Volcano Bay has some of the best water park rides in the country including the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, and more. Here are our rankings of the top 10 best rides at Volcano Bay! Pick your favorites to ensure you know what to try when visiting the park!
Volcano Bay is one of Universal Orlando Resort’s three parks. Many people know that Universal has two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which feature roller coasters and thrill rides, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and more. But not everyone realizes that Universal has a water park called Volcano Bay, which opened in 2017.
Volcano Bay | Image © Universal
It features a volcano and three villages: Rainforest Village, River Village, and Wave Village. The rides are spread out among these locations and I’ll make sure to specify where you can find each ride throughout the park! I’ll also include height restrictions and other important information so you’ll have everything you need to know before you ride.
Especially in the Florida heat, Volcano Bay is a great place to spend at least a day on your Universal vacation and try some of the craziest water rides in the country.
Now, let’s get into the list!
Opening in 2017, the Krakatau Aqua Coaster is one of the most popular rides at Volcano Bay, and for good reason. This ride is essentially a water-based roller coaster because you are not simply by yourself on a slide, but rather in a canoe flying through twists, turns, and drops.
The ride has a few drops that will really get your blood pumping, but it’s nowhere near the VelociCoaster or other Universal Orlando rides in terms of the fear factor.
One thing to keep in mind when trying to ride the Krakatau is that there are often long waits to ride.
Fortunately, Volcano Bay uses a virtual line tool called Tapu Tapu that is really effective in decreasing the time required to wait in actual lines throughout the day; you scan your wristband at a ride entrance and then go do something else for a while as you wait. Your wristband will vibrate to let you know it’s time to ride!
For this Krakatau Aqua Coaster, I recommend scanning your Tapu Tapu either early in the morning or right before lunch so you don’t need to wait for too long.
The Ride
The coaster starts in River Village even though a significant portion of the ride centers around the Volcano. On the ride, you will be zooming around in a four-person canoe on a track that looks like a water slide.
Krakatau includes several breathtaking drops, twists, and turns. Even the uphills can be scary because the ride launches you right up the slide!
While most of the ride is outdoors and you can enjoy the amazing views of Volcano boy as you twist around the Volcano itself, there are a few dark sections that really increase the fear factor on this ride.
The aqua coaster ends with one last plunge into the finish section that will have you taking a huge sigh of relief when it’s done. But, I guarantee that you will want to ride it again!
Category: Thrill, Aqua Coaster
Location: River Village
Opening Date: May 25, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum Height 42” (107 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 700 lb (317 kg) combined
Supervising Companion Requirement: Under 48” (122 cm) requires a supervising companion
Ko’okiri is when Volcano Bay really starts to turn the fear factor up! The ride is a drop slide, where you stand over a trap door that will surprise you and open, dropping you 125ft at a 70-degree angle, which basically feels like you are falling straight down.
The Ride
The ride itself doesn’t need that much description because it’s pretty simple, but that doesn’t take away from the thrill!
The most intense part of the ride is the long build-up to actually being dropped. The climb up to the ride is when the pressure starts to build as you make your way up the volcano. Once it’s your turn, you wait in a drop chamber for the moment when the floor below you will fall away, dropping you straight down along the slide to the water below.
In terms of intensity in the build-up, the ride is number one in the park. My kids Ben and Ava love it because they are huge thrill seekers. Don’t get me wrong, I love it too! But the build-up and drop is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Category: Thrill, Drop Slide
Location: Wave Village
Opening Date: May 25, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 48” (122 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 300 lb (136 kg)
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
The ride Kala & Tai Nui is named after its two slides. Once it’s your turn, you and another guest will each get into a slide. The blue slide is Kala, and the green slide is Tai Nui. Like the Ko’okiri body plunge, these are drop slides, meaning you will be waiting in a drop chamber for the floor to release below you.
The ride builds suspense to the extreme, and the green slide, Tai Nui, is arguably the scariest drop in Volcano Bay.
The Ride
In true serpentine fashion, the two slides criss cross several times as you fall down to the pool of water below. Arguably just as scary, or scarier than Ko’okiri, these slides are not for the faint-hearted, but they will give you one of the best rushes in all of Universal Orlando Resort.
Category: Thrill, Drop Slide
Location: Rainforest Village
Opening Date: May 27, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 48” (122 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 300 lb (136 kg)
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
Ready to Book Your Trip?
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Yes, more drop slides! These features in Volcano Bay rank highly because of their thrill factor, and you really should try all of the drops on your visit. Located in Rainforest Village, the Ohyah & Ohno drop slides are designed like Kala & Tai Nui, where the ride involves two slides, each holding a separate person.
Depending on which slide you choose, we highly recommend either yelling ‘Oh No!’ or ‘Oh Yeah!’ as the trap door falls away below you.
The Ride
Like the other drops throughout the park, the beginning of the ride is up in the Volcano, meaning you have a suspense-building climb up to the drop point. Each slide gives a slightly different experience, and while both are thrilling, Ohno, naturally, is a bit scarier.
You are dropped into a swirling pool at the end of each slide. Ohyah drops you from about four feet, and Ohno drops you from around six feet.
Category: Thrill, Drop Slide
Location: Rainforest Village
Opening Date: May 27, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 48” (122 cm)
Weight Requirement: None
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
Punga Racers is a family-friendly group of water slides where 4 people can race to see who reaches the pool at the end first. Although this is technically categorized as a thrill ride on the Universal website, it’s not particularly scary and has some pretty enjoyable turns and drops.
The real fun comes from trying to beat your friends to the bottom!
The Ride
Located in Rainforest Village, you and your friends will climb up to the start of the ride and choose your slides. Each is a different color and has a unique design, but they all take approximately the same time to reach the bottom.
After a countdown, you will all launch down the slides and enjoy the smooth turns and drops as you race to try and get first place!
Category: Water Slide
Location: Rainforest Village
Opening Date: May 27, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 42” (107 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 300 lb (136 kg)
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
Honu of the Honu ika Moana is a water ride that sends you and four other people on a raft twisting, turning, and screaming down a thrilling water slide.
Honu is the sister ride of ika Moana, and is the more thrilling version of the two. It’s one of the few rides in the park that you can actually ride with friends or family because you and your four friends are all on the same raft.
The Ride
Located in River Village, Honu of the Honu ika Moana will have you screaming with joy as you and your friends experience drops, twists, and near-vertical pauses on the ride.
One of my favorite features of the ride is the huge walls. As you come down the slide and are about to take a turn, the momentum of your raft will send you up the face of a huge blue wall and it will hold you there momentarily near vertically at the top.
Even though this is a thrill ride, it has a great flow and it’s really enjoyable.
Category: Water Ride
Location: River Village
Opening Date: May 27, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 48” (122 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 700 lb (317 kg) combined
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
ika Moana is the more relaxed, family-friendly version of Honu. The rides are right next to each other, ika Moana being green and Honu being blue. While from afar both rides may look the exact same, ika Moana doesn’t feature the same swinging drops and huge walls as Honu, making it a good introduction slide for those who are timid of the more significant thrill attractions at this park.
The Ride
Like Honu, ika Moana uses a 5 person raft, so you and four others can enjoy it together. Featuring several fun turns, the ride has a great flow that makes it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Category: Water Ride
Location: River Village
Opening Date: May 27, 2017
Height Requirement: Minimum height 42” (107 cm)
Weight Requirement: Maximum weight 750 lb (340 kg) combined
Supervising Companion Requirement: Under 48” (122cm) must have a supervising companion
While Waturi Beach isn’t technically a ride, I have to call it out on this list because it’s one of my favorite features in the park. Waturi Beach is technically just a huge pool, but don’t let that take away from its beauty. If you are just relaxing by the side of the beach you will have a view of crystal clear water and a huge volcano in the background.
It’s one of the best places in the resort to relax and get some sun.
At Waturi Beach you can rent a cabana with your family, relax in the pool, or get in the wave pool! The waves come from multiple directions and you can have some fun in the surf before going back to your new favorite tanning spot.
Category: Pool/ Wave Pool
Location: Wave Village
Opening Date: May 25, 2017
Height Requirement: Guests under 48’ (122 cm) must use life jackets
Weight Requirement: None
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
River Village is the place to be in Universal’s Volcano Bay if you are a kid. The area is filled with several attractions for children, making it great for families with young children who might not fit the height requirements of the bigger rides.
Like Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure, there are several attractions in this part of the park for kids, each with a slightly different theme or ride. While the village has its share of thrill rides (the Aqua Coaster is here), it also offers tamer pursuits such as Runamukka Reef, the Tot Tiki Reef, and Kopiko Wai Winding River, all perfect for little ones.
This area makes the list because it is one of the reasons Volcano Bay is great for families of all kinds, and parents will even have fun here relaxing in the sun and enjoying the simple rides!
Category: Kid-friendly Area
Location: River Village
Opening Date: May 25, 2017
Height Requirements: For guests under 48” (122 cm), a life jacket is often required
Weight Requirement: None
Supervising Companion Requirement: None
This is the least lazy, lazy river you will ever find. Once you put on your life jacket and get in the water you are at the mercy of the river! Categorized as a thrill ride on Universal’s website, TeAwa The Fearless River will send you down churning rapids, swelling waves, and fast turns as you speed down the flowing water.
Even though this is number 10, it’s still one of my favorite attractions at Volcano Bay. Just jumping in and giving yourself to the mercy of the river is such a fun experience, and this is a must-try when you visit!
Category: Water Ride
Location: Rainforest Village
Opening Date: May 25, 2017
Height Requirements: Minimum height 42” (107 cm), all guests are required to wear life jackets
Weight Requirement: None
Supervising Companion Requirement: Guests under 48” (122 cm) require a supervising companion
Conclusion
Despite being “just” a water park, Volcano Bay has some of the most thrilling rides in Universal Orlando Resort. From the huge drop slides to the world-famous aqua coasters, Volcano Bay should be at the top of everyone’s list when they visit Universal.
While the thrill rides help make Volcano Bay special, there are fun and enjoyable attractions for families and kids of all ages, making the water park the perfect place to visit on your vacation.
For more guidance on the best rides around Universal Orlando, check out our complete coverage for every Universal Orlando park:
- Best rides in all of Universal Orlando Resort
- Best rides at Universal Studios Florida
- Best rides at Islands of Adventure
- Best rides at Volcano Bay water park (this article)
Ready for the Best Rides at Every Universal Theme Park?
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And because you’ll be assigned a single, dedicated agent who will take the time to learn about your family, they can offer ride recommendations for your kids while also making sure the rest of the group gets all the thrills they’re looking for.
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