Use this guide to Adventure Island Tampa Bay to plan the perfect trip to this exciting theme park.
Adventure Island opens for the season on March 8, 2024, with weekends and some weekdays available. Daily operations start April 1, 2024 with hours typically 10-5 each day. Be sure to check the calendar for water park hours.
Remember that Florida residents ages 3-5 can register for a free Preschool Card that gives unlimited admission all year.
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Adventure Island is a fantastic waterpark located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. If you’re looking for a great way to beat the Florida heat with its many water slides, Adventure Island is the answer.
For adventure seekers, the park offers rides like the Colossal Curl, where passengers in 4-person rafts ride through a completely enclosed slide before dropping into a halfpipe.
Younger children will love Paradise Lagoon and the lazy river. Use this guide to Adventure Island to plan your perfect water escape!
Adventure Island Basics
Address: 10001 McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
Hours: 10 am – 6pm (changes depending on season)
Cost: Single day tickets – $47.99 and up
Busch Gardens + Adventure Island Fun Card + 2 Meal Dining Pass – $138.99
Getting to Adventure Island Tampa Bay
Adventure Island is about an hour from Orlando, Florida. It’s incredibly easy to add this park to any Central Florida Trip. The closest airport is Tampa (TPA) which is only 8 miles from Busch Gardens, and Orlando (ORD) is only about an hour from the park.
There is public transportation available, including a bus that will take you from the airport to the park. You can use the Netpark Transfer Center, the ride takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes and costs $4.00.
If you decide to rent a car then you will also have to pay for parking, but it also affords you more freedom while in the area.
If you are staying at a hotel near the park, ask about shuttle service to and from. Many of the hotels offer a free ride since they know so many are there to attend the park. It’s usually free, but it’s nice for you to tip the driver.
Ticket options
There are several options for tickets at Adventure Island. Tickets are now date-specific so make sure to pay attention to the date when purchasing tickets. A single day Adventure Island ticket is $48.99. Children under 3 are not required to have a ticket. For just $25 more, add an All Day Dining Deal to your single day ticket, making each $73.99.
The All Day Dining Deal is good for the entire day until 30 minutes before the park closes. A photo ID is required when redeeming All Day Dining Deals and only the person listed on the pass can redeem.
The best deal is the 2-Park Fun Card that includes both Adventure Island and Busch Gardens, good through December 31, 2024, with a few blockout dates. The Fun Card is on sale for $138.99.
You can purchase tickets in advance here. And remember to register for a free Preschool Pass for kids ages 3-5.
Parking at Adventure Island
General Parking for cars, motorcycles, trucks, recreation vehicles and campers is $30. Parking is free for Silver, Gold and Platinum Annual Pass Members.
Adventure Island Weather-or-Not Assurance Policy
If your day in the park is ruined by the following conditions, you are eligible for a complimentary visit to the park. The complimentary visit must be made within 1 year of your original visit.
- Inclement weather causes early closure or negatively impacts the park’s operating hours.
- Rides are closed for over 60 minutes due to lightning, strong winds, heat, rain or snow.
- If park temperatures reach a heat index of 110 degrees or above.
You can redeem this by visiting Guest Services, but be aware that enactment of the rain guarantee is at the discretion of Guest Services.
Rules at Adventure Island
Each slide has individual clothing restrictions. You can review them here.
- You must wear proper swimming attire. Restrictions including thong bathing suits are not allowed in the park. Cutoff jeans, denim of any kind, cargo shorts and frayed shorts are not permitted.
- Cotton T-shirts, shorts, and water shoes may not be worn on any of the body slides. Clothing with metal buttons, clips, and trim are also prohibited. Water shoes are permitted in pool areas, pathways and all tube based attractions.
- You cannot bring personal lounge chairs into the park.
- Guests must wear face coverings indoors. These face coverings must fit within the CDC guidelines.
- Alcoholic beverages can be purchased by any guests over 21 years of age. Each guest must present a valid form of photo ID in order to purchase alcohol inside the park.
- There are designated smoking areas throughout the park, but all indoor areas remain smoke free.
- You are not permitted to bring outside beverages, food or coolers into the park. You may bring an empty refillable water bottle. No coolers of any shape or size are permitted in the park.
Upgrades at Adventure Island
Cabana rental
There are many options for cabana rentals at Adventure Island. These include both luxury and more affordable lounge chair options that are perfect for any budget. Check out the options.
Quick Queue Passes
There are two different kinds of Quick Queue passes available at Adventure Island.
Quick Queue Unlimited gives you priority access to the most popular water slides as often as you would like to ride them in one day.
Quick Queue gives one-time access to the most popular water slides in the park. You can enjoy one time, front of the line access to Aruba Tuba, Calypso Coaster, Riptide, Colossal Coaster and Solar Vortex.
New for 2024 at Adventure Island
Shaka Laka Shores
This area has 25 play elements and a central kid-friendly play structure bound to entertain and engage even the youngest of guests. The newest addition also includes a variety of interactive aquatic components.
Castaway Falls
Scheduled to open in Spring 2024, Colossal Falls will have multiple levels and more than 100 distinct play elements. Perfect for all ages!
Water slides at Adventure Island
Rapids Racer
The world’s first dueling saucers arrived at Adventure Island in Spring 2022. These high speed tunnels of twists and turns are sure to have your heart pounding.
Wahoo Remix
This water slide is filled with thrilling sights and sounds. The Wahoo Remix features a synchronized light show with sound elements. Your family will love this exhilarating and high energy ride.
Colossal Curl
Touted as one of Florida’s favorite water slides, this thrilling slide isn’t for the faint of heart. Complete with waterfalls and corkscrews, you’ll feel weightless as you’re hurled through the air. The height requirement for Colossal Curl is 48 inches.
Solar Vortex
The Solar Vortex was America’s first dual tailspin slide. It’s one of the most popular water slides in the park! This family raft ride is full of thrills, you embark on a swirling journey through open tailspins. A cool feature of the Solar Vortex is that it uses solar energy to make the colorful patterns that appear throughout the slide. Height requirement for Solar Vortex is 42 inches.
Vanish Point
The epic free fall of 70 feet makes Vanish Point a thrill you won’t soon forget! As the floor drops out from under you, make sure to smile for the camera. The height requirement for Vanish Point is 48 inches and water shoes are strictly prohibited.
Aruba Tuba
Whether you ride solo or with a partner, this ride is for the bravest of thrill seekers. As a completely dark ride, you’ll rush through total darkness before landing in a splash pool at the end. The height requirement for Aruba Tuba is 42 inches.
Calypso Coaster
Perfect for the whole family, this open flume ride is full of soaking wet fun! You can ride solo or with a partner, but whatever you do hang on tight. There are tons of surprises along the way on this family fun ride. The height requirement for the Calypso Coaster is 42 inches.
Riptide
Race your friends or family on this head first, four lane water slide. If you’re competitive then Riptide is right up your alley, as you compete against 3 other riders. All 4 competitors are released simultaneously from 55 feet above to race through twists and turns. The height requirement for Riptide is 42 inches.
Pools and lazy rivers at Adventure Island
Endless Surf
In this 17,000 sq ft pool you can enjoy the rolling surf with waves every 5 minutes. It is highly recommended that weak and non-swimmers wear life vests for their own safety.
Rambling Bayou
The Rambling Bayou is a half mile lazy river that transports you through lush landscapes and beautiful waterfalls. If you are looking for complete relaxation, the Rambling Bayou lazy river is the perfect spot for you. Riders under 42 inches must wear life vests.
Paradise Lagoon
The Paradise Lagoon is perfect for those looking for fun in the sun. Whether you take part in a fun net climb or cliff jump into the 9,000 sq ft pool waiting below, this pool is a ton of fun! Weak and non-swimmers are encouraged to wear life vests.
A day spent at Adventure Island won’t be one that you forget! Whether you ride thrilling water slides or have a relaxing day in the lazy river, you’ll love Adventure Island.
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