Cedar Point Shores is the water park at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio — an 18-acre complex of speed slides, a giant wave pool, two lazy rivers, and family splash zones perched directly on the shore of Lake Erie. Operated by Six Flags, it consistently ranks among the top water parks in Ohio and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer to its striking lakeside setting.
The park traces its roots to 1988, when it opened as Soak City with ten slides before growing steadily through the 1990s. A full rebrand and overhaul in 2017 gave it the Cedar Point Shores identity, introducing new themed areas and attractions. Following Six Flags’ 2024 merger with Cedar Fair, the park has continued expanding and now offers more than 28 water attractions alongside the iconic Breakwater Bay wave pool.
Quick Answer
Cedar Point Shores is the official water park at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, open seasonally from late May through late August. Admission is sold separately from Cedar Point amusement park tickets and is not included with a Cedar Point day ticket, though combo and season pass options covering both parks are available.
Rides and Attractions at Cedar Point Shores
Cedar Point Shores packs more than 28 attractions across 18 acres. The headline thrill ride is Point Plummet, a six-story tower with four enclosed 400-foot speed slides, each featuring an aqua-drop pod that drops the floor out beneath you for a near-vertical free fall. Riptide Raceway channels a different kind of competition — six side-by-side mat racing lanes let riders go head-to-head from top to bottom. Lake Erie Nor’easter delivers an enclosed multi-slide experience, while Perch Plunge offers three classic serpentine body slides and Wild Walleye features individual tube slides for solo riders.
Portside Plunge and Starboard Surge, both part of the park since its 2017 rebrand, are single- and double-rider tube slides that finish with a dramatic drop into a splash pool. For mixed groups and families, Storm Surge is a 76-foot family raft ride sending multi-person tubes twisting down to a splashdown. Cedar Creek is the park’s relaxing lazy river for drifting at an easy pace, while Runaway Rapids is a wilder action river winding through simulated canyons with waterfalls and geysers along the route. New for the 2025 season, two additional tube slides were added inside the former Crosscurrent tower, rounding out an already deep lineup.
Breakwater Bay: Cedar Point’s Giant Wave Pool
Breakwater Bay is the centerpiece of Cedar Point Shores and one of the largest wave pools in Ohio. The pool holds approximately 500,000 gallons of water at a maximum depth of six feet, generating rolling waves that reach three to four feet — large enough to body surf or ride inner tubes through the surf. Inner tubes are permitted, making it accessible for swimmers at all comfort levels.
The pool draws large crowds throughout the day, so arriving early or heading to Breakwater Bay during the midday lunch window — when most guests are eating and lines for slides are shorter — gives you the best chance at open water and a lounge chair. The surrounding deck looks directly out toward Lake Erie, giving Breakwater Bay one of the more scenic backdrops of any wave pool in the Midwest.
Family Zones and Kids Areas
Cedar Point Shores dedicates significant space to younger guests across three distinct children’s areas. Lemmy’s Lagoon is the park’s signature kids zone, themed around Lemmy — Lake Erie’s legendary sea-monster mascot — and features shallow-water play areas, kid-scaled slides, and interactive spray features designed for toddlers and early elementary-age children. Lakeside Landing is a multi-level play structure offering 12 smaller slides, geysers, and fountains for slightly older kids, and The Waterin’ Hole rounds out the trio with additional interactive splash features and shallow wading areas.
Great Lakes Cove offers open swimming with floating obstacles, and The Sandlot provides a beach volleyball area and lounging space with open-air seating. Complimentary Coast Guard-certified life jackets are available free of charge throughout the park for guests who want extra flotation in the wave pool or lazy rivers.
Height Requirements and Safety Rules
Cedar Point Shores follows a tiered height structure similar to the main park. Play areas and leisure pools carry no minimum height, so toddlers and non-swimmers can enjoy them with a life jacket and adult supervision, but both lazy rivers — Cedar Creek and Runaway Rapids — require riders to be at least 48 inches tall to ride unaccompanied, or 42 inches if accompanied by a supervising companion. Family raft rides and moderate tube slides typically start around 42 to 48 inches, while the park’s most intense attractions — including the Point Plummet speed slides — require riders to meet the tallest thresholds, generally 48 inches or more.
Requirements are posted at each slide entrance and can shift by attraction, so families with young or borderline-height children should confirm specific numbers on the official Cedar Point Shores site before queuing. For a full ride-by-ride breakdown of every height rule at both the water park and the main gate, see thrillzing’s Cedar Point height requirements guide.
Tickets, Prices, and Is Cedar Point Shores Included With Cedar Point?
Cedar Point Shores admission is sold separately from Cedar Point amusement park tickets — a standard Cedar Point day ticket does not grant water park access, and a Cedar Point Shores ticket does not cover the rides at Cedar Point. Single-day water park admission is typically cheaper when purchased online in advance than at the gate, and Six Flags regularly runs seasonal discount windows and flash sales that lower the online rate further.
Season passholders can buy discounted Bring-A-Friend tickets to bring guests into the water park at a reduced rate, and combo tickets or season passes covering both Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores are available for visitors planning multi-day trips. Because pricing tiers, promotions, and add-on packages (like all-day drink refills) change throughout the season, check current Cedar Point Shores ticket prices on the official site before you buy.
Hours and Best Time to Visit
Cedar Point Shores operates seasonally, typically opening in late May and running through late August or early September, with the busiest stretch falling between mid-June and mid-August. Daily hours generally start around late morning and run into the evening, but the schedule varies by date — weekdays often open or close earlier than weekends — so always confirm the day-specific hours on the official Six Flags Cedar Point calendar before heading out.
For the shortest lines at Breakwater Bay and the slide towers, arrive at opening or visit on a weekday, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday. Late May, June before school lets out, and late August tend to run lighter than the peak July stretch and holiday weekends.
Parking, Bag Policy, and What to Bring
Standard parking applies whether you’re visiting Cedar Point, Cedar Point Shores, or both, with preferred and close-in parking options available for an added fee. Outside coolers and glass containers are not permitted, but unopened, individually sealed water bottles are generally allowed in soft-sided bags. Wheeled bags, oversized beach bags, and hard coolers should be left in the car or checked at a locker.
All-day lockers are available near the entrance and inside Cedar Point Shores for storing phones, wallets, and other valuables you don’t want to carry through the wave pool or lazy rivers. Because bag-size limits and permitted-item rules are updated periodically, review the latest guidelines on the official park site before you pack for the day.
Cabanas, Rentals, and Rain Policy
Private poolside cabanas can be reserved in standard, deluxe, and premium tiers, with higher tiers adding amenities like a TV, mini-fridge, and ceiling fan; season passholders typically receive a discount on cabana rates. All cabana tiers include WiFi and lockable storage, making them a popular option for families spending a full day at Breakwater Bay.
Cedar Point Shores stays open through light rain, closing water attractions temporarily only during heavier storms or lightning and reopening once conditions clear. As with the main park, water park tickets are generally non-refundable for weather, so check the forecast and plan your visit day accordingly rather than counting on a rain check.
Cedar Point Shores water park guide FAQs
Is Cedar Point Shores included with a Cedar Point ticket?
No. Cedar Point Shores admission is sold separately from Cedar Point amusement park tickets, and a standard Cedar Point day ticket does not include water park access. Combo tickets and season passes covering both parks are available if you want to visit each.
What are the hours and season dates for Cedar Point Shores?
Cedar Point Shores typically operates from late May through late August, with daily hours generally spanning late morning into the evening. Exact hours vary by date, so confirm the day you plan to visit on the official Six Flags Cedar Point calendar.
How much do Cedar Point Shores tickets cost?
Single-day admission is cheapest when bought online in advance rather than at the gate, and Six Flags periodically runs discount promotions. Season passholders can also buy discounted Bring-A-Friend tickets. Check the official ticket page for current pricing.
What is the height requirement for Point Plummet and the other slides?
Requirements vary by ride: leisure pools have no minimum, both lazy rivers require riders to be 48 inches tall (or 42 inches if accompanied by a supervising companion), family raft rides generally start around 42 to 48 inches, and the most intense slides like Point Plummet require about 48 inches or taller. Requirements are posted at each attraction entrance.
Can you bring your own food, cooler, or water bottles into Cedar Point Shores?
Outside food, hard coolers, and glass containers are not allowed, but sealed, individual water bottles in a soft-sided bag are generally permitted. Wheeled bags and oversized beach bags should be left in your car or stored in a rental locker.
Does Cedar Point Shores close for rain?
Light rain doesn’t typically close the park, but heavier storms or lightning will pause water attractions until conditions improve. Tickets are generally non-refundable for weather, so it’s worth checking the forecast before you commit to a visit day.
How big is the wave pool at Cedar Point Shores?
Breakwater Bay holds roughly 500,000 gallons of water at a maximum depth of six feet and produces rolling waves of about three to four feet, making it one of the largest wave pools in Ohio.
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