These Mississippi Coast water parks are open for summer 2023. Here’s the list.

Justin Mitchell, Mary Perez
·3 min read

Summer 2023 is almost here, but water parks and community splash pads open on or before Memorial Day to kick off family fun across the Mississippi Coast.

There are water parks in Waveland, Gulfport and Wiggins. All of them are popular with locals and tourists, as they are a quick drive from Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Mobile and the Louisiana Northshore.

Here’s a list of Mississippi Coast water parks open for the 2023 season and all of the details, including amenities and cost:

Gulf Islands Waterpark, Gulfport

This water park is right off Interstate 10 in the largest city on the Coast and has slides, kid pools and a lazy river for floating. They also host events all summer long. Adjacent to the water park is Zip ‘N Fun Adventure Park, with ropes courses and ziplines for adults and children.

Pricing: Season passes cost $64.99 per person and get you unlimited access to the water park. Daily tickets for people over 42 inches in height are $46.99, and it’s $29.00 for anyone under 42 inches tall. You can also buy tickets online and reserve your date for a discount.

Hours and availability: Gulf Islands is open from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through July 31. The park is open weekends in August (Saturdays until 6 p.m. and Sundays until 5 p.m.) and closes Sept. 3. Check the Gulf Island online calendar for more times and additional information.

Address: 17200 16th St., Gulfport

Phone: 228-328-1266

The Riptide Racer waterslide is a cool and colorful way to have fun at Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulfport, which opens on weekends beginning May 13. New this year is Barefoot Bay Kids wet play area for little swimmers.
The Riptide Racer waterslide is a cool and colorful way to have fun at Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulfport, which opens on weekends beginning May 13. New this year is Barefoot Bay Kids wet play area for little swimmers.
Visitors at Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulfport float down the Lazy Pearl River, which is longer than three football fields and carries people on tubes around all of the park’s attractions.
Visitors at Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulfport float down the Lazy Pearl River, which is longer than three football fields and carries people on tubes around all of the park’s attractions.

Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, Waveland

Known by locals as the “Wave Pool,” Buccaneer Bay was rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina and has views of the Waveland beach. It’s open to the public but is also part of Buccaneer Bay camp ground, so you can plan a weekend trip to enjoy this water park that’s about 45 minutes away from New Orleans.

The park’s wave pool can generate eight wave patterns, from deep ocean swells to body surfing waves. Ride six-foot waves on an innertube at Pirate’s Lagoon wave pool, or speed down one of the waterslides. Lil’ Smuggler’s Cove kiddie pool is for young children.

Buccaneer Bay added new attractions for summer 2023, including three new waterslides and a climbing tower and pirate ship.

Pricing: A ticket for someone over 4 feet tall is $19; tickets for those under 4 feet tall are $13 each. Twilight passes (from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) are available at a discounted rate. Group and season passes are available at the water park.

Hours and availability: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day

Address: 1150 South Beach Boulevard, Waveland

Phone: 228-467-3822

The wave pool is the centerpiece of Buccaneer Bay Water Park on the beach in Waveland.
The wave pool is the centerpiece of Buccaneer Bay Water Park on the beach in Waveland.

Flint Creek Water Park, Wiggins

Flint Creek Water Park is on a campground in Wiggins, about 35 minutes north of Gulfport. The water park, known as Watertown USA, is open to the public and has waterslides and tube rides using water from the lake. The 650-acre lake is popular for swimming, boating and water skiing.

Pricing: General access is $12. Observers and children 3 and under get access for $3.

Hours and availability: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 1216 Parkway Drive, Wiggins

Slides that plunge into the lake make Flint Creek Water Park in Wiggins a favorite place for families on a warm day.
Slides that plunge into the lake make Flint Creek Water Park in Wiggins a favorite place for families on a warm day.