A 120,000-square-foot waterpark with a 6,500-square-foot lazy river, 1,000-square-foot surf simulator, pools, shopping, party rooms, lounge areas and more than a dozen waterslides is set to open Friday in Atlantic City.
The $100 million Island Waterpark at Showboat is the latest from Showboat Resort owner Bart Blatstein, and is debuting for the season. Blatstein developed the attraction together with Tower Investments.
Billed as the world’s premier beachfront indoor entertainment experience, the park will feature 11 slides, including the Electric Eel, Sonic Serpent and Barracuda Blaster tube slides, full of tight corners and banking turns; three Tidal Racers mat racer slides for head-first excitement; and five waterslides suitable for younger visitors at Slide Island.
Other features include:
- Blue Cascade Waterfall, a man-made waterfall that is one of the largest custom water forms in the world;
- 30-foot-tall Indoor Tree House that can be booked for private parties;
- Adventure Pool, where guests can play various water sports;
- A 6,500-square-foot Island Drift Lazy River that extends nearly the entire length of the waterpark; and
- Kids Cove, a play area with interactive water activities designed for younger visitors.
“Atlantic City has long been one of the most iconic destinations for entertainment geared for adults, but now the Island Waterpark at the Showboat Resort will open up a whole new world of family entertainment on the Boardwalk,” Blatstein said. “When people see this, they will be blown away; it is truly like entering a tropical paradise and the best part is that people — both kids and adults — will be able to enjoy it all year round.”
“Island Waterpark, the largest indoor beachfront waterpark, is in a class of its own,” Brandon Dixon, president of Tower Investments, said. “No matter the weather nor time of year, everyday will always be warm and sunny in the waterpark. At night, it also will be hot year round, with nightlife entertainment for adults. This opening rides on the success of the Lucky Snake Arcade and Raceway, and Showboat is so proud to continue to deliver the most dynamic and exhilarating non-gaming fun on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.”
For adults, the waterpark features a total of six bars where guests can enjoy craft beers, curated wines and signature cocktails; and Paradise Adult Island, a 10,000-square-foot space overlooking the waterpark and ocean that includes DJ entertainment and Bliss Pool, an adults-only pool facing the Atlantic Ocean with the only swim-up bar in Atlantic City.
During the day, these venues are an oasis for parents and adults to dance, escape, relax and socialize while the kids enjoy the waterpark; the adults-only area includes Peloton bikes, manicure stations, chair massages, work spaces, VIP cabanas and more. At night, Island Waterpark transforms into a nightlife venue, also for adults only — the first of its kind at any waterpark.
In addition to the water features, Island Waterpark also includes two attractions not available at any other indoor waterpark in the U.S.: a more than 1,000-foot Coconut Zero-Gravity Coaster that takes guests on a ride suspended high above the waterpark and offers spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and Boardwalk; and the 300-foot-long RipTide Zip Line.
The waterpark’s unique glass retractable roof will be open to allow ample sunshine and fresh ocean breezes during the warmer months and can be closed during inclement and colder weather, making Island Waterpark a year-round entertainment destination. The roof can also be used for projection displays, such as stars or island imagery, adding to the versatility of the waterpark’s ambience.
Summer admission rates start at $89 for daytime general admission. Twilight admission starts at $69 from 4-8 p.m. Children under 3 are admitted free. For more details on admission rates and special offers, click here.
