Thinking about cooling off at a water park this weekend? From massive outdoor splash zones near the Jersey Shore to indoor attractions where it feels like summer year-round, South Jersey is packed with water parks perfect for family fun. Whether your kids love gentle toddler play areas, winding lazy rivers, exciting wave pools, or towering water slides, there’s something for every age (and plenty of fun for adults, too!) Keep reading for some of the best South Jersey water parks to visit with the whole family, and more parks for when you want to ride up the Parkway. And don’t forget to check out our guide for things to do in New Jersey, too. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Waterparks in South Jersey

Clementon Park & Splash World 
This water park meets any family’s need for adventure and classic wet-and-wild thrills. Kids can explore Shipwreck Bay and Laguna Kahuna, get the blood pumping on Torpedo Rush and Sky River Rapids, or cool down on the Lazy River and Big Wave Bay. When you are ready to grab a towel, head to Clementon Park to experience kid-friendly rides, including the Vintage Carousel, Railway, and Giant Ferris Wheel.
144 Berlin Road, Clementon, NJ 08021

Diggerland – The Water Main 
Kids will love playing on the construction-themed splash pads, shooting hoops at the in-pool basketball area, going on water slides, doing a swim vortex, and so much more. Experience an underwater obstacle course at Rip Rap Run, the splash playground Jackhammer Bay, or take an exciting ride down The Pipeline. And don’t miss their wave pool with waves up to 4 feet high and 52-foot slide towers with three unique slides. Keep an eye out for summer mermaid visits for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities.
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091

Island Waterpark 
The largest indoor/outdoor beachfront water park in the United States is open at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. Island Waterpark has everything from waterslides and lazy rivers to restaurants, pools, and even outlet shops. How many water parks in NJ can you say will feature a 100,000-square-foot retractable glass-pane roof, making it a year-round, family-friendly spot? With 11 slides, a 10,300-square-foot splash pad, and a surf simulator pool, there’s no shortage of fun. There’s even an adult-only zone that serves up island-themed cocktails at a swim-up bar.
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

OC Waterpark 
OC Waterpark is one of New Jersey’s beloved beachside water parks on the Ocean City boardwalk. In addition to the popular spiraling, plunging, and speeding water slides, there’s a water playground where little ones can explore the pirate ship, climb the lighthouse, and play under raining palm trees. Older kids will love Adventure Peak, a 35-foot climbing wall with five challenges at the top. This water park also offers multiple slides for all ages, a mini-golf course, a lazy river, and many toddler-friendly areas.
728 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08826

Ocean Oasis Water Park & Beach Club at Morey’s Piers
Located at the end of Surfside Pier at Morey’s Piers, Ocean Oasis is filled with buckets of fun. Drop five stories in three seconds on the Cliff Dive. Race five friends in WipeOut!, a six-lane slope slide with 12,000 gallons of water circulating through it daily. If you are kid-free, hit the Water Lilies Swim Up Bar, or take the littles to The Activity Pool, The Puddle, or the action-packed Bonsai Beach. Cabana and locker rentals are also available.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260

Raging Waters Water Park at Morey’s Piers 
This South Jersey water haven has been a favorite family-fun destination for decades, as no two visits to this water park ever seem the same. You’ll find speed slides, river adventures, an interactive pirate ship, forts, body slides, fountain pools, rope swings, and family activity pools. Because Raging Waters’ layout is a dynamic, multi-level design, kids feel like they’re playing in a tropical paradise. The giant lazy river twists and turns throughout the entire pier, allowing for fun views of every ride and activity from the comfort of your inner tube.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260

Sahara Sam’s
With its tropical theme and indoor and outdoor parks, Sahara Sam’s is a “must” for families year-round. This impressive space feels like an underwater fantasyland, with the winding Tiki Tides lazy river wrapping around activities such as the Little Lizard Landing adventure playland, Komodo Crossing obstacle course, Aqua Arena water basketball court, and The Flow Rider, an indoor surfing simulator. Sahara Sam’s has plenty of outdoor fun too—the Tidal Waves wave pool, Hibiscus Bay, and Little Kahuna Lagoon are just some fun-in-the-sun activities—and you’ll find amenities for a full-day stay like VIP Cabanas, an island-themed cafe, and an arcade.
535 North Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091

The Splashplex- Mount Laurel 
Like the one in East Hanover, this water park has varying levels of slides, an activity pool, a cafe, bowling, amusement rides, and a picnic pavilion next to its indoor amusement park. Recently, five new slides have been added, doubling the size of this water park in South Jersey.
3320 NJ-38, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054

Thundering Surf
Celebrating over 45 years of creating family memories, Thundering Surf features multiple slides, a lazy river, a crazy river, a surfing simulator, and areas for younger kids, including an interactive splash park. Families can float down the river with water activities, experience tube water slides, or sunbathe on the family sundeck. You can also rent one of the cabanas to create a space for your family to set up camp, with lounge chairs, deck chairs, tables, a complimentary locker, and complimentary water bottles. 
Bay & Taylor Avenues, Long Beach Island, NJ 08008

Waterparks in New Jersey When You Want To Take A Ride

American Dream DreamWorks Water Park
Located inside American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ, this is the largest indoor water park in North America, and being inside means it’s on, whether rainy or chilly. Head to the slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools—and when your kids have had their fill (or their skin starts to wrinkle), you can hit the restaurants, mini-golf courses, aquarium, and an indoor skiing slope (because this being American Dream, you can ski in even 100-degree heat). Staying a while? The DreamWorks Water Park also offers poolside cabanas for guests to kick off their shoes and get comfortable, as well as Sky Box Suites, which feature luxury amenities such as designer décor, a flat-screen television, a private changing room, and beverage service.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark 
Located in the heart of Seaside Heights Boardwalk, this water park puts you smack in the action with gorgeous ocean views. Check out the large and small slides, wave pool, and Interactive Play Area with multiple levels of watery fun, including the 500-gallon Nantucket Bucket, which can dump water on you at any time. The Revolutionary Wild River is not your ordinary “lazy” river—it’s filled with water cannons, fountains, and bubbles ready to burst when you least expect it. This water park also offers plenty of lockers to keep your belongings safe, private cabanas, changing rooms, a shower area, and concession stands for a treat. Try the newer Boston Sea Party with two separate flumes, the “Lexington” and the “Concord,” and when you dry off, head over to the dry rides at Casino Pier.
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Crystal Springs Family Waterpark
This public park feels like an amusement park attraction, with a recreational pool, lap pool, spray park, kiddie pool, activity pool, family pool, lazy river, and water slides. You can make a day of it, since a family-friendly concession stand sells food and pool accessories, including sunscreen, goggles, and more. While you won’t find a lot of chairs, there are grills and picnic tables, and you can always bring your own beach chairs to lounge.  
380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags
For the latest water park technology and fun, take a ride to Jackson and visit Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great Adventure. Caribbean Cove is an adventure oasis with multiple water features and slides. Climb seven stories and jump into the Tornado, a water ride unlike any other (with a “maximum” Six Flags thrill rating). Hurricane Harbor also has family rides, like The Big Bambu and Reef Runner, where you all pile onto a raft and then brace for the six-foot plunge. Other rides include The Winds with Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus, and Nortus—all four high-speed tube slides for maximum thrills. When you’re ready to mellow out, hang out at The Blue Lagoon wave pool. Look out for Splash Island with a treehouse play structure, 14 slides for kids, rental cabanas, more shade, and lots of dining options.
1 Six Flags Boulevard at Route 537, Jackson, NJ 08527

Land of Make Believe & Pirates’ Cove
A visit to Pirate’s Cove is the perfect way to cool off during a trip to the Land of Make Believe family amusement park. Children will love the life-size Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, where they can find the waterslides on board or explore Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort before getting dumped with a giant 1,000-gallon bucket. Littles will enjoy splashing around at the Pirates’ Cove Wading Pool, America’s largest wading pool. And together, families can have a river tubing experience down Blackbeard’s Action River Ride. But don’t think Pirate’s Cove is all tame—the Sidewinder features an unbelievably steep four-story drop and is the only slide of its kind in the tri-state area.
354 Great Meadows Road (Route 611), Hope, NJ 07844

Mountain Creek Water Park
One of New Jersey’s most coveted destinations for active families, Mountain Creek uses its location to its advantage, making it an excellent vertical park full of exciting features. The Zero-G enclosed waterslide stands 100 feet tall and sends guests plummeting through a trap door and completing two full loops before splashing down at the bottom. Go white water rafting on the Colorado River Rapids—an adventurous ride through the natural Mountain Creek environment. This water park is all about action and adventure, but there are also plenty of options for kids not ready for big thrills, including the Sprayground, Fishing Village, and the Lost Island River. When you need a break, there are poolside snack bars, cabanas (fitting up to 8 guests), lockers to keep valuables safe, and a nearby hotel.
200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462

Runaway Rapids at Keansburg Amusement Park 
Located on the Boardwalk of Keansburg’s Amusement Park, Runaway Rapids is made for family fun. Kids can explore interactive play areas while encountering numerous fun water features. Get showered by the Water Mushroom, swing high from a rope before plunging into a pool with Nestea Plunge, or test your coordination on the Moon Walk. Runaway Rapids has plenty of other watery attractions, from their Lazy River to their Tipping Bucket & Bridge to many more laid-back swim areas like the Toddler’s Reef. They have multiple in-park snack bars, lockers, changing rooms, and picnic pavilions, and they offer a group-rate food package if you’re bringing the whole family along. Don’t want to get wet? They also offer a Dry Spectator Ticket option.
275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734

The Splashplex-East Hanover 
An extension of the Funplex, the action turns wet outside during the summer at their water park. Thrill-seekers can plunge down speedy waterslides, enclosed tube slides, open tube slides, and body slides. While the kids take water fun to the next level, parents can hang out at the cabanas for a resort-like experience. When your crew is ready to take it down a notch, the whole family can relax together while floating down the lazy river or swimming in the infinity pool. 
182 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Tomahawk Lake Water Park 
Tomahawk Lake Water Park is within a 20-acre lake and is celebrating its 73rd year. Take the Crazy Horse Run, Apache Plunge, or the serpentine body slide known as the Sitting Bull. Or plunge down the Geronimo coaster ride, or on a single or double tube on the Black Snake. After an afternoon of waterpark fun, check out the 18-hole golf course, volleyball area, and old-fashioned picnic area with more than 800 tables.
155 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta Township, NJ 07871