My family loves waterparks! We have been to many, but have never gone to Breakwater Beach Waterpark, so we loved having this opportunity to explore a Seaside Heights water park. The water park is large enough to entertain a family for hours, but not too big that you would worry about your kids getting lost. We had 4 boys with us, ranging in age from 9 to 13; my 2 boys and my 2 nephews.
In full disclosure, we were provided with Breakwater Beach Waterpark tickets to make this review and feature possible. The information below is based on our visit from August 6, 2023.
Breakwater Beach Waterpark Attractions
From a lazy river to a toddler area, from slides to a sprayground, there are many attractions for the whole family to enjoy at Breakwater Beach!
The Lazy River – Revolutionary Wild River
- Minimum Height – 36” and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- The depth varies throughout the ride, with warnings when it changes. It went from 2 feet to 3 feet with sudden drop offs.
- The Revolutionary Wild River entrance is on the left side of the park, towards the back.
About the Revolutionary Wild River
The lazy river itself flows throughout the park. There is only 1 entrance/exit, and everyone must be in a tube. Smaller children need to wear a life jacket (readily available) and/or ride with an adult. There are many surprises along the route, with sudden depth changes, waterfalls, and underwater volcanoes. Kids not on the ride loved to use the cannons and cause eruptions in the river.
The Wave Pool – The Harbor
- Minimum Height requirements were not posted.
- It is a zero depth entry that goes down to 5 feet maximum depth.
- It is located at the back of the park, towards the right side.
About The Harbor
The wave pool is very large, approximately 5860 square feet providing lots of room to swim, splash, or ride out the wave. With a zero-depth entry sloping down to a maximum depth of 5’8” feet, it’s suitable for all ages and swimmers from the preschooler who wants to sit in the water at the shoreline to the tweens and teens who want to swim out to the rope at 5’ depth and dive under the waves at the deeper end. The waves run for 10 minutes, with a 10 minute rest break in between.
The Breakwater Beach Waterpark Splash Pad/Water Playground – The Perfect Storm
- Under 6 years old, or under 40” must be accompanied by an adult.
- The Nantucket Bucket dumps 500 gallons of water approximately every 10-15 minutes. There are warning bells before it dumps.
- The Perfect Storm is the first attraction you see when you walk in the Seaside Heights water park.
About The Perfect Storm
There are multiple levels on this attraction, along with many slides of various heights and lengths. There were water slides that were open, straight, one-level slides and enclosed 2-3 story high waterslides that twisted and turned as they descended down to the bottom.
It is easy to lose sight of children, but everything exits into the zero depth pool around the structure. Parents are also allowed to follow children on this structure, or they can sit in one of the chairs, some of which are covered by shade.
Lighthouse Cove – A dedicated space for toddlers and preschoolers
- Height or age restrictions – Must be under 40” tall or 150 pounds. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Lighthouse Cove is in the very front of the park, to the left of the Perfect Storm.
About Lighthouse Cove
Toddlers can climb and slide the small slides. They can dance in the water fountains in this nautical-themed area. It is pretty close to The Perfect Storm, so you need to have a good eye on them to stay in that area.
Breakwater Beach Waterpark Water Slides
There are 2 water slide structures that use inflatable tubes. Each has 2 slides to choose from. There is 1 mat slide, and also 2 body slides.
When possible we’ve listed the minimum height requirement for the water park’s slides. For specific rules and weight limitations for these water slides please see the park website or staff on duty at the park.
Tube Water Slides
There are 4 tube water slides at Breakwater Beach.
Minuteman Express
There are 2, 2-person tube slides. I personally rode this one with my nephew. There were many twists and turns, some tunnels, and it drops into a pool approximately 3-4 feet deep.
- Minimum Height is 42”
- There are 2 slides to choose from. 2 people must ride in each tube.
- It ends in a 3′ – 4’ deep pool.
- The Minuteman Express is located towards the back of the park, closest to the right side.
Two if By Sea
There are 2 brightly colored, tunnel, twisting, tube waterslides off of one tower!
Liberty Launch starts out with an enclosed tube and opens into a bowl.
Freedom Flume is an enclosed tube with 2 funnel openings towards the beginning of the slide.
These are the only 2 slides my family did not do, just for the sake of time.
- Single riders must be over 48” tall. 42” riders must ride with an over 48” rider.
- There are single and double riders.
- Ends in a 3-4” pool of water
- These slides are in the middle of the park, on the right side.
Matt Water Slides
There is 1 water slide that requires mats at Breakwater Beach.
Patriot’s Plunge
Patriot’s Plunge is a 6 lane racing slide. My children must have rode it 10 times, trying to race each other. Mats are readily available, and there are multiple steps to reach the start. There is a bridge for spectators. Riders go down face first, which was a deterrent for my 9 year old.
- Minimum Height is 42”.
- It drops into a shallow pool of water.
- It is located in the middle of the park, on the left side.
Body Water Slides
There are 2 additional water slides at Breakwater Beach. They don’t use tubes or mats.
Salem’s Scream…Oh My Cod
Salem’s Scream is an Aqua Drop free fall. The floor drops out from under you at the start, and drops you 50 feet. 2 of 4 of my boys loved this speed slide. This was easily the most thrill-seeking water park slide there.
- Minimum Height is 48”.
- It is a free fall drop.
- Riders end at the bottom of the slide, not in a pool.
- Salem’s Scream is towards the back of the park, on the left side. Stairs lead to 3 rides, with signs advising where to go for each one.
Revere’s Wild Ride
Riders can be seen at every twist and turn through this clear tunnel slide. It was so fun to see the kids through the slide.
- Minimum Height is 48”
- This is a serpentine body slide.
- Riders end at the bottom of the slide, not in a pool.
- Revere’s Wild Ride is towards the back of the park, on the left side. Stairs lead to 3 rides, with signs advising where to go for each one.
More things to do at Breakwater Beach Waterpark
There are additional things to do, including eating, soaking, resting, and sunbathing.
Soak in the Plymouth Rock Hot Springs – Breakwater Beach Waterpark’s hot tub
- Children under 2 are not allowed, and all kids should be accompanied by an adult.
- The Hot Springs are located towards the middle of the park, on the right side.
About the Plymouth Rock Hot Springs
There are 2 separate hot tub pools to relax in, with ledges around to sit on. My boys did not last long in here, only because they were looking for more slides to ride!
Casino Pier Amusement Park
Casino Pier is just across the street from Breakwater Beach. You will need to exit the waterpark to head to the amusement park. You can learn all about Casino Pier Amusement Park in my other review. We were able to do both parks on the same day.
About Breakwater Beach Waterpark
Where is Breakwater Beach Waterpark?
Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier are located at 800 Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights, NJ.
When is the Breakwater Beach Waterpark open?
- The Breakwater Beach Waterpark opened for the season on May 27, 2023, and was only open weekends until June 19, 2023. After that it is open for it’s seasonal hours, see below.
- The Breakwater Beach Waterpark closes for the season on September 10, 2023. Is it only open weekends and holidays from August 26, 2023 to September 10, 2023.
- During its season the Seaside Heights amusement park is open:
- Hours vary depending on the day. Either 9:30 am – 6 pm, or 10 am – 5:30 pm. There are certain Family Fun Nights when they are open until 8 pm. Hours can be found on their website.
How much are Breakwater Beach Waterpark tickets?
Prices vary depending on height and age. A ticket for under 48” is $40 for the day. Over 48” is $45 daily.
How can I save money on Breakwater Beach Waterpark tickets?
You can purchase a Ride & Slide ticket for $75, good for Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. Under 48” is $69. There are also varying specials that must be purchased in the park.
Where is parking for the Breakwater Beach Waterpark?
Breakwater Beach Waterpark does not have its own parking lot. There is street parking, municipal lots, and private lots surrounding the park. We parked in a municipal lot for $3 per hour. Simple enough to pay for as many hours as you need with a credit card at the pay station.
How much is parking?
There were many lots around the park, charging various amounts for the day. There were also municipal lots charging $3 per hour.
A few more things to know about the Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights, NJ
Here are some additional details that may be helpful.
Outside Food Policy
Outside food is not allowed. Our bag was thoroughly searched upon entrance. Food for infants or those with medical needs will need to be cleared.
Where can we eat and buy food at Breakwater Beach Waterpark?
Our family ate at the Dockside Cafe. Menu options included burgers, chicken fingers, pizza, fries and sodas. There is an area set aside with tables to eat.
There are snack stands, ice cream stands and bars throughout the park as well. You can learn more on their website.
Lockers
You can rent a locker for the day. Small lockers are $20, and large are $25. There are 2 locations for lockers.
Changing Rooms & Showers
There are changing rooms near the restrooms in the center of the park.
Restrooms
There are multiple restrooms available throughout the park. There are signs advising that they are not to be used as changing rooms.
Safety is important to Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach
Every time a Jersey Family Fun writer visits Breakwater Beach, it’s been that safety is important to them. We saw evidence of that at multiple points.
- Multiple lifeguards are situated throughout every water area. Any time we prepared to ride a waterslide, a lifeguard would confirm we were aware of the safety procedures for that waterpark activity. Announcements over the speakers, multiple times an hour, remind parents that they should engage with their kids in the water and not just from a distance.
- There were many shady areas and chairs for taking a break. Breakwater Beach had many shady sitting areas available and even on a beautiful day when the waterpark was busy, there was always plenty of places for people to find a seat. There is seating in the shade at several spots along the rides as well as up on a deck with tables for enjoying food.
- At the Breakwater Beach Lazy River there were tubes for the kids with flat closed in bottoms. For those little kids, who think they are a big kid let them ride in one of those tubes and hold hands or walk with them as he/she rides the river. The lazy river never gets more than 3 feet deep. Though do be careful because the change from 2 feet to 3 feet and back again can be sudden.
- While we always recommend wearing footwear at theme parks, we know it’s not always practical, especially at a waterpark. At Breakwater Beach waterpark, it’s clear that extra precautions have been put in place to protect guests’ feet.
- Most stairs up to the waterslides are kept shaded by the waterslides tunnels themselves.
- Lockers are underneath a deck in a shaded area.
- Some pathways have a protective mat on the ground that seemed to be somewhat heat resistant. It was still warm, but not as hot as walking on a hot sidewalk barefoot.
5 Tips for Visiting Breakwater Beach Waterpark
Here are 5 tips that might help make your visit to this water park in Seaside Heights easier.
- Get there early. There were plenty of seats in the morning, but it did get crowded in the afternoon.
- You can purchase a locker, or leave valuables at home. We wore waterproof camera cases and just tucked a credit card in the case.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen. While some chairs are under shade, the rest of the park is very sunny.
- You can come and go for the day – don’t let littles take off their bands.
- It is completely fenced in, with one exit through the gift shop.
Learn more about local water parks in our guide to Splash it up at these Local Water Parks in New Jersey. Learn more about Breakwater Beach Waterpark, a Seaside Heights water park, at their website.