Abu Dhabi’s Yas Waterworld adds 20 new rides

Abu Dhabi is enhancing its tourism appeal this summer with the launch of 20 new rides and experiences at Yas Waterworld on Saadiyat Island, open from 1 July 2025. 

 

This is the park’s first major expansion since it opened in 2013 and takes the total ride count to more than 60, cementing its position as one of the largest water parks in the Middle East.

 

This expansion is part of a much bigger plan, with 10 years’ worth of new attractions on the way, including another new area opening in 2026 and plans to "add at least one new attraction every year", according to Dr Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral CEO. 

 

The latest Yas Waterworld attractions are located in the newly opened ‘Lost City’ zone, a 13,455 square-metre themed area with highlights including the Al Falaj Race, the UAE’s first side-by-side duelling tube raft ride, and Al Daloob, a log-flume adventure featuring the region’s first barrel twist raft ride designed for three people.

 

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Also new, Mataha Madness offers a maze-like experience with sharp turns and drops, while Dawwama Junior adapts the park’s well-known tornado slide – the world’s first hydromagnetic-powered, six-person tornado water coaster – into a gentler, kid-friendly version. Bandit’s Playground splash zone features interactive water elements.

 

There are also new themed dining options, including with indoor seating, following feedback from visitors, as well as longer opening hours starting 1 July, to include time in the park after dark. 

 

These introductions extend the park’s existing attractions, including Jebel Drop, the UAE’s steepest water slide, and Falcon’s Falaj, the longest mammoth water coaster in the Middle East. 

 

Elsewhere on Yas Island, summer 2025’s calendar includes the arrival of Harry Potter: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that runs from 25 July through mid-September and showcases original props, costumes and interactive displays from the wizarding world.