Watercity Waterpark Crete — Attraction in Municipality of Chersonissos

We went on a Thursday, booked it online so we got the transfers from our hotel, cost €79 but was definitely worth it. Picked up at 9:25, it opens at 10am, our pick up time was 4:30 so we was back at the hotel for 5pm. Basically first ones through the door. You don’t have to print the tickets, a screen shot is fine and they had ours there. You pay €6 for the lockers which includes a €2 deposit which you get back or is taken off your bill at the end. This is extra from the shop, it’s a magnetic yellow wrist band, and didn’t work on the same arm as my Apple Watch. The lockers are big (See photo of size 12 trainer for reference). The floor is hot!! We didn’t wear anything on our feet, we stepped in the water splashes on the floor. They do run a pipe in a few places that sprays the water but not nearly in enough places. The floor is also not soft so we had sore feet the next day. There are plenty of sun loungers / seats which was nice. Im not the most confident/strongest of swimmers. We were in the wave pool which is slopped so you can still feel safe. You aren’t allowed to hold on the sides unless it’s a rail. A kid (7ish) got swept a bit and the lifeguard just told him not to hold on and if he can swim - I ended up grabbing him and got him to my partner who was tall enough to lift him out the water to catch his breath before finding his Dad. It is cashless so everything is scanned on your wrist bands, it’s capped at €100 per band. I think the kids can use their own ones to pay, not sure but maybe be aware. Food is big portion wise! We got a pizza for €9.50 and a chocolate crepe for €4.50. We shared as 2 adults and couldn’t eat both. We saw a lot of waste from other tables not realising at first. A tub of ice cream was €5 and a cone was €3; again the tub portion was big. We had 1 vanilla and 1 Italian biscuit. The lifeguards on the slides were brilliant! Very quick and reassuring, checking on everyone if they seem a bit wiped out or struggling to get out at the end. The sidewinder is brilliant, however make sure your elbows are tucked in if you are the one sitting at the back. Caught an elbow on the side as we was coming down at speed, but of a friction burn that’s still causing bother a week later. There is a big difference between the lazy river and crazy river!! As a woman I had to use the yellow rubber rings along with teenage boys, men use blue and kids have an orange colour. I wore white swim stuff and now it is dyed yellow, so be aware. There are some rides you can use the 2 person ring. The website states you can’t wear certain over shirts / coverings. As long as it’s not going to hold you down it will be accepted. I wore a bikini and then a white tight mini crop top and it was fine. I’m not the biggest of people, going down the body slide cyclone was a bit painful on bone-y parts and my lower back. The water is also very deep in which you drop into. There’s a button for the jets on the whirlpool / jacuzzi bit. I took my iPhone with me in a lanyard waterproof pouch. Not once did I get hit in the face with it. My hat that had my ponytail through, flew off my head and I was told to climb back onto the slide to get it.

Overall I 100% recommend, I...

One of two water parks in the area, closer to Heraklion, so for us staying near Hersonissos it was a slightly longer trek, but was definitely worth it, and another 5 stars. We'd heard people saying they're the same, but they're really not. Yes, most water parks could be considered samey but there's enough variation to make here worth a visit. Positive points below:

1. Very well run - lockers, changing facilities and sunbeds aplenty. The staff are all super friendly and efficient, so queues are down to a minimum.
2. Food and drinks are reasonable priced and situated throughout the park.
3. The rides are rated from 1 to 3 based on speed and adrenalin levels, which is useful if (like me) you're a little tentative when it comes to your need for speed! That said, we did them all and I'm still here, so nothing too scary and all were enjoyed. There are quite a few muli-lane racer type rides, so fun for families and friends to race.
4. Children's area - we don't have young children, so I'm only going by what we saw, but this park has a decent sized area for younger ones, right in front of a large seating area. All monitored by lifeguards who I never saw just chatting away to each other. Safety is clearly top of their agenda which is nice when there's potential for slips and trips. There is even a permanent on site doctor sitting central in the park, waiting just in case.

We went on a Saturday, so it was busy, but it never felt too busy. We never queued for longer than 5 minutes (apart from one ride which took longer and had to clear before the next people could begin) and had our choice of area to base ourselves.

It's on the top of a hill/mountain so you'll need to arrange transport up there. We travelled from Hersonissos, taking the local bus to the village of Kokkini Hanni (cost €2 each max) and then got a taxi up (€8-10), but I understand there are transfers etc. There are deals to be had in most towns and villages for the entrance fee.

I'm not going to compare it to the other park in the area because there are enough differences to make them both worth a visit, but Watercity is a fab day out and should definitely be on your list. You'll feel safe (and scared if you're not an adrenalin junkie!!) and will have a great day out...

We (family of 2 adults, 1 child (10yr, 140cm) arrived about 1,5hrs after opening time. The facility is a bit outof bounds, so having your transport arrangements sorted beforehand is advised opposed to a more expensive, spur of the moment, taxifare. Online booking is advised, for convienience, as well as the option of purchasing a flexi-ticket (approx 1€ extra, given that you spend the 2.95€ voucher that this ticket provides).

We were politely greeted, and well informed upon entry. All purchases within the premises are charged on your ticket - wristband. Be advised- a 100€ fee will be charged should you lose it. The immediate area, containing a shop, security locker area, showers and changing rooms were intuitive and fairly clean. Lockers are rented for a fee, and purchased from the shop.

Do bring your flipflops, as the ground is absolutely scorching hot.

The park has strategically placed maps, making in-park navigating a breeze.

Seating/sunbeds are available for free/included, but might be out of stock. There are however ample grassed areas for you to spread your towel and sunbathing body upon. The facility was seriously crowded, but did by no means feel cramped. Queue time for the attractions on the other hand was absolutely horrible. Waiting approx 20-30mins for a waterslide is abysmal at best, especially when the reason is poor customer logistics handling by the staff/the lifeguards. Since this basically -is- the attraction, it deserves a proper improvement.

The lifeguards do also deserve a proper thumbs up for their level of vigilance, as well as their mere presence. On the spot corrections towards unwanted behaviour, without overdoing it, and allways visible and polite. Props!

Food and beverages are a tad overpriced, as well as a wee bit below expected standard. It fills you tho, but you dont crave more. Fill your tummy well prior to your visit. Crete can do better than this.

At closing time you are given ample time to leave. But keep in mind that the wristband- charged expenses is paid upon leaving; making it a lenghty endeavour if you are the late bird out.

All in all - a good waterpark, that is left a bit limping due to long waiting lines and sub standard food (especially considered the...