Would you rather be a fish than eat one? Do you have mermaid dreams and a gaggle of water-babies to entertain? Maybe you just want to work on that tan during an action-packed volleyball match. Whatever your watery wishes, Adventure Island in Tampa, Florida has you covered. With fun and sun for all ages, don’t forget to bring your sister-mother-best friend-brother-cousin-father-grandpa-neighbor-uncle-grandma-aunt along for the ride!
When you step into the 30-acre water-park, the lush grounds and towering palms launch you on your Caribbean fantasy--a fantasy including wild rides, plunging falls, and rushing waves. Look to the right and you’ll see Wahoo Run. Six stories tall and boasting over 600 feet of heart-thumping twists and turns, this river-raft adventure sends you and up to four companions careening through tunnels that alternate from daylight to total darkness. Just when you least expect it, one of four waterfall curtains will surprise you with exhilarating walls of water. Prepare to get wet. Soaking wet.
After a wild ride on Wahoo Run, take a turn on the twisting-turning slides of the Aruba Tuba or hit the adrenaline-pumping Caribbean Corkscrew and its 230 feet of translucent tubing. Challenge your friends to a race on the Everglides’ side-by-side slides or brave the Gulf Scream, a 210-foot body slide designed to land its victims in a splash pool at speeds of over 25 miles an hour. Even more excitement awaits you on attractions like Key West Rapids, Runaway Rapids, Tampa Typhoon, Water Moccasin, and the Calypso Coaster.
If your preferred brand of fun involves more lounging and less heart-racing, Adventure Island has plenty of relaxing activities for you and the whole family. Float down the half-mile Rambling Bayou for a lazy ride through an eye-pleasing rain forest complete with tropical waterfalls. To catch some rays, head to one of the park’s sandy beaches and relax under the warm Florida sun. Near the beaches, the Endless Surf wavepool offers 17,000 square feet of water with waves reaching heights of up to five feet. The Splash Attack tree house has more than 50 interactive elements to play with--just beware of the 1000-gallon bucket that empties its contents on parkgoers every 40 seconds. For little ones, head to Fabian’s Funport and its pint-sized wavepool, bubbler springs, and water-gym.
At the Spike Zone, park guests can engage in a little friendly competition or enjoy front row seats for professional matches at the 11-court championship volleyball complex. Night lights, food stands, and sandy courts make both watching and playing exciting activities. The adjacent Bayou Beach Club offers snacks to help you refuel and get ready for the next adventure. For a heartier meal, head to Mango Joe’s Café for grilled fare like burgers and fajitas. The Surfside Café and Gulf Scream Soft Serve offer snacks and treats sure to cool you off on even the hottest of summer days. The Picnic Pavilion provides a spot to enjoy lunch and unwind with family and friends.
During your visit, the Island Surf Shop makes sure you're fashionably attired with cute suits, fun beach towels, and more. This is a perfect stop for those items you forgot to bring, like suntan lotion and other must-have sundries. Parents will breathe a sigh of relief at the park’s 50 certified lifeguards, and the first-aid station staffed by emergency medical technicians and a registered nurse. Lockers and changing areas make sure your stuff stays safe and dry while you get wet.
With so many activities, a day at Adventure Island is a day you’ll remember long after your Tampa vacation ends.•
