Aquashow

Why visit Aquashow

Aquashow is the Algarve's largest water park, set just outside Quarteira in the Loulé municipality. What sets it apart from the region's other parks is scope: it combines water slides, a genuine roller coaster, amusement rides, and daily animal shows on a single site. At €33 per adult, it is competing directly with Zoomarine and Slide & Splash, and whether it justifies the price depends on what your group wants.

Aerial view of Aquashow water park near Quarteira

For families with children across a wide age range, the breadth works well. Teenagers get proper thrill slides and the Watercoaster, younger children have two dedicated splash areas, and the animal shows give everyone a break from the water. If your group is purely after water slides and you want the biggest selection, Slide & Splash has more slide variety. If you are drawn to marine life and dolphin shows, Zoomarine is the better choice. Aquashow's advantage is that it tries to do all of it, and mostly pulls it off.

The park gets genuinely crowded in July and August. Queues for the headline slides can reach 20–30 minutes on hot afternoons, the wave pool fills up by midday, and the food outlets back up around 1pm. Visiting in June or September makes a noticeable difference. Weekdays are always quieter than weekends.

The slides

Aquashow has around a dozen slides spread across the park. The headline rides are worth planning your morning around; the smaller slides fill in the gaps.

Watercoaster

The park's signature ride and the reason many visitors choose Aquashow over other parks. This is a proper roller coaster that runs partly through water, reaching 23.5m high over a 740m track at up to 70km/h. You ride in an open cart that climbs, drops, and splashes through water sections. It is the closest thing to a theme park coaster you will find at any Algarve water park. The ride draws the longest queues in the park, so do it first thing in the morning. Minimum height 1.25m.

Free Fall

Two slides, 32m high and 129m long, dropping at a steep angle into the pool below. This is the park's most intense slide. The drop is fast and steep enough that your stomach genuinely lurches. Not for young children or anyone uncomfortable with heights. Minimum height 1.40m.

Twin Space Shuttle

A double enclosed slide standing 17m high and running 178m, with lighting effects inside the capsules. You ride in the dark with flashing lights and water, which adds disorientation to the speed. It suits older children and teenagers. Minimum height 1.20m.

Wild Snake

A snake-themed enclosed slide at 16m high. The ride is entirely in the dark, which makes it feel faster and more disorienting than it actually is. Children who are comfortable with dark spaces enjoy it; those who are not will find it unsettling. Check posted height requirements.

River Slide

The biggest slide in the park by length. You ride down on a large inflatable ring with up to 3 other people, which makes it popular with families and groups. The pace is moderate rather than extreme, so it works for a wider age range than the headline thrill slides. Check posted height requirements.

Pools and relaxation

Wave pool

A large pool with a wave machine that runs in cycles. When the waves are on, the deep end gets rough enough to unsettle children under 7, so keep younger ones in the shallows. Between wave cycles the pool calms and works as a standard swimming area. It gets crowded from midday, especially in peak summer.

Lazy river

A 250m circuit where you float on rubber rings at a gentle pace. This is the best way to cool down and rest between slides without leaving the water. It suits all ages and rarely has significant queues, though finding a free ring can take a few minutes at busy times.

Other pools

A tropical-themed pool with a waterfall, a standard swimming pool for laps, and a jacuzzi surrounded by rocks. The tropical pool is pleasant for a break but small; the swimming pool is useful when the wave pool is packed. The jacuzzi is popular with adults and has limited capacity, so expect a short wait in the afternoon.

Kids' areas

Aqualandia

The main children's area, designed for roughly ages 2–8. Shallow water with miniature slides, fountains, tipping buckets, and water jets. The water depth is low enough for toddlers to wade safely, and parents can supervise from the edges. It is colourful and keeps young children occupied for a good stretch, but shade is limited, so bring hats and apply sunscreen frequently.

Aquakids

A second, smaller splash area for young children with gentle slides and water features. Similar to Aqualandia but on a smaller scale. If you have children under 5, between these two areas and the lazy river, you can fill a solid half-day without going near the big slides.

Animal shows

Aquashow runs three animal shows daily, typically in the early and mid-afternoon. Check the schedule at the entrance and plan your day around them. The shows provide a welcome change of pace between water activities, though they are shorter and more modest than Zoomarine's presentations.

Parrot show

Cockatoos and parrots perform tricks with trainers, with a short talk about rainforest conservation woven in. Children may be invited to participate. The show runs about 15 minutes and is entertaining for younger children. Arrive a few minutes early for a seat with a good view.

Birds of prey show

Hawks, eagles, and owls fly over the audience in an open arena. The birds pass close enough to be striking, which holds the attention of older children and adults. Around 15 minutes. One of the better non-water attractions at the park.

Reptile show

A close-encounter session where staff bring out lizards and snakes for the audience to see and, in some cases, touch. Children who are curious about reptiles enjoy it; those who are not can skip it. About 15 minutes. The interaction element makes this more engaging than a standard display.

Amusement rides

Aquashow has three dry rides that add variety, especially for visitors who want a break from the water.

Top Swing

A large rotating swing ride seating 30 people, reaching 12m high at an angle of 110 degrees. This is a genuine thrill ride that will appeal to teenagers and adults. It is loud and fast. Young children may find it frightening. Check posted height requirements.

Air Race

Open airplane-shaped seats that spin around a central tower while the individual planes rotate. Similar to rides you would find at a funfair, but well-maintained. Suits children old enough to meet the height requirement and comfortable with spinning. Check posted requirements.

Mini Train

A gentle train ride around a section of the park. Designed for young children (roughly ages 2–6). Useful for resting tired legs while keeping small children entertained.

What to expect

Aquashow is a full-day park. Arrive at opening (10am in all months) to get the most from your visit. The first hour has the shortest slide queues, and the headline rides build significant waits by late morning.

Pick up a show schedule at the entrance immediately. Plan your morning around the big slides (Watercoaster and Free Fall first), fit in the animal shows during the early afternoon when the water areas are busiest, and save the lazy river and pools for the late afternoon when queues drop.

The park is spread across a large site but the layout is logical and well-signposted. Walking between the furthest points takes about 10 minutes. Show arenas are shaded; the slide areas and pools have limited shade, so sunscreen and hats are essential.

You are not allowed to wear jewellery on the water slides. Leave watches, rings, and necklaces in your locker before heading to the slides. GoPro-style cameras are permitted on most slides.

Facilities

Lockers: €5 for the day (40 x 30 x 48cm)
Sunbeds: €15 for 2 sunbeds, straw umbrella, and small table
Free grass areas: Space to lay towels at no cost
First aid: On-site near the wave pool
Changing rooms and showers: Large facilities, busiest around midday
Toilets: Multiple locations throughout the park
Souvenir shop: Swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and souvenirs

Food & dining

The park has several snack bars and a restaurant spread across the grounds.

Kids' meals (burger or hotdog with chips and a drink): around €5
Adult meals: around €8
Options: Sandwiches, pizza, salads, standard fast food

The food is standard theme-park fare at theme-park prices. Filling but unremarkable. Nothing you would go out of your way to eat.

Can you bring your own food? Yes, and it is worth doing. Picnic areas with tables and seating are available. A packed lunch saves a family of four €20–25 over park food.

Practical information

Admission prices

Adults: €33
Children (5–12): €24
Under 5: Free
Pregnant women: 50% discount

Buy tickets online before you go. It saves time at the entrance, and queues for the ticket windows can stretch on summer mornings.

Aquashow Park Hotel: The park has an on-site 4-star hotel. Guests receive unlimited park entry during their stay (a wristband is issued daily). If you are spending several days in the area with children, this can work out cheaper than buying separate day tickets, and it means you can split the park across multiple visits without rushing.

Opening hours

Aquashow is open from May to September:

May: Daily, 10am–5pm
June and September: Daily, 10am–5.30pm
July: Daily, 10am–6pm
August: Daily, 10am–6.30pm

The park is closed from October to April. Always check the official website before visiting, as dates and hours can shift.

Height requirements

The Watercoaster requires a minimum height of 1.25m. Free Fall requires 1.40m. Twin Space Shuttle requires 1.20m. Other slides have individual requirements, typically between 1.10–1.40m. Check the park map on arrival for the full list. If you are visiting with children, measure them before you go to avoid disappointment at the slide entrance.

Getting there

Address: EN 396, Semino, 8125-303 Quarteira

By car: Follow signs from the N396 or the A22 motorway (exit for Quarteira/Vilamoura). Free parking with plenty of capacity. This is the easiest option.

By shuttle bus: Aquashow operates transport services from major resort areas. Pre-book through your hotel or the Aquashow website.

Contact

Website: aquashow.pt
Phone: +351 289 389 396

Tips for your visit

Buy tickets online: Skip the entrance queues, especially on summer mornings
Arrive at opening: The first hour has the shortest slide queues. Head straight to the Watercoaster
Plan around shows: Grab a schedule at the entrance and fit animal shows into your afternoon when slide queues peak
Do Free Fall early: It builds the longest wait after the Watercoaster
Bring your own food: Picnic areas are available and park food is overpriced
Use the free grass areas: Laying your towel on the grass costs nothing; sunbed rental is €15 if you want shade and comfort
Remove jewellery before slides: Required by the park, and easier to leave it in a locker from the start
Visit in June or September: Noticeably fewer crowds than July–August
Consider the hotel: If you are staying several days, unlimited park access can pay for itself

What to bring

Swimwear and towels: most attractions involve water
Sunscreen and hats: limited shade around the slides and pools
Waterproof phone pouch or GoPro: cameras are allowed on slides
Comfortable walking shoes: the park is spread out
Packed lunch and drinks: picnic areas available, saves money over park food
Cash or card for lockers and sunbed rental

Nearby

Aquashow is on the N396 between Quarteira and Vilamoura, about 15 minutes inland from the coast. After a full day at the park, Praia de Quarteira or Praia de Vilamoura are both a short drive south for an evening swim. Praia da Falésia, one of the Algarve's finest stretches of sand, is 10 minutes east. For families spending several days in the area, Krazy World Zoo near Algoz makes a good change of pace from water parks.

Last reviewed: 2 March 2026