A CARIBBEAN-themed indoor waterpark is just a few hours from the UK – and is a tropical 29C all year round.
Aqualibi in Belgium is part of the Walibi theme park.
Inside is a huge wave swimming pool, with ‘four different levels of waves’.
There is also the relaxation pool is more low-key as well as the 36C lagoon pool, both with whirlpools and hot tubs although kids under 3 are not allowed in the lagoon pool.
And surrounding the pools are 10 slides to choose from, four of which are new.
The newest are Pomakai which is a ‘hard level’ slide with two-person rings that go up to 31mph, and Banzai, a medium level, two-person water rollercoaster.
Wiki Wiki is a side-by-side mat race that travels 147m and the easiest Waikiki is an 18m high slide.
Other slides include the Rapido, Flash, Surf and Xtreme, as well as Jet and Bi-Bob
And little kids can enjoy the Kiddie Bay or Mini Beach with splash fountains and smaller slides.
You don’t need to leave for snacks or gifts either.
Palm Beach, just steps from the pool, is a serving burgers, snacks and ice cream.
And the Aqualibi gift shop sells everything from swimming gear to toys and snow globes.
Previous swimmers have raved about it as being a “great family day out”.
One person even said: “This is the best indoor waterpark I have ever been to!”
A second agreed, saying: “Best waterpark we’ve ever visited — hands down!”
There are some strict rules on what you can wear in the pool – the website states: “Bermudas, shorts, strings, tangas, pareos en surfer’s wetsuits are not allowed in Aqualibi.”
What is allowed are “bathing briefs, bathing boxer shorts, bikinis, the one-piece swimsuit, lycra swimming costumes reaching down to just below the knees and the elbows”.
Tickets are as little as €13.50 for guests between 1m and 1.2m, while taller guests are €35
It is open all year round from 10am to 8pm, with themed events including the current “Aqua-lloween” with “pirate-haunted river” and Bloody Burgers at the restaurant, along with face painting and closing parties.
Visit on Fridays and Saturdays for late night openings until 10pm.
If you don’t fancy flying, you can get to the waterpark by train.
Brits can hop on the Eurostar at London St Pancras, which goes directly to Brussels.
The waterpark is then an hour by train from the city.
Or you can fly to Brussels from the UK, which takes just over an hour when flying from London.
Earlier this year, a n ew £48million indoor waterpark opened in France, with Europe’s “only aquatic cinema”.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
Futuroscope also has a futuristic lazy river, eight water slides and smaller zones for kids.
If you don’t want to leave the UK, here’s how to find the country’s biggest indoor waterpark which also has tropical weather all year round.
