Lake Erie may not be known as a surfing destination, but you can hang ten on the lake's southern shores in Sandusky. The Kalahari Resort features the largest indoor water park in America with 176,000-square feet of space to splash, slide and surf year-round. The park features two areas dedicated to surfing and boogie-boarding. A 12,000-square foot wave pool sits under a transparent Texlon roof so you can catch some rays while riding the waves. The Swahili Swirl shoots you into a 60-foot diameter bowl for a quick wash and spin before exiting into the plunge pool below. Zip lines, raft rides, a lazy river and wade pools provide additional reasons to get wet. Lockers and showers are available on-site and the park features a number of food and beverage options including a swim-up bar. The park is open to the public at 10 a.m. daily. Guests staying in the park's hotel rooms may enter the park at 9 a.m.
Kalahari Resort
7000 Kalahari Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870
877-525-2427
kalahariresorts.com
Thatched-roof huts and palm trees give the Castaway Bay water park a tropical island feel in northern Ohio's resort city of Sandusky. Three-foot waves can be body-surfed in the park's wave pool that uses a cascading waterfall as a backdrop. Three tropical tube slides twist their way to waiting plunge pools five stories below. The Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse features waterslides, fountains, climbing adventures and a 1,000-gallon dump bucket that releases a tidal wave of water every two minutes. Adults can relax in The Grotto which features two 50-person hot tubs, ideal for a relaxing soak. The park's hours vary throughout the year and overnight guests at the resort can take advantage of exclusive extended hours. Snacks and drinks are available in the park and the resort features multiple full-service restaurants.
Castaway Bay
2001 Cleveland Road
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-627-2106
castawaybay.com
Toledo area travelers can experience bathing-suit conditions year-round at the Maumee Holiday Inn's Splash Bay water park adjacent to the hotel. Special overnight packages are available from the hotel that includes water park usage and day passes are also available for non-guests. A tube slide and two body slides send riders towards a date with the plunge pools below while less adventurous visitors can cruise the calm currents of the Walleye River Run lazy river. A spa and hot tub provide relaxing areas to soak. Lockers and changing rooms are available for use and an arcade and fitness center are located adjacent to the water park for activities outside of the water. Check with the hotel for hours as they can vary according to season.
Splash Bay
1705 Tollgate Drive
Maumee, OH 43573
419-482-7777
splashbayresort.com
