speeds up to 35 mph. Consider planning your visit during the shoulder seasons—late spring (April to June) or early fall (September to November).
Tantrum Alley – Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai, UAE
The drop begins with a high-speed descent down two downhill waterslides, immediately followed by three tornadoes into which riders are launched, experiencing moments of weightlessness and disorientation before being spat out into the pool below.
The ride reaches up to 50 km/h (31 mph). To ensure rider safety, strict height (minimum of 1.1 meters) and weight (maximum combined weight of 495 kg) restrictions exist. The waterpark is open year-round, but visiting during the cooler months from October to April can make the experience even more enjoyable.
VertiGO – Aqualandia, Spain
This water slide boasts an incredible height of 110 feet (34 meters), placing it among the tallest free-fall slides in Europe. At the top of the slide, riders are greeted with a breathtaking view of the park and the Mediterranean Sea before plummeting to 62 mph (100 km/h) in mere seconds.
Consider visiting in the early summer months of June and July, when the weather is warm but the peak tourist season has yet to kick in fully.
“Watch Your Wallet” 10 Tourist Traps Everyone Inevitably Experiences
Every city has its charms and traps when it comes to traveling. However, some cities are more known for their tourist traps than others. In a popular thread on a social media platform, travelers were asked which cities they believed to be the biggest tourist traps. Here are the top 10 cities that made the list.
15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
Embarking on a journey to explore the World’s most beautiful beaches is akin to opening a book filled with tales of nature’s grandeur, radiant sunshine, azure waters, and the soothing rhythm of waves. These beaches, scattered across the globe, promise authentic experiences that evoke a sense of awe at the sheer beauty of our planet. 15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!
Do you dream of owning a beachfront property? Of hearing the waves lap against your shoreline and feeling the sand between your toes while you drink in the salty sea air? Well, you’re not alone! Many people have made their beachfront dreams a reality by buying their perfect waterfront home. Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!
How I make $11,000 per year renting out my spare rooms?
Get access to my FREE guide now.