Travellers heading to Jordan this summer can cool down with a visit to the country's largest water park.
Saraya Aqaba Waterpark will open to the public on July 3, with residents being invited for a preview before then. The park is being operated by Farah Experiences, the company behind Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Nestled in the south of Jordan with amazing views of the Eilat Mountains, the kingdom’s largest water park is part of Saraya Aqaba, a mixed-use destination on the Red Sea coast.
Spanning 28,500 square metres, it's Aqaba's first water park and has no shortage of rides and slides, many of which are named after the kingdom's most-visited destinations.
Click through the gallery above to see more pictures of the water park.
Try The Dead Sea Drop on the Aqaba Waterfront, where swimmers will plunge down a 12-metre vertical slide. Or grab your friends to take part in the Wadi Rum Racer and see who splashes into the pool below first.
The park's very own Mount Nebo is named after Jordan's most famous peak and is the place to go for 360° views and four more water slides. Try the Syagha Serpent or venture into the Cavern of Wonders, while thrill-seekers will want to check out the Summit Soaker.
Visitors can also don a headset and venture into the water to experience Jordan’s first underwater virtual-reality experience.
For children, Aqua Jerash is an adventure play area filled with slides, waterfalls, rotating water jets and a giant tipping bucket, reserved for youngsters aged 12 and under.
Those seeking relaxation can float in the Al Mujib lazy river, which meanders along 200 metres of scenic waterway, and any adults looking for an escape from the children and some downtime can head to the Azure Oasis, where the Azure Bar will serve shisha and drinks.
Across the park, there are options for refuelling, including at the Rose City diner, named after the moniker often given to Jordan's Petra. As the main dining outlet, the casual eatery serves shareable meals and a special drinks menu. There are also snack carts, ice cream stalls and drinks vendors dotted throughout the park for those who don't want to take too long a break from the action.
A stop at Al Siq Souk, which is inspired by the narrow gorge leading tourists into Jordan's ancient Nabataean city, is a must-do for visitors looking to take home a souvenir of the country's largest water park, or for picking up swimming essentials, such as shorts, swimwear, caps, goggles and more.
“We are excited to announce that Saraya Aqaba Waterpark will be the first-of-its-kind water park in Aqaba and the largest in the kingdom,” said general manager Chris Van Der Merwe.
"Guests from Jordan and around the world are in for an aquatic adventure like no other with slides, rides and experiences suitable for guests of all ages."
Day passes to the park cost 35 Jordanian dinars ($49) and 30 Jordanian dinars for children, with free entry for those under 3 years old. A Saraya Aqaba Waterpark Season Pass costs 100 Jordanian dinars and gives visitors unlimited access to the park until the end of the season, plus discounts at dining and retail outlets.
Part of the Saraya Al Aqaba Residential City, the water park is the latest attraction to open in the Red Sea destination, which is also home to Al Manara Luxury Collection Hotel, the first five-star resort in the ancient port city of Aqaba.
Jordan has reopened to travellers with no quarantine required, and Emirates and Etihad Airways currently fly between the kingdom and the UAE.
