8 Best Water Rides at Universal Orlando (Updated 2023)

Universal Orlando is famous for bringing guests into popular movies and television shows through immersive rides, thrilling attractions, and engaging live shows.

That said, a little-known secret about this world-class theme park is how great its water rides are.

There are eight (8) awesome water rides parkgoers should not miss on their next trip to Universal Orlando:

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides

Follow along to learn about the eight (8) best water rides at Universal Orlando, including where they’re located, what to expect while riding, and how to avoid getting entirely too wet.

Where Are Universal Orlando’s Water Rides?

Universal Orlando is divided into three amazing theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.

For many years, guests could enjoy water attractions at all the parks; however, as of January 2023, Universal Studios Florida closed its last two wet rides with no reported plans to refurbish them. 

For now, parkgoers looking for water rides can visit Islands of Adventure or head over to Universal’s water park at Volcano Bay.

4 Water Rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure may not be a water park, but guests are still sure to get soaked on any of its water rides.

1) Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

First up on the list is Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, an Islands of Adventure classic.

On this water-based roller coaster, parkgoers zoom along in a toboggan-style vehicle accompanied by Dudley Do-Right himself.

As the action comes to a close, guests find themselves on the edge of a 75-foot (22.9 m) drop that puts Disney’s Splash Mountain to shame. 

Due to the intensity of this drop and the thrilling nature of this attraction, guests must be at least 44 inches (112 cm) tall to ride, and it is not recommended for small children.

Riders under 48 inches (122 cm) brave enough to go over the falls must board with a supervising companion.

2) Jurassic Park River Adventure

Universal always looks for ways to build bigger and better, and Jurassic Park River Adventure is no exception. 

When this ride opened, it boasted the largest theme park drop ever built, and parkgoers have loved it ever since.

The prehistoric adventure begins as guests board a river raft and venture into Jurassic Park. 

Quickly, the journey turns from a serene river cruise to a narrow escape from carnivorous dinosaurs.

There’s no way to avoid the ride’s 85-foot (26 m) drop, as when riders come face to face with a lifesize T-Rex, it’s either run or be eaten.

Park guests must be 42 inches (107 cm) tall to enjoy the Jurassic Park River Adventure, and anyone under 48 inches (122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.

3) Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges

There’s no way to avoid getting drenched on Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges as you chase after the evil Bluto to save Olive Oyl from his clutches. 

On this classic river rafting ride, a giant octopus and wild rapids stand between riders and Popeye’s beloved Olive Oyl. 

If a daring water rescue isn’t exciting enough, parkgoers also need to watch for surprise blasts from the water cannons atop the Me Ship, The Olive next door.

Guests of all ages will get a kick out of this ride but must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall to board the barge. 

For safety reasons, riders under 48 inches (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion.

4) One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Rounding up the list of best water rides at Islands of Adventure is one for the kids. 

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a Dr. Seuss-inspired carousel-type ride with a fountain at its center.

Onboard each flying fish is controls for the vehicle. As the ride progresses, a Seussian rhyme instructs riders on maneuvering their fish to avoid getting splashed.

With no height requirements, this ride is perfect for the whole family, but kiddos under 48 inches (122 cm) do require a supervising companion.

4 Water Rides at Universal’s Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s official water park, so all the rides are water rides.

That said, with pools, slides, and lazy rivers, Volcano Bay is the place to be for anything water themed, and the following list highlights the best of the best.

1) Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides

Board a multi-person raft headed straight for lava tubes on Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides.

After cruising through dark caverns, the raft launches onto a funnel leaving riders hanging in mid-air! 

The splashes don’t stop there, though, and the raft continues soaking guests as it makes its way back to the beginning of the ride.

Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides is not for the faint of heart, and parkgoers must be 42 inches (107 cm) to experience this thrill ride. 

Guests under 48 inches (122 cm) require a supervising companion, and there is a maximum weight limit of 850 lb (386 kg) combined.

2) Ko’okiri Body Plunge

Volcano Bay is based on a fictional mythology surrounding the park’s volcanic centerpiece, Krakatau. 

Guests can honor Krakatau’s Volcano God Vol by taking a spin on Ko’okiri Body Plunge. 

This solo rider water slide is perfect for adrenaline junkies – with a 70-degree, 125-foot (38 m) drop, Ko’orkiri Body Plunge is no joke.

For comfort and safety, guests must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall and less than 300 lb (136 kg) to slide.

3) Krakatau Aqua Coaster

Part roller coaster and all water ride, guests will disembark the Krakatau Aqua Coaster thoroughly soaked.

Guests board a four-person canoe set to careen down the volcano, twisting and turning until they break through one final waterfall.

This ride is ideal for adults, teens, and tweens who don’t mind a thrilling roller coaster.

The minimum height requirement is 42 inches (107 cm), riders under 48 inches (122 cm) must have a supervising companion, and the weight limit for the canoe is 700 lb (317 kg) combined.

4) Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

Bravely drop down one of the two twin slides on the Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides. 

This ride ranks as one of the scariest water rides at Universal Orlando, and it’s no secret it was made for the most courageous of park-goers. 

Two guests plunge through trap doors, racing down individual tubes that twist and curve around each other, ending with one final splash in the calm pool at the bottom of Krakatau.

All guests must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) to ride and weigh less than 300 lb (136 kg).

Conclusion

The best way to cool down on a hot Florida day is on a water ride, and Universal Orlando doesn’t disappoint.

Currently, Universal Studios Florida doesn’t offer any water attractions, but Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay have got you covered.

The eight (8) best water rides at Universal Orlando are:

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (Islands of Adventure)
• Jurassic Park River Adventure (Islands of Adventure)
• Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (Islands of Adventure)
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Islands of Adventure)
• Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides (Volcano Bay)
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge (Volcano Bay)
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster (Volcano Bay)
• Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides (Volcano Bay).