Zoombezi Bay Waterpark is open; see details for 2020

Zoombezi Bay Waterpark is one of the top fun spots during summertime in Central Ohio! Featuring thrilling water slides, roaring rapids, lazy river, wave pool, and so much more.

photo: Grahm S. Jones

Whether you want to experience thrill and relaxation at Otter Banks, relax with adults only (and a beverage) in Crocktail Creek, or spend the day with your littles at Tiny Tides, it’s the perfect way to spend a hot summer day for all ages!

While Zoombezi Bay has been closed for the first part of the season, they are open now!

All Zoombezi Bay visits will now require a dated, timed ticket, including all Season Pass Holders and Gold Members. However, after 3 p.m., Season Pass Holders and Gold Members can visit Zoombezi Bay any day after 3 p.m. without a timed entry/reservation.

Timed Tickets for Zoombezi Bay

All guests, including season passholders, must reserve a timed ticket in advance. You can arrive anytime after your timed ticket, and stay until close. Timed tickets can be reserved up to 3 weeks in advance. There will be no day-of ticket sales at Zoombezi Bay. All tickets must be pre-purchased or pre-registered online prior to date of visit. However, Season Pass Holders and Gold Members can visit Zoombezi Bay any day after 3 p.m. without a timed entry/reservation.

Zoombezi Bay will also offer a discounted “After 4 p.m. ticket” for $12.99, plus fees. Other discount programs/offerings are currently unavailable.

All guests will enter through the Season Pass entrance off of the parking lot near the Wild Tides wave pool.

Attractions

Unavailable attractions during initial reopening include: Cargo Crossing at Baboon Lagoon, the tipping bucket at Baboon Lagoon, and the basketball activity at Baboon Lagoon and Sand Dollar Shores.

The Baboon Lagoon play structure will be open, but will have capacity restrictions. Availability is subject to change due to operational considerations.

The all-new Croctail Creek and The Sandbar will be unavailable upon the opening of Zoombezi Bay due to closure related construction delays. Both are expected to open by mid-July.

Modifications have also been implemented to the waterpark, including spacing out lounge chairs and arranging them in “pods” of two to four chairs to ensure social distancing; ground markings and/or signage to indicate appropriate distancing measures in queue lines; and one-way direction in some areas. Cabana rentals will be available for guest visits beginning on June 23. In compliance with the Stay Safe Ohio Order, capacity for deluxe and party cabanas is temporarily limited to no more than 10 guests through at least July 1.

Visits to Zoombezi Bay and Columbus Zoo

Zoombezi Bay is located at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium just north of Columbus, and includes admission to the Zoo on the same day, so it’s automatically a 2 for 1 deal! Get there early so you can enjoy both attractions! Note: Columbus Zoo also required timed tickets for admission this summer, so if you plan to visit both attractions, make coordinating reservations for the same day. Otherwise you may need to wait in line to get into the Zoo once space is available.

See the Columbus Zoo reopening details here.

Columbus Zoo reopens: What you need to know before you go

2020 Bonus Days at Zoombezi Bay

Summer of 2020 will be extended for Zoombezi Bay Bonus Days! On weeknights in late August and early September, visit Zoombezi Bay for one last splash of summer. A selection of your favorite attractions will be open, such as our Wild Tides wave pool and Cyclone.

The waterpark will be open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on August 19-21, August 24-28, and August 31-September 4.

Yearly Events at Zoombezi Bay

NOTE: All of these events are subject to change or cancellation once the reopening plan is released.

World’s Largest Swim Lesson

July 16, 2020. Basic 30 minutes swim lesson for kids ages 2-12. Participants get $10 admission for the day. Season pass holders and gold memberships are free as always. Guests accompanying the participants will need to pay regular admission or present a season pass.

Zoombezi Bay Family Nights

Fridays, June 26 – July 31, 2020. Wild Tides Wave Pool stays open until 11 p.m. and features music, animals, character ambassadors, and Dive-in Movies. Regular admission covers the entire day/evening.

Wild Tides Wave Pool turns into an aqua-theater after dark featuring great movies!

June 26: Season Pass and Gold Member Exclusive event, featuring Pokemon Detective Pikachu
July 3: The Goonies
July 10: Wonder Park
July 17: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse
July 24: A Christmas Story (as part of Christmas in July)
July 31: Doolittle

Christmas in July

TBA for 2020! Christmas in July celebration will feature festive activities from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the waterpark staying open until 8 p.m. (or 11 p.m. during the Family Nights promotion). Details tba

Stay late during Christmas in July on Friday, July 24 for Zoombezi Bay Family Nights promotion. Some favorite rides and attractions, including Cyclone, SoundSurfer, Big Boa Falls and more, will be open until 11 p.m. At 9 p.m., the Wild Tides Wave Pool will transform into an aqua-theater for a special showing of “A Christmas Story” a holiday favorite.

photo: Grahm S. Jones

Zoombezi Bay Sneak Peek Weekend for Military Families

May tba. Special sneak peek for military families to thank them for their service. Tickets can be reserved for $5 each, and you’ll receive a $5 Creature Cash to spend at the Zoo or waterpark. Include Zoo admission. CANCELLED for 2020

Admission and Discounts

Admission is cheaper if purchased online in advance – you can even purchase on your phone when you arrive at the park, and show the receipt on your phone for entry. There is a $2 processing fee per online order. Ticket prices may change once announced for 2020.

Children under 3: Free
Children ages 3-9: $23.99 – $26.99
Ages 10-59: $29.99 – $34.99
Senior 60+: $23.99 – $26.99
Parking: $10

Extras

Lockers available to rent for $10-$20 per day (season pass available)
Cabana Rental: $79-$249. These are totally worth the cost if you have a large group (especially if you can share the cost). Your cabana includes shade and space for 8-15 guests, lounge chairs, dining table/chairs, pin-code safe, and mini fridge. Standard and Deluxe cabanas also include free bottles of water, full food and drink menu, and private cabana attendant service.
Zoompass: skip the wait in line, or skip the line with a regular or premium Zoompass. Pricing is $11.99 – $24.99.

Zoombezi Bay Admission for Columbus Zoo Members

Children under 3: Free
Children ages 3-9: $23.99
Ages 10-59: $25.99
Senior 60+: $23.99
Parking: Free

Season passes for Zoombezi Bay

Plan to go more often? Season passes are the way to go if you plan to visit 2+ times. Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holders and Gold Members get early access to the waterpark starting at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Monday and Wednesdays, you can also take advantage of the Bring–A–Friend deal, for which you can bring up to 2 friends for $12.99/each to Zoombezi Bay.

Season passes for Zoombezi Bay are $74.99/child and $104.99 for ages 10 and up. Gold Individual Membership (includes FREE entry to the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay, FREE rides, FREE animal feedings and FREE admission to the 4-D Theater) are $124.99/$154.99.

All Zoombezi Bay Season Passes have been extended through December 31, 2020, allowing Season Pass Holders access to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for an additional four months.

Season Pass Early Bird Sale

Sale typically held in December. Great Christmas present! Online prices Zoombezi Bay Season Pass range from $49.99 – $79.99 during this Early Bird Sale, and passes include admission to The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium during waterpark operating season from Memorial Day – Labor Day. Passes include extra splash hours, Dive-In Movies, discounted guest passes, and parking. Upgrade for gold pass available.

Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay 2 day discount

NOTE: NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2020 AT THIS TIME

Get admission to both parks for 2 different days with a big discount! For children ages 2-9 and seniors 60+, the combo price is $31.99, while ages 10 and up the price is $43.99 (price is for Franklin County residents – add $5 for non-Franklin). Zoombezi Bay tickets are only good through the operating season, which is September 2. See details here.

COTA Bus Service and Zoo Bus Discount

Ride the COTA Zoo Bus from downtown Columbus or at Griggs Dam Park and Ride or Dublin Park and Ride to save on admission. You’ll get $10 off admission to Zoombezi Bay, and $3 admission to the Zoo. See details and schedule here. Not available for 2020.

Zoombezi Bay Hours

Opens at 10:30 am throughout most of the season, and closes at 7 pm on most nights, except special events. Wild Tides Wave Pool is open until 11 pm on select Friday nights through the summer for Family Nights. Hours change after back to school week to special weekend hours and weekday Bonus Days. Check here for full schedule.

Check out Columbus Zoo discounts and events here, as well as the Columbus Zoo reopening details here.

Columbus Zoo Tickets, Discounts, and Upcoming Free Days

photos provided by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium