Ice Land Water Park in Ras Al Khaimah closed permanently on 30 August 2018, after eight years of operation. The closure was part of RAK’s tourism repositioning toward upmarket destinations, and the park was never replaced with an equivalent water park in the emirate. If you are searching for Ice Land in 2026, you have arrived at the right page: here is what happened, why it closed and the best water-and-family alternatives operating today.
What happened to Ice Land Water Park?
Ice Land Water Park opened in 2010 on Al Jazirat Al Hamra, near the southern edge of Al Hamra Village. The 10-hectare park featured slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and the largest man-made waterfall in the region. It was the only purpose-built water park in the Northern Emirates and a weekend favourite for residents of RAK, Umm Al Quwain and northern Sharjah.
The park closed without much warning on 30 August 2018. RAK’s tourism authority cited a strategic repositioning of the emirate’s leisure offer towards luxury and integrated-resort tourism. Around 200 staff were made redundant at closure. The site has remained inactive in the years since, although the land sits in one of the most actively developed corridors of southern RAK and is widely expected to host a future hospitality or residential project.
There has been no announcement of an Ice Land replacement in RAK as of 2026. The closest UAE water park experiences now require a 90 minute drive south to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Best alternatives in 2026: water and beach options in RAK
Without a dedicated water park, the water-fun options in RAK fall into three buckets: hotel beach club day passes, public beaches and natural swimming spots in the Hajar Mountains. Here is the current 2026 lineup.
Hotel beach club day passes
The closest equivalent to a water park day-out in RAK is a hotel beach club day pass. Several Al Marjan Island and Mina Al Arab resorts offer day passes that include beach access, pool access, and sometimes a food and beverage credit. These are family-friendly and offer the multi-pool layouts that Ice Land regulars used to enjoy. See our dedicated Best Day Pass Offers in RAK guide for current rates and inclusions.
DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island day pass
Family beach club day pass with pools, beach access and dining credit.
Area: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah
Day pass price: Typically AED 150 to AED 400 depending on day and food inclusion
What is included: Beach access, two main pools, kids’ pool, sunloungers; food credit on premium packages
Best for: Families with kids, weekend escapes from Dubai
Map: Open in Maps
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort day pass
Beach club day pass at the multi-award winning Al Hamra Beach property.
Area: Al Hamra Beach, Ras Al Khaimah
Day pass price: AED 200 to AED 350 depending on weekday or weekend
What is included: Beach, three pools, sunloungers; food credit on full-day packages
Best for: Couples, families, day-trippers from Dubai
Map: Open in Maps
Free public beaches
For free water access, RAK has 64 km of Gulf coastline and several uncrowded public beaches. Flamingo Beach in Al Rams (6 am to 7 pm), Al Hamra Beach (24 hours), Al Rams Beach (calm shallows for kids) and Jazirat Al Hamra Beach (undeveloped, picnic-friendly) are all free public access. Our 50 beaches of Ras Al Khaimah pillar covers every public stretch with parking notes.
Wadi Shawka rock pools (winter only)
Between November and February, the rock pools at the top of the Wadi Shawka hike hold water deep enough to swim in. Cold, clear, completely free. This is the most authentic outdoor swim in the UAE if you visit at the right time of year. The pools dry up from April onwards.
Wadi Shawka rock pools
Free natural rock pools at the top of the Wadi Shawka beginner hike, water present November to February.
Area: Wadi Shawka, accessed via the E18 road on the RAK / Sharjah border
Access: Free, free trailhead parking
Best season: November to February
Best for: Cold-water swimmers, hikers, families with older kids
Map: Open in Maps
Khatt Hot Springs (Khatt Hotel)
For warm-water bathing, the natural thermal pools at Khatt Hotel reach 40 degrees and contain dissolved sulphur. Day access via the hotel from around AED 52 per person. Better in the cooler months when the contrast with outdoor air is comfortable.
Khatt Hot Springs (Khatt Hotel)
Natural thermal pools reaching 40 degrees, inside Khatt Hotel.
Area: Khatt Village, Ras Al Khaimah
Price: Day access from AED 52 per person
Hours: Daily hotel hours
Best for: Therapeutic soaks, after-hike recovery, families
Map: Open in Maps
Mangrove kayaking at Mina Al Arab
Not a water park, but the closest you get to on-the-water family fun in RAK. Mina Al Arab’s protected mangrove channels run guided kayak and SUP tours through the day. Operators include Al Ras Kayak, Anantara Mina Al Arab and RAK Marine Centre. Kids from age six can join with an adult.
The next-closest water park experiences (outside RAK)
If you specifically want a slides-and-rides water park, the nearest options are 90 minutes away:
- Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. The largest water park in the Middle East, with 105 slides, swimming pools and beach access. Full-day passes from AED 295 for adults, AED 245 for children
- Wild Wadi Waterpark next to Burj Al Arab, Dubai. 30 rides and attractions, Arabian Adventure theming. From AED 295 adults, AED 250 children
- Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. 45 rides, slides and attractions on Yas Island. From AED 295 adults, AED 245 children
- Laguna Waterpark at La Mer Dubai. The smaller, beach-adjacent option; from AED 165 adults, AED 130 children
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: If you are committing to a water park day, plan it as an overnight trip rather than a same-day return. The 90 minute drive each way plus a full day at the park is exhausting. Most Dubai water parks have nearby hotel partners offering discounted overnight packages that include park entry.
Frequently asked questions
No. Ice Land Water Park closed permanently on 30 August 2018, after eight years of operation. The closure was part of RAK’s tourism repositioning toward luxury and integrated-resort tourism. Roughly 200 staff were made redundant at closure. The site has remained inactive since.
The RAK government cited a strategic repositioning of the emirate’s leisure offer toward luxury and integrated-resort tourism. The park did not align with the new positioning. There was no equivalent replacement announced. The land has remained inactive as RAK’s hospitality and residential pipeline has expanded around it.
No, there is no dedicated water park currently operating in RAK. The closest equivalents are hotel beach clubs with multi-pool layouts (DoubleTree Marjan Island, Hilton Al Hamra Beach), the natural rock pools at Wadi Shawka in winter (November to February), and Khatt Hot Springs. For a slides-and-rides water park, the nearest is Aquaventure or Wild Wadi in Dubai, 90 minutes south.
There is no announced plan to reopen Ice Land or to build a replacement water park in RAK as of 2026. The original site is in one of the most actively developed corridors of southern RAK and is widely expected to host a future hospitality or residential project rather than a leisure park.
The closest water park to RAK in 2026 is Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai (roughly 90 minutes south via E311). Wild Wadi Waterpark near Burj Al Arab and Laguna Waterpark at La Mer are also in Dubai. Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi is about 2 hours away.
The bottom line
Ice Land Water Park has been closed since August 2018 and there is no announced replacement. For water-and-family fun in 2026, your best RAK options are hotel beach club day passes (DoubleTree, Hilton Al Hamra), free public beaches, Wadi Shawka rock pools in winter or Khatt Hot Springs. For an actual water park, plan a day trip south to Aquaventure, Wild Wadi or Yas Waterworld.
For the full RAK family activities roundup, see our Things to Do in Ras Al Khaimah: Complete 2026 Guide. Message us at info@wow-rak.com or Instagram @wow.rak if you spot any updates worth adding.
