Aquatica San Antonio is an 18-acre water park located next to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas, operated by United Parks & Resorts. It opened on May 19, 2012, on the site of the former Lost Lagoon water park, which closed on Labor Day weekend 2011 to make way for the new attraction.
The park blends tropical theming with animal encounters, mixing traditional water park staples like a wave pool and lazy river with rides that pass through habitats featuring stingrays and tropical fish. Since opening, Aquatica San Antonio has continued to add new slides, including Tonga Twister in 2020 and the dueling Riptide Race in 2022, keeping the lineup fresh for Texas thrill-seekers.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Opened: May 19, 2012
- Operator: United Parks & Resorts
- Size: About 18 acres
- Signature attraction: Ihu’s Breakaway Falls (about 80 feet tall)
- Notable slide: Stingray Falls, an underwater grotto raft ride
- Famous for: Tallest drop slide in Texas
The Ride Experience
Aquatica San Antonio’s headline attraction is Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, a trio of slides that climb to nearly 80 feet, the tallest drop slide in Texas, before plunging riders down a steep, twisting descent at speeds around 20 to 24 feet per second. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall and ride solo.
Beyond the thrill slides, the park’s signature Stingray Falls sends family rafts through an underwater reef grotto stocked with stingrays and tropical fish, a ride billed as the first of its kind. Walhalla Wave adds a zero-gravity uphill blast for rafts, while a large wave pool, sandy beach areas, and a meandering lazy river round out the more relaxed side of the park.
History and Growth
The park replaced Lost Lagoon, an earlier water attraction that had operated at SeaWorld San Antonio since the early 1990s. SeaWorld announced the Aquatica project in May 2011, construction began that October, and the new park opened the following spring as a companion to the Orlando Aquatica location.
Since its debut, Aquatica San Antonio has expanded its slide lineup with additions like Tonga Twister in 2020 and Riptide Race, a dueling racer slide, in 2022, reflecting SeaWorld’s ongoing investment in the property as a standalone ticketed water park separate from the main SeaWorld gates.
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Aquatica San Antonio FAQs
When did Aquatica San Antonio open?
Aquatica San Antonio opened on May 19, 2012, replacing the earlier Lost Lagoon water park at the SeaWorld San Antonio property.
What is the tallest slide at Aquatica San Antonio?
Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, at nearly 80 feet, is the tallest drop slide in Texas and the highest point in the park.
Do you need a SeaWorld ticket to visit Aquatica San Antonio?
No, Aquatica operates as a separate ticketed park, so guests can buy admission to Aquatica alone without a SeaWorld ticket.
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Photo by Soly Moses on Pexels.