Israel’s Top Water Parks

June 25th 2013

Summer is a popular time to visit Israel, and for families with children, water parks are a terrific way to spend a hot summer day in Israel. Planning for a day at a water park gives kids something extra special to look forward to during travel days that are more focused on historical, religious or cultural attractions. Read on for our recommendations of four particularly awesome Israeli water parks.

Shefayim Water Park
Located just 10 minutes north of Herzliya on the Mediterranean coast, Shefayim Water Park is the largest water park in Israel, extending over 24 acres. Open between May and October, the site is a recreational haven, including a water park, paintball fields, eateries and plenty of umbrella-shaded seating. There are abundant colorful and challenging slides, tunnels and inner tube rides for older children and adults. For the younger set, you’ll find sprinklers, wading pools and shorter, gentler slides. Popular with summer camps, groups, schools, community programs, corporate groups and individual families, Shefayim Water Park is a great destination for tourist families as well.

Ashkeluna Water Park
Located on Delilah Beach in Ashkelon, a coastal city about an hour south of Tel Aviv, Ashkeluna Water Park hosts activities for the whole family and is appropriate for children ages three and up. If you’re visiting Ashkeluna with children under eight years of age, you’ll want to visit the five mini-slides and smaller pool featured in Kid’s World. Older children and adults will enjoy the Kamikaze Slide (the longest in Israel), slalom rides and rappelling area. For those who prefer a gentler experience in the water, Ashkeluna also features two regular swimming pools without slides.
During the busiest summer days, you can expect lines at the more popular slides. The park provides plenty of life guards and park employees who keep things moving along safely for everyone. Ashkeluna also features an on-site kosher eatery as well as lots of open areas that are perfect for picnic lunches.

DreamLand Water Park (Beit Chalomotay)
Located in the Rechovot area in Givat Brenner, DreamLand features two giant nine-foot waterfalls, a water forest and a huge air-conditioned indoor hall with Sony PlayStations, foosball tables, arts and crafts, Gymboree, Tarzan slides and more. DreamLand features a special outdoor train for children, pulled by a big green tractor. (Just don’t confuse DreamLand Water Park with Dreamland Aqua Park in the United Arab Emirates.)

Luna Gal
Located on the eastern side of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Luna Gal was the first water park in Israel. It offers heart-pumping fun on the Kamikaze water slides, Hurricane track, the 40-foot-high Typhoon ride and a tube slide that operates in total darkness. As in other water parks, there are plenty of gentle, animal-themed slides and shallow pools for younger children. A lagoon, paddle boats, tubing and other water sports, along with shaded eucalyptus groves for picnicking and nearby camping facilities, make Luna Gal a fun destination for the whole family.