Visiting Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark with younger children

Visiting With Kids Under 7

Splashdown Quaywest is now closed for 2024 - we reopen in the Spring 2025 - thank you for coming to all our many visitors this year, we do appreciate your visit.

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Visiting With Under 7s

We want you to have the best time that you can with your kids when visiting Splashdown Quaywest. We also understand it can be stressful visiting somewhere new with your little ones.

We also know we’re not the cheapest day out either, but we do want everyone to leave with many happy memories.

Lots of change has been happening here at Goodrington, please take the time to read this section thoroughly if you are visiting with younger children to help you have a safe, fun and memorable day for all the right reasons.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to get in contact on 01803 555550 or send us a Facebook Message

The main waterpark and Shipwreck Island are manned by trained staff and lifeguards, who should all be able to assist you if you have any questions or help if you run into any difficulties.

Main Waterpark - Over 1m tall

Users of the main waterpark should be at least 1m tall to ride the flumes and also confident around water, though not necessarily strong swimmers; armbands may be worn on all but three of the waterslides. Children who need armbands should not ride the Wild Kamakaze, The Screamer, 3Fall and the Devil’s Drop.

There will be big, brave 4-year-olds who are just fine and 7-year-olds who aren’t really sure.

Just because they are tall enough, they won’t all be bold enough, nobody knows your child better than you – the more adventurous types will love the thrill of the flumes, but some can be worried. Usually around age six the tall enough and brave enough come together and they will have the time of their lives. Remember for health and safety reasons there is NO lap riding and all our slides are single rides. Be sure to follow the slide instructions, ALL are feet first, absolutely NO head first sliding with the exception of 3Fall, which is specifically designed to be a head first mat ride.

Younger ones will feel more confident with someone that they know going ahead and in behind them, so do try to bring two adults or at least an older more independent child in your party. If that's not possible as a single adult accompanying a smaller child, our recommendation would be to descend the slide ahead of your child, ensuring that they do not follow immediately, following the life guards instruction. Wait for them near, but not immediately in front of, the mouth exit of the slide, standing too close could mean that they exit on top of you, which can be dangerous. This may be further back than you think due to the force at which they can exit some slides. ”

You may want to build your confidence before heading for the likes of the Devil's Drop or Wild Kamakaze - they're not for the faint hearted! We would recommend trying Wet and Wild or one of our tyre waterslides first. Or to work up to the bigger slides by trying out Shipwreck Island first. The waterpark experience can be a little daunting for younger children, especially when busy. The water is only max 1.2m deep so most should be able to stand, but there are lifeguard positions throughout the park, if assistance is required. All our staff are uniformed, so make sure they know to speak to a person in uniform if you become separated, or perhaps agree to a designated meeting point such as the changing rooms, it can happen and is best to be prepared.

BUT NOW WE HAVE SHIPWRECK ISLAND TOO !!

Shipwreck Island - Under 12's and accompanying adults

Brand NEW for 2024! A haven of fun for under 12's and their accompanying adults.

What types of slides are in Shipwreck Island?

They are all single rider body slides, no mats or rings are permitted. All are tame

What facilities are nearby if we wish to bring a spectator?

Shipwreck Island is surrounded by brand new seating and sunbathing terraces. There is a new kiosk next to the main entrance serving hot food and drinks and it is only a short walk away from our toilets, showers, changing rooms and Shipwreck Store where a variety of cold snacks and drinks and merchandise can be purchased. All located on the same level.

Can armbands be worn?

Yes, if a child is not confident in the water then armbands are the best option, we do not allow wrap around chest floats. Armbands cannot be worn on some of the slides in the main waterpark, see above.

Can aqua shoes be worn on Shipwreck Island?

No sorry, they can't be worn on Shipwreck Island.

What tickets do I need to purchase?

Children under 5 have tickets available which include an adult as they require 1:1 supervision.

5-8 year olds have a reduced admission price as, from experience they are too young for the main waterpark. Although if tall enough, are welcome to use. Provided that they have an adult with them (full priced ticket required for the adult).

The standard admission price is for anyone aged 9+ and is priced to enable them to use both Shipwreck Island and the main waterpark. Although, please remember that Shipwreck Island is for children aged 12 and under along with their accompanying adults.

How many children can I directly supervise and do I have to be in the water with them?

Please see the adult to child ratios for the whole site below:

The minimum age that a child can go into the mawaterpark unaccompanied is 12 years old. You should be aware that it is possible to exit our facilities and get straight onto the beach; you must satisfy yourselves that your children are old enough to be responsible and understand where they should be. We cannot take any responsibility for unsupervised young people.

As long as there is an adult (18+) on the waterpark premises who is directly responsible for them, children of that party aged 9-11 may use the slides at the waterpark as long as they accompanied by at least one other slider aged 9 or above around the waterpark.

Children Under 9 must be supervised everywhere in the waterpark/Shipwreck Island including on the slides by an adult (18+) as the supervising adult you should not be directly supervising more than two children 5-8 at one time.

Children Under 5 must be supervised on a 1:1 basis everywhere at all times including in the water.

Is Shipwreck Island lifeguarded?

Yes, we have multiple trained and qualified members of staff based across the aquaplay arena.

We know it can get busy during the holiday seasons and especially so on sunny days and some children (and adults!), can find this a bit overwhelming. You may find a visit just as we open or later in the afternoon a better bet for those for whom a visit to the waterpark is a new experience. Peak visit times are between 11am and 3pm. Got it wrong? If after 15 minutes, it’s not working out do go and speak to a duty manager to explain - we do try to be sympathetic with regards to refunds where the park is just not working out for you. However, do not leave it too long to ask.