Is There a Water Park in Crete?

Sunshine and splash-filled fun go hand in hand on a Cretan holiday, and the island's water parks deliver exactly that. Scattered across Crete are several water parks where thrilling slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers await families, couples, and anyone young at heart. A day at a water park here means racing down twisting chutes with the Mediterranean sun on your face, floating in cool pools with mountain views in the distance, and hearing the delighted squeals of kids (and grown-ups!) echo in the warm air. Crete's water parks range from large adventure playgrounds with dozens of attractions to smaller resort-based parks, but all share a mix of adrenaline-pumping rides and relaxed leisure zones. Let's dive into what you can expect and explore the best water parks on the island – plus some tips to make a splash on your visit.

Acqua Plus

(in the Hersonissos area): Touted as the biggest water park in Crete, Acqua Plus lives up to its reputation with an enormous variety of slides and attractions. Located on a hilltop just outside Hersonissos, this park is divided into two sections – one with extreme slides for thrill-seekers and one for relaxation and kids. Daredevils can plummet down the “Kamikaze” or get flushed around the massive “Spacebowl”, and test their courage on the Giants of Terror twin slides. Acclaimed for featuring the tallest and fastest slides on the island, including a near-vertical drop that will make your heart race, Acqua Plus also offers a long Lazy River winding through lush gardens, a huge main pool, and a dedicated kids' water playground with mini slides and a mushroom fountain. One thing visitors love is the park's greenery – palm and banana trees provide natural shade between rides. Facilities are well-kept, with snack bars and a restaurant on site. Lockers and sunbeds are available for rent, and the park operates a convenient shuttle from nearby resorts; many hotels in Malia, Stalis, and Hersonissos offer transfers.

WaterCity

(Anopolis, in the Heraklion region): Just a 20-minute drive from Heraklion and a few minutes from the resort of Kokkini Hani, WaterCity is a vibrant water park themed as a colorful Greek island village – complete with white-and-blue decor and terracotta roofs. It offers 24 different water games, from high-octane slides to chill-out pools. Highlights include the Turbo Cyclone bowl slide, a multi-lane racer for competing with friends, and the winding “Crazy River”. A favourite for many is the Lazy River, where you can float in a tube through caves and under bridges for a full 10 minutes of relaxation. For families with small children, WaterCity has an extensive kids' pool area with mini slides and a shallow fun pool (kids under 90cm enter free, and there are separate zones by height for safety). What sets WaterCity apart is its attention to comfort: plenty of shaded areas, lounge chairs, and even a hydro-massage pool for adults to unwind. You'll find multiple snack bars, a swim-up bar for refreshments, and lockers. Safety is a priority – there are lifeguards everywhere and clear signage on height restrictions for the extreme slides. Thanks to its central location between Heraklion and Hersonissos, WaterCity is easily accessible, with many arriving by rental car or via the park's own shuttle service. Expect a full day of fun in a setting that's both clean and inviting.

Limnoupolis

(in the Chania region): In the western part of Crete near Chania, Limnoupolis Water Park lies in a verdant valley at the foot of the White Mountains. It's slightly smaller than the east Crete parks but still packed with attractions and has a laid-back vibe that many appreciate. The park's star is its giant twisting slides complex – from the fast Kamikaze and Free Fall slides for adrenaline junkies to a snaking tube slide that ejects you into a splash pool. Limnoupolis also features a large central swimming pool with a fake island and bridges, perfect for simply swimming or cooling off between rides. A unique draw is the “Lazy River” here, which is particularly scenic: it winds for 260 meters through landscaped gardens and even passes through a cave. The park's kids' pool offers fun mini-slides shaped like animals and a splash playground. With all the needed amenities – lockers, sunbeds, eateries – plus a section of go-karts just outside if you want to add some dry-land fun after your water adventures, Limnoupolis handles crowds well even during peak season. Surrounded by olive groves and with mountain views, it provides a beautiful setting to complement the excitement.

Star Beach Water Park

(in Hersonissos): Not a standalone park but a famous seaside water park complex and beach club, Star Beach offers a different kind of aquatic fun. This open complex is free entry – you pay per ride or activity – making it as much a beach day destination as a water park. Here you'll find multiple pools and water slides set right next to the sea. There are family-friendly waterslides, a lazy river, and a kids' splash area alongside high-thrill rides like the Bungee Jump that sends brave souls plunging toward the Aegean, a signature attraction at Star Beach. Every afternoon in summer, the park cranks up party music and even hosts daily foam parties where bubbly foam is sprayed over dancing crowds – a hit with the young and lively. Yet in the mornings, toddlers happily play on the gentle slides while families enjoy the mini water playgrounds. Star Beach also offers numerous watersports at the adjacent beach, including jet skis, parasailing, and banana boats, plus a spa pool for a relaxing bubble massage. With restaurants, bars, and even a supermarket on site, it's designed for full-day entertainment. By day it's great for families, and by late afternoon it transforms into a beach party venue. If you're staying in or near Hersonissos, Star Beach is practically on your doorstep – many local hotels (and the on-site Star Beach Village hotel) include its facilities in their offerings. It's a unique combination of beach and water park that encapsulates the fun-loving spirit of Crete's holiday towns.

Apart from these main parks, Crete has a few smaller water parks often attached to hotels or specific locales. For example, Bravo Water Park in Ammoudara (near Heraklion) is a modest facility mainly for locals and guests of nearby hotels. Some resort hotels, like Creta Maris Resort in Hersonissos or Rethymno Mare in Skaleta, boast their own on-site mini water parks for guests, complete with slides and splash pools. These can be a bonus if you're staying there, offering unlimited use without the crowds. Additionally, an exciting new trend is floating aqua parks – inflatable obstacle courses in the sea at certain beaches (you might spot one off Platanias beach near Chania or at Malia beach), which are a fun way to splash and play in the open water.

If your holiday isn't complete without a daily dose of aquatic fun, consider staying at or near accommodations that either include a water park or provide easy access. For instance, Star Beach Village & Water Park in Hersonissos is literally integrated with Star Beach – step out of your room and right into the pools and slides. It offers resort-style amenities and complimentary entrance to the park for guests, along with the lively beach club vibe. In the Heraklion area, the Creta Maris Resort features its own sizable waterpark (for guests only) with big slides and a splash tower – an ideal setup to keep kids entertained all day without having to leave the hotel.

Over in or near Rethymno, some hotels even offer on-site facilities that resemble a mini water park. If you plan to visit Acqua Plus or WaterCity multiple times, staying in the Hersonissos or Analipsi area is practical, as both parks are within a short drive. In contrast, if you're based in Chania or near Platanias, you're only about 20 minutes from Limnoupolis – making it easy to get there early and settle in for a full day of fun. A beachfront hotel in Agia Marina or near Gerani (west of Chania) could even blend a relaxing beach morning with an action-packed water park afternoon.

For families, having a hotel with its own water park or one located very near a water park can be a game-changer. Kids often make friends on the slides and beg to return for more, and knowing you can walk or take a quick bus to splash down on your favourite rides each day creates a delightful holiday routine. Crete offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and pure leisure, and its water parks – whether built into resorts or as stand-alone attractions – exemplify the island's family-friendly and enjoyable spirit. So pack your swimsuits and get ready to ride the slides under the Cretan sun!