When the Atlantis Hotel extended me an invitation to review their Aquaventure water park, I said yes without hesitation. Then I remembered that I can’t swim. Oops.
You see, the story goes something like this: nearly 20 years ago, I almost drowned (coincidentally at a water park in Canada). I detailed the story of how I nearly perished here. And so it follows that for many years thereafter, I stayed away from any body of water wider and deep than my bathtub.
It wasn’t until I decided to accompany Liebling on a week-long sailing trip to Croatia that I realized that I needed to get over my fear of water. With Liebling’s encouragement, I enrolled in swim lessons in Hong Kong, where I learned a passable breast stroke, and improved my ragged, uncoordinated breathing.
But here the thing: I still can’t swim to save my life.
Which is why a visit to Atlantis’ Aquaventure water park in Dubai filled me with trepidation.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. The array of water slides are monitored by a gaggle of outgoing staff, the variety of pools are filled with water that only envelopped me up to the chest when standing.
The fact that I’m not a strong swimmer didn’t mean I couldn’t thoroughly enjoy myself. In fact, quite the contrary. I had a fabulous time.
Liebling and I floated lazily on the tubes on the river that surrounded the complex, and threw ourselves down slides that at once exhilarated and terrified me. I screamed as I hurtled down the tubes ( dubbed water coasters) with the reckless abandon of my 9-year old self, previous water park trauma completely forgotten and utterly vanquished. Yes!
After we had sufficiently exerted ourselves on the slides, it was time to hit the gorgeous man-made beach.
Was this really the desert? I felt like I was in the tropics. Love!
We ooh-ed and aah-ed at the marine life for a good hour and a half…
… and we even found Nemo!
All in all, despite my initial reservations, this was a great way to spend an afternoon. My only complaint was the weather- don’t let the pictures fool you, it was unseasonably cold for Dubai! The water in the pools at Aquaventure was unheated, which made for a bit of a shock upon first dip. That being said, I imagine that 350 days of the year, this is not an issue- this is the desert after all!
Have you ever been to a water park? Would you go?
Disclaimer: I visited Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers as a guest of Atlantis the Palm, but the opinions are my own!
Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!
83 Comments
I love water parks!! It's my most favorite thing to do. Great post – it really makes me want to experience Atlantis in Dubai. I've been to the one in Bahamas many times but Dubai *gasp*
I, too, almost drowned as a child and thus stay away from water now as well! I keep saying that I will take lessons to get over the fear, especially after seeing the beauty and fun such parks like this offer! PS: Amazing pics as always! 🙂
Ok, you just made me want to go on a beach vacation!
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This makes me want to go to Dubai ASAP!
That water park looks SO fun! I've been to one in CA, but it's nowhere near as big. I need the Leap of Faith in my life!
I used to go to soo many waterparks when I was a kid! It's been ages since I last went; it would be nice to go and walk down memory lane!
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