Jungle ride, Siam Park, Tenerife. Image courtesy of Siam Park
As I’m whooshed from side to side and down the slide, I hold on tightly to the handles beside me and try not to scream. I’m with my friend Kirstie (who blogs at Family Adventure Project) and two strangers, and the inflatable which is carrying us is moving so fast that I feel disorientated.
We splash into the pool at the end of the ride, to be met by a lifeguard, who holds our inflatable so that we can climb down from it. I feel exhilarated and can’t wait to try another water ride – Kirstie’s grinning too.
Siam Park
We’re at Siam Park in Tenerife, the top water park in the world, according to Trip Advisor. The park is spread over 7.5 acres of landscaped gardens and is designed to look like a Thai jungle village. The structure of the slides is hidden behind planting and water features, and the shops, bars and restaurants are housed in Thai-style wooden buildings.
The water ride structures are camouflaged with planting at Siam Park. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Tenerife
It’s a Saturday afternoon in January and the weather is a comfortable 20°C. Tenerife, and the rest of the Canary Islands, are less than 70 miles from Africa (although they are politically part of Spain) and enjoy a warm climate all year round, making them a popular winter sun destination, especially with Brits. We’re here on a group trip with the British Guild of Travel Writers, and this is a brief visit to the park before flying back to London.
Lazy River
Mai Thai River is the park’s lazy river – and very relaxing it is too. It’s the first thing which Kirstie and I head for once we’ve changed into our swimming costumes and been given lockers and towels by the friendly park staff. It takes us about 40 minutes to float around the river on inflatables. Later I learn that the river is 900 metres long, and is said to be the longest lazy river in the world. For most of the river journey we float gently through lush gardens, but there’s also a fun rapids section, and a transparent tunnel which takes you through an aquarium containing sharks.
Lazy river, Siam Park, Tenerife. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Water rides
There are water rides to suit all ages and levels of bravery in the park. The Lost City is a huge water play area which is specifically designed for very young children, and I can easily imagine toddlers happily spending all day there. I like the fact that there’s a wide water slide there which babies and toddlers can slide down with someone next to them, to help them to get used to the water slide experience.
Toddlers’ water slide, Siam Park, Tenerife. Copyright Gretta Schifano
There’s also a bunch of sun loungers and umbrellas facing the play area, as there are at places around the park.
Lost City play area, Siam Park, Tenerife. Copyright Gretta Schifano
There’s plenty to keep older children, teenagers and adults entertained too. I’m pleased that most of the rides involve sliding down on a single, a double or a four-person inflatable, as I’ve found that I’ve grazed my back a few times going on slides without inflatables at other water parks. We go on as many rides as we can, and all of them are brilliant fun.
The biggest ride in the park is the Tower of Power, and we don’t go anywhere near it.
Tower of Power, Siam park, Tenerife. Image courtesy of Siam Park
At 28 metres high, it’s a giant water slide which you hurtle down at speeds of up to 80 km/hr, if you so desire. At the end of the drop you shoot through the shark aquarium – but you’d be going too fast to see anything, I reckon.
Siam Beach
Siam Beach is closed for renovation when we visit, but park director Christoph Kiessling takes us to see it. It’s an impressive artificial beach which spreads over 9,500 square metres.
Siam Beach, Siam Park, Tenerife. Image courtesy of Siam Park
The beach is made of white sand, imported from the Algarve, around a vast heated freshwater pool. At one side of the pool is a wave pool which can create waves of more than three metres high – Christoph tells us that these are the largest artificial waves in the world, and that they’re big enough for surfing, although when the park is open to the public, the waves are set at a much lower height.
Waves at Siam Beach, Siam Park, Tenerife. Image courtesy of Siam Park
Cabins
Above the beach area there are some luxurious private cabins for hire. The cabins look very comfortable and secluded, and one even has a jacuzzi, but I can’t imagine my family making much use of them, as I know that we’d spend all of our time on rides or at the beach if we were all here together.
Restaurants
The park has three restaurants and two snack bars. We had lunch at the Thai House, which offers Thai food as well as the usual chips, soft drinks, fruit, pastries and other snacks. I had vegetable spring rolls and rice, and it was good.
Verdict
I’d like to see Siam Beach when it reopens, as it looks like it will be amazing. I really enjoyed my brief visit to Siam Park and I think that my teenage kids would enjoy it there a lot. You could easily spend a whole day at the park and still want to go back again, as there’s so much to do there. It’s great that there are options for all ages at the park. It’s a beautiful, relaxing environment to spend time in, and I’d definitely recommend it as a fun place for a family day out.
Cost
Entrance to Siam Park costs from 34 euros for adults and from 23 euros for children of three to 11 years old. There’s no charge to use the sun loungers or sunshades at the park. There are more expensive tickets on offer to include extras such as Fastpass access, unlimited drinks and snacks and free towels and lockers.
More about water parks
Check out my reviews of other water parks:
Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, Orlando
More about Tenerife
To find out more about Tenerife, I recommend the Tenerife Marco Polo Spiral Guide
Disclosure: We were guests of Siam Park, along with fellow members of the British Guild of Travel Writers on this trip.
Wow, this looks amazing! As soon as my little boy is a bit older (he’s two now) we will be of to a water park as he loves the water 🙂 Would love you to link this up to my new travel linky if you have time #MyFavouriteTrip Thanks, Polly
Our Seaside Baby recently posted…Memories of Venice
Thanks for commenting – I’ll pop over to have a look.
Hi Polly, I tried to link up, but it didn’t work. I’ve commented on the post though 🙂
My parents and brother have been here and all loved it – I have to say I’d be tempted by the Tower as well. I went to a waterpark for the first time in years on Gran Canaria last year with my daughter and some friends and had so much fun.
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…My family travel wish list – with a side of luxury
You’re very brave! Like the rides where you sit on an inflatable best!
We loved Siam Park when we went to Tenerife too, it’s huge and so much to do. We really liked the Asian influences too.
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Where To Celebrate Chinese New Year In London
I am not a massive fan of water parks but have to admit that this one looks pretty great; I can imagine my children would love to spend the day here too! I’d probably squirrel myself away in one of the restaurants!
I’d love to go here it looks such fun. That beach is gorgeous, I could see me sunning myself there…. and freshwater too, perfect!
The lazy river sound ACE! I would love to float down there under bright blue skies! I really need to thinkabout booking a holiday somewhere warm as this UK weather is so drizzly at the moment. I’ll be checking flights out to tenerife! x
80km per hr, hurtling through sharks?? Sounds terrifying, but worth a go. I wonder if I’d be brave enough to try it….hmmm, not sure. My 6 year old son would be there in a flash though, if he was allowed!
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Six reasons to visit Alnwick, Northumberland
This sounds just up our street and just the thing in the winter months! I have heard really good things about Siam Park from others and the boys love a water park. We stayed on one in Egypt a few years ago and it was brilliant fun.
Wow, staying on a water park sounds fab! What’s the name of the one that you stayed at?
This place looks amazing!!! I love waterparks.
It really is fabulous!
I so need some sunshine. Especially on a wet and grey day. My boys would LOVE this
Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) recently posted…Save Energy by installing the right blinds
That looks like such amazing fun! We love a good water park x
Sonia recently posted…Epson Eco Tank ET-2500 Printer Review
This place looks amazing – hopefully we will get to take the kids one year – maybe when sebby is a bit bigger and can enjoy it too
Kara recently posted…A View from The Shard
Oh this looks amazing and to be in the sunshine right now…..I’m so jealous!! What a fun waterpark!
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It really is a wonderful place and, as you say, great for any age, families, singles or couples! Robert loved the rides when we went and I loved the lazy river and the brilliant beach. The wave pool was fantastic – next time you’ll definitely have to try it!
Did any of you brave the Tower of Power?
I don’t think they did that one – but they certainly whizzed around others and went on one ride (the Mekong Rapids) three times (to Brian’s dismay!) They went on the Kinaree too I think.
Sarah Ebner recently posted…A Very Sunny Holiday in Domes of Elounda, Crete
I think this would be brilliant for children as it’s so safe. I felt it was clean and the staff friendly. Definitely worth a day here if on the Island.
Yes, it’s great place for families – or for anyone really!
I have some great memories of Siam Park from several years ago. Hubby and son both tried the Tower of Power whilst I stood watching- in shock! They persuaded me to try one ride and I was a complete wuss so I remained on the beach the rest of the day. It was cloudy so my husband didn’t put any sun cream on – big mistake, he had a face like a lobster for the rest of the holidays.
But they both loved it!
Which ride did you do? There are some really gentle ones too – you should have spent the day on the lazy river! Your husband and son must be very brave to have tried the Tower of Power!