8 Top Yas Waterworld Experiences

Legs intertwined, arms crossed in front of your chest, head back, chin down, and body taut, you await the countdown. “Three, two, one,” after which the floor swings open, and you plunge down a steep and looping clear tube slide. Off you go, propelled by gravity and the force of cascading water, until your momentum runs out and you come to a full stop. It feels like a lifetime of uncontrolled sliding, but it’s a mere 10 seconds from start to stop.

This is one of the top Yas Waterworld experiences. It’s called Liwa Loop, a highly intense, looping-style body speed slide. To begin the ride, you go inside a single-person, transparent capsule, get into the correct posture, and wait for the operator to insert the key into the lock to trigger the countdown.

You will know beforehand that the floor is a trap door, and once it opens, you will fall down the chute. Even so, the anticipation of it happening plus the abruptness of the drop make this slide one of the most thrilling attractions at Abu Dhabi’s largest waterpark.

If you’re planning a trip to Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, here are a few other adrenaline-inducing and unique experiences, aside from Liwa Loo,p that you must try with your friends and family.

1. Rush Rider

Rush Rider is a bodyboarding attraction at Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s beginner-friendly; complete bodyboarding and surfing novices are completely welcome here, and there are instructors to teach you basic bodyboarding techniques.

That’s not to say it’s easy, however. If you’ve never balanced on a board before, prepare for how difficult it can be to stay aboard and afloat when faced with the onslaught of Rush Rider’s relentless waves. It’s hard, even when you’re lying stomach-down on the board.

Once you’ve mastered the prone form, you can slowly try the crouching and, later, standing positions.

2. Bubbles Barrel

Bubbles Barrel is a next-level waterboarding (surfing) attraction. A double rip curl wave machine generates a persistently swirling wave—the world’s largest sheet wave.

If you love to surf, you no longer have to travel the world just to experience that perfect barrel wave or to practice and test your wave-riding skills. Get on your board at Bubbles Barrel and surf the big wave as much as you want.

By the way, Bubbles Barrel is for the brave but not for the unskilled. You must pass a skills threshold test at Rush Rider before you’ll be allowed on the Bubbles Barrel.

3. Jebel Drop

Jebel Drop is another body speed slide like Liwa Loop. However, unlike Liwa Loop, this one has an open flume instead of an enclosed tube. It takes courage (and more) to go down this slide, but it is an experience for the books.

Jebel Drop is the region’s tallest speed slide, and it drops you from a height of 10 stories on a steep, straight path down. The whole slide ride takes approximately 12 seconds from start to full stop.

4. Hamlool’s Humps

Hamlool’s Humps is an aptly named attraction. Another body speed slide like Liwa Loop and Jebel Drop, this one provides a different flavor (and challenge) with its two humps.

One moment you’re plummeting down an open flume like the one found in Jebel Drop, and the next moment you’re untethered and “flying” (feels like it, anyway) as the first hump makes you feel marginally airborne until you land on the slide’s next section. Recover and repeat the thrill on the next hump.

5. Dawwama

Dawwama is a tornado water coaster, the largest of its kind in the world. It’s a six-seater ride and perfect for groups of friends and families who want to ride together.

You and the other members of your party will sit facing each other on a round raft. Once you’re ready, the raft will be pushed off the platform to plunge down a long slide to gain momentum, after which it will rapidly zoom into a 20-meter-high funnel.

6. Falcons Falaj

Falcon’s Falaj is another six-person water coaster. It’s the longest six-person water coaster in the world. This one doesn’t have a funnel, but it will take you on an exhilarating 300-meter ride down steep drops, crazy twists, and sharp bends.

7. Yadi Yas

Let the force of the water swirl all around and push you inexorably forward and from side to side. Yadi Yas is a crazy river (white water) experience. Sit on a two-person tube and let the waves take you on a crazy ride.

8. Pearl-Diving Experience

The people of Abu Dhabi were originally pearl fishermen and traders. Yas Waterworld pays tribute to one of the UAE’s oldest occupations through its pearl diving experience.

You’ll put goggles on, dive into a deep tank, and gather oysters. At the surface, a pearl diving staff member will help you open your catch to collect the pearls inside. If you want, the staff may even set your pearls in jewelry.