United Arab Emirates
Iceland Water Park is a 75,000 square-metre waterpark in Al Jazirah Al Hamra, southern Ras Al Khaimah, themed around an Icelandic volcano — the giant fake volcano in the centre of the park is the unmistakable centrepiece, with lava-stone-coloured fibreglass slide structures wrapped around it. Open since 2010, the park has 30-plus slides and attractions across thrill, family, and kids' categories, plus a wave pool, lazy river, and themed restaurants. Day-pass pricing sits noticeably below Yas Waterworld and broadly in line with Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain. This guide covers what's at the park, ticket pricing, transport from Dubai and from RAK city, and when to go.
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road / E311 corridor) |
| Opened | 2010 |
| Theme | Icelandic / volcanic — fake volcano centrepiece, lava-stone fibreglass slides |
| Slides | 30+ across thrill, family, and kids' categories |
| Headline rides | Tornado, Penguin Falls, Aqua Bullet, Sea-Serpent Slide, Volcano Plunge |
| Other features | Wave pool, lazy river, kids' splash zones, themed restaurants |
| Opening hours | ~10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (varies seasonally; closed certain weekdays — check before travel) |
| Adult day pass | ~AED 220–280 (cheaper than Yas Waterworld) |
| Distance from RAK city centre | ~25 km / 25 min by car |
| Distance from Dubai | ~85 km / 70 min via E311 |
| Best for | Families on a budget alternative to Yas Waterworld; weekend add-on for Al Marjan Island stays |
The Park
Theme and Setting
The park is built around a single visual idea: an Icelandic volcano transplanted into the desert. A large artificial volcano sits in the middle of the site, with lava-stone-coloured fibreglass slide towers stacked around it and themed pathways linking the zones. The contrast — jagged "lava" structures, blue water, palm trees, and the flat Al Jazirah Al Hamra plain in the background — is the photograph that ends up on most visitors' phones. Compared with the more generic palette at Dreamland Aqua Park, Iceland leans harder into a single themed concept, which is what most families notice first.
Headline Rides
Five rides anchor the park's thrill inventory:
- Volcano Plunge — the centrepiece thrill ride, launching from the artificial volcano peak. Steep drop, short runout, and the most photographed slide in the park.
- Tornado — a giant funnel slide. Riders enter on a tube, drop into the funnel, and oscillate up the curved walls before being flushed out. Standard format at major waterparks but well executed here.
- Penguin Falls — a bank of free-fall body slides with near-vertical sections. Trapdoor-style starts at some lanes; expect a queue on weekends.
- Aqua Bullet — a steep enclosed body slide. Fast, dark, and short — a five-second adrenaline ride.
- Sea-Serpent Slide — a tube slide with internal light effects, sized for two-person tubes. The most family-friendly of the headline rides.
Around these, smaller mat racers, multi-lane drop slides, and gentler tube rides fill out the thrill inventory.
Kids' Areas
Dedicated kids' splash zones sit away from the main thrill towers, with shallow pools, gentle slides, tipping buckets, and fountain play features. Lifeguards are stationed at every kids' pool. Younger children who aren't ready for the volcano rides typically spend most of the day in these zones, which is the model parents from Dubai and Sharjah weekend trips rely on.
Wave Pool
The wave pool runs on a timed cycle through the day with medium-amplitude waves. It tends to be the busiest single feature on hot afternoons, with a wide shallow end for non-swimmers and a deeper section for floating with rented life vests.
Pools and Lazy River
A lazy river loops part of the site and is the default cool-down option between rides. Tubes are provided at no charge. Several themed pools sit near the volcano centrepiece, including a small plunge pool at the base of Volcano Plunge.
Tickets and Pricing
Day-pass prices vary by season and weekday vs weekend. Approximate ranges:
| Ticket type | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Adult day pass | AED 220–280 |
| Child day pass | AED 150–200 |
| Senior / under 3 | Free or reduced |
| Cabana rental | Add-on, priced per cabana |
| Locker / tube / life vest | Included with admission |
For comparison, Yas Waterworld sits notably higher per ticket and Dreamland Aqua Park notably lower; Iceland sits between the two and is broadly comparable to Dreamland on a weekday. Tickets are available at the gate, on Iceland's official website, and via the major aggregator sites — buying in advance online is generally a few dirhams cheaper and skips the gate queue on busy mornings.
Getting There
By Car from Dubai
The park sits in Al Jazirah Al Hamra, just off the E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road) corridor in southern RAK. From Dubai Marina, allow about 70 minutes outside rush hour; from Downtown Dubai, plan for 75–85 minutes. Friday morning traffic and Sharjah-bound congestion can add 20–30 minutes. Free parking is available outside the gate.
By Car from RAK City
If you're staying in RAK city centre or on Al Marjan Island, the drive is short. From the city, count on 25 minutes; from Al Marjan Island resorts, around 10 minutes. This proximity is the main reason Iceland is more naturally a RAK-weekend attraction than a destination day-trip from Dubai.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing
Careem and RTA-coordinated cabs work in RAK but coverage thins outside the city. A one-way ride from Dubai Marina is approximately AED 200–250; from RAK city centre, AED 50–80. For a family of four, self-drive or a hire car is almost always more economical than two-way ride-hailing from Dubai.
By Bus
Inter-emirate RTA bus routes connect Dubai with RAK bus terminal, then a metered taxi onward to the park. Total trip is around 2.5 hours each way and is rarely the right choice for a waterpark day with kids.
Best Time to Visit
- October to April — peak season. Daytime is comfortable and the park is busiest on Friday and Saturday. Aim for weekday mornings if you want short queues.
- May to September — high summer. The waterpark is actually at its most enjoyable in this window because the slides and pools are the entire point of being there; expect long queues at Volcano Plunge and Tornado on weekends and book the morning slot.
The combination of an indoor city experience, an outdoor desert experience, and a waterpark is also a reasonable summer day if you start with the slides early and move indoors by mid-afternoon.
Practical Notes
- Modest swimwear is appreciated — avoid string bikinis and Speedo briefs in family areas
- Tubes, lockers, and life vests are provided at no charge; cabana rental is extra and worth it on summer weekends
- Themed restaurants and snack stalls are inside the park; expect higher-than-average prices and bring a refillable water bottle
- The park has a long-running family-friendly reputation; lifeguards are stationed at every kids' pool and at the wave pool
- Free parking outside the gate; arrive before 10 a.m. on weekends to avoid the row furthest from the entrance
- Check the official website before travel — opening days vary seasonally and the park typically closes on certain weekdays for maintenance
- Photography is allowed except in changing rooms and family pool areas
- Phones and electronics should go in a locker — fibreglass thrill rides are unkind to pockets
Nearby
Iceland is a natural part of a wider Ras Al Khaimah weekend. Al Marjan Island is the obvious base — 10 minutes by car, with most of the emirate's beach resorts and the in-progress integrated-resort district. Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak with the world's longest zipline and a viewing-deck road, is around 90 minutes north-east and pairs well with a morning at the waterpark and an evening on the mountain. For a longer Northern Emirates loop, Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain is roughly 50 minutes south on the same E311 corridor. Visitors comparing Iceland against the country's largest themed waterpark should look at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Iceland Water Park ticket?
Adult day passes are approximately AED 220–280 and child passes around AED 150–200, varying by season and weekday vs weekend. That puts Iceland well below Yas Waterworld and broadly in line with Dreamland Aqua Park.
What time does Iceland Water Park open?
Iceland is generally open from around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with seasonal variation. The park is typically closed on certain weekdays for maintenance. Check the official website before travelling — published hours change with the season and with school holidays.
Where is Iceland Water Park?
In the Al Jazirah Al Hamra district of southern Ras Al Khaimah, just off the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) corridor. It is approximately 25 km from RAK city centre and 85 km from Downtown Dubai.
How do I get to Iceland Water Park from Dubai?
By car via E311 — allow about 70 minutes from Dubai Marina outside rush hour, or 75–85 minutes from Downtown Dubai. Free parking is available outside the gate. Public bus options (RTA bus to RAK terminal plus a taxi) take around 2.5 hours each way.
How big is Iceland Water Park?
The park covers approximately 75,000 m² with 30-plus slides and attractions across thrill, family, and kids' categories, plus a wave pool, lazy river, and themed restaurants. It is smaller than both Dreamland Aqua Park and Yas Waterworld but more tightly themed.
What are the headline rides at Iceland Water Park?
The five headline rides are Volcano Plunge (the centrepiece launched from the artificial volcano peak), Tornado (a giant funnel slide), Penguin Falls (free-fall body slides), Aqua Bullet (a steep enclosed body slide), and the Sea-Serpent Slide (a tube ride with internal light effects).
Is Iceland Water Park better than Yas Waterworld?
They serve different audiences. Yas Waterworld has more modern infrastructure, the country's most ambitious themed slides, and a higher price point. Iceland is cheaper, smaller, and more naturally part of a Ras Al Khaimah weekend than a destination day-trip in its own right. For a budget RAK family day, Iceland wins; for a once-a-year waterpark splurge, Yas does.
Is Iceland Water Park family-friendly?
Yes. Dedicated kids' splash zones with lifeguards, modest-swimwear expectations in family areas, and a mix of gentle and thrill rides make it a standard family-day destination. Younger children tend to spend most of the day in the kids' zones while older children and adults cycle through the headline slides.
Does Iceland Water Park have a wave pool?
Yes. A wave pool runs on a timed cycle through the day, with a wide shallow end for non-swimmers and a deeper section for floating with rented life vests. It is one of the busiest features on hot afternoons.
Can I combine Iceland Water Park with Al Marjan Island?
Yes — and this is the most common Iceland itinerary. Al Marjan Island is around 10 minutes from the gate, and most visitors who stay in an Al Marjan resort either spend a half-day at Iceland or pair a morning at the waterpark with an evening on the island. Jebel Jais is around 90 minutes onward and works as the third leg of a RAK weekend.