A Family Day Out at Waterbom Park: One of the Best Things to Do in Bali with Kids!

If you're planning a family holiday in Bali and seeking a fun splurge activity, Waterbom Park  should be at the top of your list! Recently, our family spent an entire day there, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Our family group ranged in age from 3 to 45, and everyone found something to enjoy - from thrilling slides to relaxing lagoons and delicious food and cocktail options.

Is Waterbom Park Worth It?

Many people wonder if Waterbom Park is worth the money, and from our experience, I would say yes, it absolutely is. We were there from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, making the ticket cost about $5 to $7 per person per hour. Fantastic value for a world-class theme park.

Top Tips for Your Visit to Waterbom:

1. Stay Close to Make the Most of Your Day:

When visiting Kuta, we stay at Truntum Hotel – we think it's one of the most underrated family-friendly hotels in the area. Clean, affordable, and just a 5-minute cab ride from Waterbom Park, it's the perfect base to maximise your time and enjoyment at the park.

You can check out independent reviews of Truntum here and here! 

2. Buy Your Tickets Online Beforehand:

It’s cheaper, and it means you won’t have to queue when you get there. Keep an eye on their website, as they often have specials. 

3. Go Midweek:

Wednesday and Thursday are Waterbom’s least crowded days, followed by Saturday and Sunday. Avoid Mondays and Fridays.

4. Get a Gazebo:

I was hesitant initially about renting a gazebo, as I didn’t think we would use it (because we’d be too busy riding the rides), but it turned out to be $50 well spent!

It provided a secure place for our belongings, eliminating the need for lockers, and served as a convenient central meeting point for our group. Note: you can see exactly which gazebo I booked further down in the blog! 

5. Take a Nanny:

Having extra help with small kids is invaluable. We use (and love) Nanny Eka. Eka can be contacted via Facebook or IG if you want to book her. Or, you can contact Eka on WhatsApp: +62 858 573 228 05

6. Save Cash By:

Bringing your own towels and water bottles! One bottle of water per person is allowed, but no other food or beverages from outside the park.

7. Utilise Free Swim Vests:

Don’t worry about bringing the kids swim vests. The park provides free ones that are super buoyant. We had no difficulty getting some for the kids even though Waterbom was at total capacity the day we went. We got ours near the kids splash zone.

8. Sun Protection Essentials:

Bring zinc - it stays on ears and noses better than sunscreen. Also, water booties that can easily be slipped on and off to save little feet from burning on the footpaths.

9. Attire:

Don’t wear shorts with metal rivets or bathers with a metal clasp at the back if you plan on riding any of the extreme slides. You’ll have to turn them inside out at the top of the slide, which can be embarrassing. Also, wear a rash vest to avoid grazes. One of our family members left with a nasty friction burn!

10. Get a Photo Band for Every Adult First Thing:

There are roaming photographers in the park who will happily take photos of your family. It costs $40 to purchase the digital photo package at the end of the day, regardless of whether you have 5 digital photos to download or 80 (so get snapping)!

We got our bands from the lazy river.

Family enjoying The Lazy River

11. Enjoy the Food:

Highly recommend trying the nachos, tacos, nasi campur, katsu curry, pizzas, or burgers for lunch. The vegetarian and gluten-free options were also delicious. We fed our group of 8 (5 adults and 3 kids) for $110, including drinks.

You can view the full food options, and menus here.

12. Relax at the Lagoon Bar:

Make time to enjoy a cocktail at the lagoon bar after tackling 'The Drop,' or alternatively, relax with a drink while thrill-seekers in your family ride 'The Drop.'

13. Consider Afternoon Visits:

If you don’t plan on spending all day there, consider going in the afternoon. Most families arrive early and leave by 2-3 pm once their kids have had enough, which means shorter ride lines between 3-6 pm!

14. Plan Your Exit Strategy:

Use the Euro Bungy to entice the kids to get out of the water when it’s almost time to leave the park. Be sure to arrive at the Euro Bungy no later than 5:00 pm though, as they start closing the queue shortly after.

If that’s not your kid’s thing, you can also get ice cream right by the exit gate.

Note: The Euro Bungy is an extra cost. It is $6 per session.

15. Pack a Bali Travel Diary & Activity Book:

They're packed with fun facts about Bali, tonnes of activities, and perfect for downtime out of the sun! Plus, you can paste your Waterbom photos in the diary when you get home and reminisce about your time at Asias Biggest Theme Park in years to come! 

Common Questions Answered:

What are Waterboms opening hours?

9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Is it worth taking a 3-year-old to Waterbom?

We had a 3-year-old in our group, and he loved it!

At 100 cm tall, he could go on a fair number of rides, although he spent most of the day in the Funtastic kids area, which has age-appropriate slides and a water playground with a tipping bucket.

The lazy river and Euro Bungy were also a hit, and since our last visit a new kids play area has also opened, so smaller kids now have even more to do! 

Would we have gone if he was the only child we were taking? No. But if you have a toddler with older siblings, there’s certainly enough for them to do there!

Do I pay for my nanny’s admission ticket?

Yes, it's expected that you pay for their entry, food, and drinks for the day. However, they will receive a local price for their entry ticket.

Will my kids get sick if they swallow the water?

No, you don't need to worry about it at Waterbom Park! While it's true you should avoid swallowing tap or shower water in Bali, the water at Waterbom is like water at any other theme park. Additionally, the ice here and at restaurants is perfectly safe as well, as it's highly regulated by the government and is safe for consumption.

What's a good water slide for kids seeking more excitement but are not quite ready for the extreme rides?

Try the Python. It has some hairy moments, but it’s not intense the whole time. I’d rate it PG.

Riding the Python

Is there a weight limit for the rides at Waterbom?

Yes, like any theme park worldwide, there are age, height, and weight restrictions. All of the info is available here. If you want to discreetly check your weight, you can do so at the entrance and receive a band from the staff to show you've been weighed, ensuring you won't be asked or checked by staff at the base of the rides.

Which cabana is best?

We picked one near the Funtastic kids splash area and it was incredibly convenient. The capacity said 6, but it was fine for the 8 of us, as we weren’t all in it at the same time.

Confused about which Gazebo to book at Waterbom? We booked the gazebo next to the purple arrow on the map and it was awesome! 

What are the food prices like?

We found most mains to be between $7-10, and the food was gourmet, served on real plates. No oily fish and soggy chips in cardboard boxes here. Waterboms food is on par with the great pub food you'd get in Australia. We were all incredibly impressed.

You can check out the many dining options, and menus here.

Any negatives?

Overall, our group had a fantastic day. One member of our group didn’t appreciate that smoking was allowed inside the park, but it is restricted to designated areas.

Written by Kirstin Edwards - the travel expert behind My Big Adventure, a series of fun and interactive travel diaries that teach kids about their holiday destination. You can view the Bali edition here.