Big Surf Waterpark Reviews

So many people. Took 40 minutes to go down one slide. Bees were everywhere. Me and my family got stung by tons of them.

So much fun!!! So many things to do... a bunch of Different slides... The wave pool... Fun tiki huts to lay under... A bar area for adults... Food... Music... And my favorite is the kiddie area where my son wants to play for hours!!!! His face of joy makes my year! They even have actual surf sessions for legit surfers at night time. So fun to watch! Thank God for season passes!! And Thanks to the amazing staff... Super/always helpful.

We've been going here for years, but notice the same issues year after year. For example, the purple slide is always out of service. Pool resurfacing is not done and this year, there was green moss growing in the wave pool. It's sad... things aren't being taken care of.

Havent been since i was a teen, had fun great rides and wave pool but after 15 years they still serving terrible food and overpriced !needs upgrades badly overpriced tickets wheres the money going? Your smaller then Wet n Wild N Sunsplash so at least better food and upgrade the place and educate your employees please:( not worth it anymore now that im a parent Goodbye ill be going else where for 30 bucks a ticket:(

Our father use to take us when we were children.
Big surf has changed a lot since then.
Soo much more fun for everyone.
I've been able to experience it for myself, my child and now my grandchild.

Its a great place and the owners of most let schoops rent the place out to say goodbye to students for a day

Fun place to cool off. Just had issues with there not being enough tubs for rides and the ones they did have were flat.

They have a SERIOUS bee problem, and my niece was stung on the shoulder as a result. There were dead bees in the wave pool, a myriad of bees buzzing around the grassy areas, and a few even made their way up to the top of the waterslides, which is where my niece was stung.

First Aid did what they could: monitor her vitals, apply anti-itch cream, and keep an eye on her to see if she broke out in hives or stopped breathing. Turns out my niece is not deathly allergic, which means no one had to deal with anaphylactic shock (which I was informed they are NOT equipped to deal with, as there are no epi-pens of any kind on site), but her luck ran out when we discovered she's EXTREMELY sensitive to bee venom. Like stratospherically, absurdly sensitive.

The pain was excruciating and lasted for hours. It radiated down her arm and across her chest. It caused several panic attacks. Tylenol and Ibuprofen couldn't touch it. She was in tears the whole way home.

All because Big Surf is infested with bees, from the bottom of the wave pool all the way up to the top of the slides.

We won't be returning, and I would caution ANYONE with a known bee allergy to stay far, far away.

on the website it said it was open but then we went there and it was closed like what? it s usually a good water park tho

Fun place to take a 8 year to play. Season pass holder and like thw discounts i get

Great fun for kids and adults. The wave pool is awesome.

Parking was limited and the place was completely packed but the lines seemed to run through pretty quickly considering. I don't think I ever waited more than 15 minutes in a line. Wave pool was for the most part clean, but it could use more attention. Price is okay, park needs to be updated. Looks the same as it did 15 years ago and nothing new has been added. I'd say other parks in Phoenix would be better to go to like Wet N Wild. But for the price I paid, it was a fun day. Staff was friendly. Just not a 5 star experience

We just went here yesterday and had a lot of fun. It seems to have aged some over the year and could use some freshening up, but it was still enjoyable.

The slides are pretty basic, but the lines moved quickly and we got to go on everything several times.

I still think the wavepool makes it a unique waterpark with the giant curling wave every three minutes. Fun stuff.

Also a plus: the grass beaches/landscaping are very nice and seems to make the park feel less hot.

Its good to have fun with your family and surf board

This place is awesome the wave is huge but sometimes you get hit by someone or get ran over with someone on a floaty but I m fine with that it s personally AWSOME totally recommended

Not the beach but still fun: I recently bought a season pass to spend my summer at Big Surf in Tempe. I have been there several times . I actually have been going to Big Surf on and off since it opened and spent quite a bit of time there in the 70s 80s and 90s. It is sad that this place has tried to compete with the big slide water parks. They are taking up so much of the room with the slides that it doesn t seem beachy anymore. Gone is the sand, replaced by grass and cement. I do like the shade structures and lawn chairs; however, I wish they would let us supply own own seating. You are extremely limited on what you can actually bring in the park. No food, pool toys, drinks, or umbrellas... many people bring their food, leave it in their car, come out and sit out front in the little bit of grass that is there and have their lunch. They should put picnic tables out there for those people. The food inside is like most places, not too great, very basic choices, and overpriced. The one thing I really do commend them on is the cost for entry. You can get a yearly pass or a one day pass on Groupon for a very affordable price. A lot less price than you will pay at any of the other water parks. It does get pretty crowded and the wave pool becomes a mosh pit in the afternoon. Get there early and leave when it gets too crowded.

When we got there we had to register. The girl who registered us was rude and couldn't read printed writing. Later I had to ask 5 different staff about there lockers all of them said they didn't know. On the 6th try I found someone who could answer my question. The food was way over priced and not very good. This place made me miss water world in Colorado.

Only real wave pool in town. Wish they add more slides.

It has a good wave pool, but i personally am a water slide junky, so it isn't my cup of tea. But if you want to hang out with friends in the wave pool it is the perfect place. Sorry just not my thing.

I just got a season pass for my family and it's so worth it. I love how they have discounts on food and that they have a free locker where you can bring your own padlock. Other theme parks require you to pay for lockers and the food is so expensive. Not Big Surf. They obviously care about people's budget.

This park was a lot of fun. There are plenty of slides and pools so there is no way to get bored, although they do not have a lazy river. Again, they had enough going on there that it wasn't really missed.

We didn't have the food, so can't comment there, but I agree with others that the bathroom situation is a joke. There is one bathroom for men and one for women and they are tiny. The men's only has one stall and a couple of urinals that are packed in so tight that two adults can't stand next to each other so you have to wait. Update the restrooms guys!

Overall it was a fun day, and we were pleasantly surprised at the fun level of the slides and pools.

So much fun they closed early both days we went though? Whats up with that

fun place to hang out with the family. designated areas for small children. couple things: overpriced food. it tastes good, but costs a lot. slides are a bit outdated and could use some renovation.

They have plenty of slides, a wade pool for the toddlers, a pool for kids around 4 and up but anyone can go in. It has a bench in the middle under a ramada. We love the wave pool. That closes an hr before the park does so surfers can surf but the two kid pools are open until close. Season passes are good end of May to Sept. Season passes have their own entrance to bypass the line. I buy mine on Groupon for around $38 with 20% off code and it comes with two one time guest passes, discounts on admission, food, and rafts.

On the plus side, the lines were short and the front gate security were considerate. And, boy howdy, do I love that smell of stagnant water, the feeling of algae slimy under my toes. The slides had a beautiful view of deflated and abandoned tubes of future past, a wonderful view of rusted support beams EVERYWHERE, and the staff had a wonderful sense of humor, making fun of guests for not knowing that they didn't fix such fixtures as the outdoor showers, and they dispensed with the formalities of such things as injury and incident reports when other guests fall and land flat on their backs, a testament to their dedication to safety, and their upkeep of the pool decking. The rides were fun enough, all four that were actually operational, and the water pressure was awesome, I got stuck on every slide. Would totally recommend... If you like athlete's foot.

I had such a lovely time with my family! I would very much reccomend the wave pool! It is very fun!

Wonderful place for little kids and adults.. love the wave pool..

Better than expected! The water is clear & feels fine. Life guards do take their job seriously & make sure everyone is following the safety rules. But arrive early. Got there a few minutes before open time and there was already a line of about 75 people. If the short line wait doesn't bother u, it's still best to be early to get one of the few shaded parking spots. The women's bathroom looks recently renovated and is cleaner than restrooms at an average mall. The different slide sizes are a great idea. You can only bring in water. There's food & beverage sold on site & the price is about the same at a fair. The wave pool area has alloted more time slots for rafters than boogie boarders. Do bring towels & sunscreen. Didn't get to try the biggest slides so we'll definitely going back.

I like it i was a really good place but the staff was mean and they ignored our questions

Amazing!!! Family environment, special area for little kids, but also fun for adults, definitely coming back!

This water park is a great family experience. The food was not too bad and not expensive. The wave pool is huge and my kids loved the slides. The only problem we had is they need to add more lawn chairs. We went on a very slow day and it was so difficult to find even a couple. The staff was very nice and you can tell the lifeguards are very diligent and focused on safety. The lawn chair issue is not enough to deter our family from coming back though.

Great time..a little crowded but it was expected on the 4th of July. Groupon has a great deal on tickets. Love the slides and wave pool

No lazy river. Too specific height requirements for small children creating division between smaller children. Kinda over priced for way too many "surfer" breaks. One life guard said she was too small another just right get consistent

Purchased the groupon, took 3 kids 8, 5 and 2. the baby area could be expanded and/or connected to bora bora bay; which would make more sense. The older two kids had fun going on slides and the wave pool. Definitely could do with waves more often and better balanced pool chemicals. The majority of teenaged employees were all polite and helpful. The food stand was pretty typical, when bringing a defective souviener cup to the attention of the cashier received some exasperation that we wanted a non broken one. Would never pay full entry price and is definitely more ... simple then sunsplash.

The young ladies up front were sooo nice, I am a Dad with no clue and lots of kids but the kindest they showed, you better do something nice for them, they truly deserve it and made a hectic day a blessing, thank you Big Surf, your staff is amazing. We are loyal customers for life and will be buying the passes.

Crazy expensive. They charge for Everything. Could not find water fountain so you must buy overpriced concessions. 3 "attractions" were closed. Place is way outdated. Timeshare reps at the front that bombard you right inside the gate. Would not recommend. Go to sunsplash. Way better value.

A little past it's prime. I'm sure young ones would overlook it's deficiencies.

Nice places for adults to sit in the water and watch their kiddos play in a pool without having to be constantly in line for an attraction.

Great Water Park!!! Friendly staff short lines for the slides! Great waves in the pool and plenty of shade to hang out and enjoy the day!!! Love the real grass also. Perfect Oasis in the desert!

Very nice amount of slides and water play. Good amount of seating areas as well as covered for groups and restrooms. Foods not great and spendy for junk food. Bring sunscreen!!!!

It's pretty amazing the wave pool it's cool but not alot of slides

It's ok if you are in east valley and don't want to drive far.

Buy the tickets from Groupon .they are cheap
I like the slides for the kids

Had a GREAT time with my daughter here...didn't get to enjoy any of the specialty slides or even the lazy river though. I did however get to play with her on a snail slide and frog slide! It was a little disturbing that she was pushed around by toddler's and their mothers just watched and said nothing or even the LIFEGUARDS! Something would have been nice considering it was a water slide for toddlers! I had no problems in redirecting the little bully's! Lol! We went in July and no fans or misters were on by the picnic area! Don't understand that either... Makes it difficult to eat or take a break from the sun. And lastly, the need to have life vests for little one's. My daughter is 2 but very petite. The vest swallowed her up and you could tell she was miserable in it.

This place is horrid. The bottom of the water slides look like they havent been cleaned in years. The place could pass as abandoned if the water wasnt flowing. Paint is chipping, rusr and trash everywhere. The kiddie pool is disgusting. How long ago did the bathroom burn down? I have seen entire communities built faster. Do not spend ur money here.

Great price for a water park. Lots to do for kids of all ages. ( Adults too) Both my 3 and 7 year olds loved this spot. Have to bring them back again

It was ok but seemed like something was missing. And expensive... $8 for a locker.. A locker you don't keep.. $8.

Didn't really stand out above other parks. Slides pools attractions, basically what you would expect.

Some kid around me literally had to go to the hospital because they got hit my some idiot in the wave pool because there was WAY to many people plus while I was there some fat guy kept running in to me. (They should have a wait limit.

Pretty large wave pool, lots of slides. In spite of the huge number of people there it didn't seem crowded at all.

Fun and relaxing not too big and not too small. Good food and staff

LOVE this water park. It's for ALL ages. We had a blast

We went the day before Father's Day with my nephew, who's firm he deals with rented out the entire park! There was free everything! We had soooo much fun & I highly recommend this to anyone that loves the water! We rode the waves, my great nephews were daring enough & slid down the huge slides! My little great niece & great nephew were on the baby side with my sister & brother inlaw (their grandparents). There was definitely something for eveyone!

Good supply of food and drink that was free to everyone and in wave pool, there was many rafts to play on and the waves were big.

I like big surf. This place has the one and only real wave pool, that simulates the ocean. It's not choppy waves that rock you back and forth. The wave gets pulled up from the bottom, and actually creates an ocean like wave, all the way to the shore. Once you learn where to put your raft to surf to shore, it's a blast.
Downside..... there doesn't seem to be enough lifeguards that watch the wave pool . It can be overly crowded. It's hard to control your raft when you're in the wave, so you end up rafting on top of someone else. Or someone else rides on top of you. That's fine and fun, but it's also a easy way that people get hurt and kicked in the head and whatnot. You have to watch out and take precaution for yourself. The food's pretty decent for a snack bar

What a fun place. Check out the wide selection of water slides. The wave pool is also fun for the family. Go check out the many features to choose from.

Took the kids for my son's birthday and honestly he had a great time the rides were fun although while we were there we had a couple issues -1st. Aside from the food being slightly over priced but well within for a place like this we received our order with one meal missing .when we asked about the missing meal the cashier told us that they lost our ticket . 35 minutes later we finally got our mediocre pizza.- 2nd issue we had was when one lifeguard took it upon himself to yell at my son on his birthday in regards to him being alone heading to the kids section without me being right next to him needless to say I was not far away and I understand rules but this dude was on a power trip for sure overall it was ok , we got discounted tickets on groupon . I do not recommend paying full price.

Filthy! Moss growing in all pool areas and I was scared the stairs would crumble - dirty, bugs, cracks in the pool areas - I don t care how old it is it needs a serious cleaning.