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, open seasonally from late May through late summer with hours that vary by date. Admission is sold separately from Cedar Point amusement park tickets and is not included with a standard Cedar Point day ticket, though combo tickets and season passes covering both parks are available. The water park has its own dedicated parking lot near its entrance, and the official Cedar Point Shores site has the current calendar, prices, and any weather-related schedule changes.
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. 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 roughly 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.
Hours, Tickets & 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 that cover both Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores are worth comparing against separate admission if you plan to visit both gates.
The park operates on a shorter season than Cedar Point itself, generally running from late May through late August with days and hours that shift by month — weekdays often open later or close earlier than weekends, and the schedule can change for weather. Because dates and hours are updated throughout the year, always confirm the current calendar on the official Cedar Point Shores tickets page before you plan a trip.
Parking, Lockers & What to Bring
Cedar Point Shores has its own dedicated waterpark parking lot, located near the water park’s entrance behind Cedar Point near Hotel Breakers. Parking rates are the same whether you’re visiting the water park, the main amusement park, or both, with preferred and close-in parking options available for an added fee.
Wheeled bags, oversized beach bags, and hard-sided coolers should be left in the car, since they aren’t permitted inside. Outside food, drinks, and glass containers are generally not allowed except for documented dietary needs, though unopened, individually sealed water bottles are typically fine in a soft-sided bag. All-day rental lockers are available near the entrance for storing valuables, phones, and dry clothes, and guests can access them throughout the day rather than only once. Because bag-size limits and permitted-item lists are updated periodically, double-check the latest rules on the official site before you pack.
Cabanas, Dining & Food Policy
For guests who want a home base for the day, Cedar Point Shores offers cabana rentals in multiple tiers, from simpler shaded lounge setups up to premium options with amenities like flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, and mini-refrigerators for larger groups. Most tiers include chaise lounge chairs, an umbrella or shade structure, a lockable storage box, and poolside food and beverage service, and reservations can typically be made online in advance through the park’s cabana booking page.
In-park dining options include Beaches & Cream for frozen treats and quick snacks and Dockside Grill for burgers, sandwiches, and other classic water park fare. As noted above, outside food and drinks aren’t permitted beyond sealed water and documented dietary exceptions, so plan to eat on-site or step out to your vehicle if you want to bring your own meal.
Cedar Point Shores water park FAQs
Is Cedar Point Shores included with a Cedar Point ticket?
No. A standard Cedar Point day ticket does not include Cedar Point Shores admission, and a water park ticket does not cover the rides at Cedar Point. You need a separate water park ticket, a combo ticket, or a season pass that specifically includes both parks.
How much are Cedar Point Shores tickets?
Pricing varies by date and typically drops when you buy online in advance rather than at the gate, with occasional flash sales lowering rates further. Season passholders can also buy discounted Bring-A-Friend tickets. Check the official Cedar Point Shores tickets page for current prices on your visit date.
What are Cedar Point Shores’ hours?
The park runs a shorter season than Cedar Point, generally open from late May through late August, with daily hours that vary by month and day of the week — weekends often run longer than weekdays. Always confirm the exact hours for your date on the official park calendar, since the schedule can change for weather.
Is there separate parking for Cedar Point Shores?
Yes, Cedar Point Shores has its own dedicated waterpark parking lot near the water park’s entrance, behind Cedar Point near Hotel Breakers. Parking rates are the same as for the main Cedar Point amusement park, with preferred and close-in parking available for an additional fee.
What is the height requirement to ride at Cedar Point Shores?
Requirements vary by attraction. Play areas and leisure pools have no minimum height, both lazy rivers require riders to be 48 inches to ride unaccompanied (42 inches with a supervising companion), and the fastest slides, including Point Plummet, generally require 48 inches or more.
Can you bring your own food or a cooler into Cedar Point Shores?
Outside food, drinks, and hard coolers are generally not allowed inside, aside from documented dietary needs and sealed, unopened water bottles. The park has on-site dining options like Beaches & Cream and Dockside Grill, and all-day lockers are available for storing personal items.
Does Cedar Point Shores have lockers?
Yes, rental lockers are available near the entrance and can be accessed throughout the day, which is useful for storing phones, wallets, and dry clothes while you’re in the water.
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