A New Kind of Water Park

When most of us hear the words “water park,” the image of kids jumping in wave pools and gliding down gigantic slides in tubes comes to mind, but you won’t find that at Waterbom in Bali. As Bali is the Indonesian hot spot for wanderlust travelers and all things Zen, the newly renovated waterpark plays on that same theme, taking it to the extreme for luxury leisure travelers and families.

More like a grown-up lifestyle park than a water park, the family-friendly destination boasts a complete departure from your classic theme park destination. Guests expect healthy cuisine, spa treatments and innovative, eco-friendly, wellness attractions.

Breaking the mold back in 1993, Waterbom is an award-winning park featuring private spaces to unwind, fine dining, water rides, a relaxing beach club and spas — all in an elevated, family-fun setting. In addition to the visitor benefits of the park, Waterbom reached carbon neutral status (or net-zero carbon footprint) in 2017, also named a Leading Water Park in Asia by the World Travel Awards — not the first award for the park and, presumably, not the last.

As if the locale didn’t have a great enough reputation, they updated with a sophisticated revamp. Resembling more of a Bali beach club than theme park, guests of all ages find areas catering to children, adults and everyone in between. Slide down the 85-foot-high Smash Down 2.0, complete with a trapdoor and thrilling speeds, or relax in a private gazebo with a wellness treatment.

Waterbom, Bali © Skyrialbali | Dreamstime.com

Little ones head to the Funtastic water-world area, playing with water cannons, water-dump buckets and wheels. Kids can hang out in a supervised pool, or stick to non-water activities like the tropical gardens. Get the whole gang together and hop on the Lazy River, or divide and conquer before meeting up for innovative cuisine, including Tiki rum cocktails for adults.

Water park junkies and thrill-seekers, enjoy the impressive lineup of exhilarating rides, while the more R&R-focused guests plan a spa day and relax in a private cabana — ideal for groups of 6–12 and a great space to catch up after a day at the park.

While the expansive park is literally filled with chic and sophisticated family fun, it’s also 50 percent covered in lush, protected green gardens. The tranquil-meets-thrilling escape meets the needs of a wide variety of travelers, specifically families.

Tickets are available for single-day access, two-day access and a one-day pass including lunch, $21.50–31.30. Single-day access with express admission costs around $50 per guest.