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. You’ll never run out of things to do at Zoombezi Bay, and your admission include Zoo admission for the day!
photo: Grahm S. Jones
Whether you want to experience thrill and relaxation at Otter Banks, relax with adults only (and a beverage) in Croctail 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!
Zoombezi Bay 2021
Zoombezi Bay opens weekends starting May 22, and daily starting May 29! All attractions are expected to reopen and resume normal operations.
All Zoombezi Bay visits (including for Season Pass Holders and Gold Members) will require a dated, timed ticket, except after 3 pm to help ensure that social distancing and other precautions are followed appropriately.
Face coverings are required to enter, and if inside areas. Not required in dry outdoor areas and not permitted in water features.
Requirements may change or loosen throughout the season based on operating needs and health and safety precautions.
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. Season Pass Holders and Gold Members can visit Zoombezi Bay any day after 3 p.m. without a timed entry/reservation. It’s less crowded after 3 pm, so it’s a great time to visit!
If changes need to be made to a reservation, this must be done over the phone by calling Zoombezi Bay at (614) 645-3400.
Zoombezi Bay will also offer a discounted “After 4 p.m. ticket” for $12.99, plus fees. Other discount programs/offerings are tba.
Attractions
The Baboon Lagoon play structure will be open, but may have capacity restrictions. Availability is subject to change due to operational considerations.
The all-new Croctail Creek and The Sandbar opened in 2020 for ages 21+! This highly anticipated attraction features a lounge pool with in-water seating, new and expanded layout space, and a 700-foot-long adults-only lazy river complete with heated water to encourage total relaxation. The Sandbar features a daiquiri bar offering five varieties of frozen concoctions served in souvenir yard bottles as well as rum punch, hard seltzers and 12 beers on draft. The Sandbar will be able to be accessed for walk-up and swim-up service.
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 details about the Zoo here.
Columbus Zoo tickets and discounts, plus exhibits and rescues!
Yearly Events at Zoombezi Bay
All of these events are subject to change or cancellation
Zoombezi Bay Sneak Peek Weekend for Military Families
May 22-23, 2021. Special sneak peek for military families to thank them for their service. Military members can reserve tickets for them and family members for $5 each, and will receive a $5 Creature Cash to spend at the Zoo or waterpark. Include Zoo admission. There are 2800 tickets available for members of the military and their families.
Statewide High School Senior Celebration Day
This class of high school seniors have been through some major challenges, and it’s time to celebrate them! Zoombezi Bay invites seniors to join them (and other participating Ohio water parks for Statewide High School Senior Celebration Day on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Seniors can get into Zoombezi Bay for $20.21. Advance ticket purchase required, and school ID’s will be required at the gate. Tickets go on sale May 4.
World’s Largest Swim Lesson
June 17, 2021. 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 Summer Nights
Fridays, June 25 – July 30, 2021. Wild Tides Wave Pool stays open until 10 p.m. and features DJ, select attractions, 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 25: Trolls World Tour
July 2: The Mighty Ducks
July 9: Mary Poppins Returns
July 16: Black Panther
July 23: National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (during Christmas in July!)
July 30: Coco
Christmas in July
July 19 – 25, 2021. 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 10 p.m. during the Friday Summer Nights promotion).
Celebrations include daily giveaways at 12:25 pm, Holiday Rolling Celebration, Elves on Vacation, specialty food and gifts for sale, and more.
Stay late during Christmas in July on Friday, July 23 for Zoombezi Bay Summer Nights promotion. Some favorite rides and attractions, including Cyclone, SoundSurfer, Big Boa Falls and more, will be open until 10 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Wild Tides Wave Pool will transform into an aqua-theater for a special showing of holiday favorite, “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”.
photo: Grahm S. Jones
ZOMBIEzi Bay
Opens Fall 2021. From the website: “Because next fall the waves of Zoombezi Bay will be replaced by waves of terror. Introducing ZOMBIEzi Bay, where the undead rule the night. Explore a wicked new world with four haunted houses, two scare zones, the Sea Dragon roller coaster, other non-water rides and plenty of sinister surprises – if you dare.” Ages 13+. 2021 Gold Members and Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holders will receive complimentary parking and $10 off the admission price to ZOMBIEzi Bay. More details tba.
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.
- Children under 3: Free
- Children ages 3-9: $23.99 – $26.99
- Ages 10-59: $30.99 – $34.99
- Senior 60+: $23.99 – $26.99
- After 4 pm admission – $12.99
- 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 – $59.99. New for 2021, New this year, all slide reservations are completed on the wristbands themselves, from any location in the park. Sitting at the wave pool? You can book a return time. Grabbing something to eat? You can book a return time. No more walking through the park looking for reservation kiosks!
Zoombezi Bay Admission for Columbus Zoo Members
- Children under 3: Free
- Children ages 3-9: $22.99
- Ages 10-59: $26.99
- Senior 60+: $22.99
- 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. Purchase Bring-a-Friend tickets at the Season Pass entrance on Mondays and Wednesdays, while supplies last and park capacity permits. Valid reservations are REQUIRED for the Season Pass Holder or Gold Member purchasing the Bring-a-Friend tickets – no tickets will be sold to those who do not have a valid reservation for that day.
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.
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 2021 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. Program will continue in 2021, but details are tba.
COTA discounts will be honored at the Zoo’s Will Call window.
2021 Bonus Days at Zoombezi Bay
Summer of 2021 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 after school starts. A selection of your favorite attractions will be open.
The waterpark will be open for bonus days from tba for Summer 2021.
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 10 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.
Columbus Zoo tickets and discounts, plus exhibits and rescues!
photos provided by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Other articles of interest
- Free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Sunflower Fields in Columbus
- Nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus
- Creeking in Columbus: Creeks and other water to explore
- Best Places for Canoeing and Kayaking in Columbus
- Drive in Theatres in Ohio
- Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio
- Free outdoor movies around Columbus this Summer
- Farmers Markets in Columbus (and the changes for 2020)
- The most beautiful public gardens in Columbus
- Planetariums and Astronomy: Best places to see the stars in Ohio
- Walking labyrinths in Columbus and Central Ohio
- Caverns, animals, and more at Olentangy Indian Caverns
- Explore the Magical Fairy Trail in Granville
- Details about Splash Pads in Columbus for 2020
- Best places to pick berries in Columbus
- The best Dog Parks in Columbus
- Best photography locations in Columbus
Leave a Reply