I once saw a man launch himself off the Kamikaze slide at Aquopolis like a leathery human missile, arms flailing, sunglasses flying, screaming “¡Olé!” as if that might somehow improve his landing. He limped away with a dignity-stripped toe injury and a bruised ego, but it could’ve been worse. I’ve got three kids and a husband who insists on “testing” rides before anyone else. I study water park safety like other people study wine.
If you’re heading to a Spanish water park this summer — whether it’s Aqualandia in Benidorm, Aquashow in the Algarve, or that charming one tucked behind the service station outside Tarragona — you need to know how to keep everyone alive and not sunburned to hell. This is that guide. I’m your soggy, sunhatted oracle.
Here’s the thing: Spain has some of the best-trained water park staff in Europe. But they’re still human. They’re watching 200 squealing children, a few cocky dads, and an inflatable crocodile with bad intentions. Don’t assume the lifeguards will catch everything. Scan the pool yourself. If you’ve got a little one, or a daredevil tween, be on high alert. Especially near wave pools, where chaos is basically scheduled every 30 minutes. And if you think, “oh I’ll just relax for a minute” — don’t. Water accidents are silent. No flailing, no screaming. Just slipping under. There’s a brilliant breakdown of the warning signs of silent drowning here: https://www.parents.com/kids/safety/outdoor/how-to-recognize-drowning-warning-signs/
Next: your feet will melt. Spanish sun plus tiles equals boiling foot death. Kids will not forgive you if they get second-degree blisters between rides. Neither will your partner. Bring waterproof slip-ons. Bonus points if they float. Someone will lose one. It’s inevitable. Don’t wear socks in the pool. Unless you want to be quietly judged in three languages and possibly featured in someone’s holiday TikTok titled “Weirdest people at Aqua Natura.”
And then there’s dehydration, the sneakiest of villains. You’ll think you’re fine. You’re not. You’re sweating in water, which is confusing for the body. Drink water. Real water. Not cola. Not sangria. Not that €6 “fresh” orange juice. Plain, boring agua. One bottle per person every hour is a decent rule. You’ll pee a lot. That’s a good thing. Also, space out your ice cream. I watched my middle child go full sugar monster after two Magnum Almendras and a Fanta Naranja. We had to bribe him off the pirate ship ride with promises of McDonald’s. It wasn’t our finest hour.
Then there’s the sun. It doesn’t care if you’re Irish or Mediterranean or made of titanium. It will find you. Every 90 minutes, reapply sunscreen like you’re marinating meat. Don’t forget behind the ears. It’s always behind the ears. Or the top of your husband’s bald patch. Yes, I’m still bitter.
Ride rules are not cute suggestions. If a sign says “only for swimmers” — believe it. That includes people who “used to be good swimmers”, teenagers who watched a TikTok about how to hold their breath for a minute, and you, after one too many beers at lunch. Spain has strict rules on minimum heights, lifejackets, and group tubes. Stick to them. Nobody wants to be the reason the lifeguard blows the whistle and ruins the vibe for everyone.
Final tip: bring a Sharpie. Label everything. Towels vanish. Flip flops migrate. Kids run off. Write your phone number on your kid’s arm with a waterproof marker. It washes off eventually. Or so we hope.
If you remember one thing, it’s this — don’t try to be chill. Be the overprepared mum. The one with the bag of snacks, backup sun cream, two extra hats, electrolyte tablets, plasters, and a laminated schedule. You’ll feel ridiculous until you’re not. When your child loses their goggles or your partner gets dizzy in the sun or someone’s swim shorts rip open — you’ll be the legend of the sunbeds.
If you’re planning more than one trip this year, you might even want to consider staying nearby — we’ll soon be posting a guide on the best property spots near Spain’s most popular water parks. Until then, keep your sandals on and your ego in check. Safety first. Then screaming. Then churros.
