Exploring Meryal Waterpark: Qatar’s Premier Water Adventure
Qatar’s National Vision for 2030 envisions the nation as a progressive society capable of sustaining its growth and ensuring a high quality of life for its residents. In alignment with this vision, Qetaifan Projects initiated the development of a water park to enhance the entertainment offerings in the region. The result is Meryal Waterpark, an innovative destination that perfectly merges thrilling adventures with the rich cultural essence of Qatar.
Blending History with Today
Situated in Lusail City, Qatar, Meryal Waterpark harmoniously combines tradition with contemporary entertainment, providing an unmatched leisure experience that pays tribute to Qatar’s oil and gas heritage. With 69 rides, slides, and attractions, there’s something to excite every adventurer. The name “Meryal” signifies the depth of the sea, symbolising safety and familiarity for the local populace. Meryal Waterpark is more than just a water park; it’s a tribute to Qatar’s legacy and modern ambitions, ensuring unforgettable fun and adventure for families.
Inspired by this vision, WhiteWater partnered with Qetaifan Projects to design attractions featuring various shades of aged metal and rust, creating a water park that serves as both an entertainment hub and a cultural landmark.
Meryal Waterpark by the Numbers:
- 69 attractions
- 280,000+ square meters of land
- 20,000 construction staff
- 7 horizontal and 3 vertical conveyor belt systems
- 40,000 sqm beach
Qatar’s Largest Waterpark
Covering 60 acres, Meryal Waterpark stands as one of the most technologically advanced properties in the Middle East, featuring on-ride projections. While the cutting-edge technology distinguishes the water park from others in the region, it’s the engineering expertise from WhiteWater that truly elevates the property.
Visitors can enjoy both wet and dry rides across nine distinct zones:
- Maydan Mahzam
- Halul
- Al-Karkara
- Al Idd El-Shargi
- Bul Hanine
- Rig 1938
- Dukhan
- Al-Dasha
- Al-Yal
Mainland Waterpark
Maydan Mahzam
Families can share the thrill of the ride at the family raft ride tower in Meryal Waterpark, Maydan Mahzam, which features the Abyss (Dukhan No.10) and Walhalla (Rocket Blast) water slides. The first installation of Walhalla in the Middle East combines two of WhiteWater’s most popular attractions—Boomerango and Manta—creating a unique family ride experience that offers maximum G-forces, near-weightlessness, and exhilarating oscillations, all while maintaining rider safety. The visually stunning ride has garnered over 285 million views on Instagram!
The Abyss is one of three slides within the park, providing guests with a thrilling drop into a large funnel for a zero-gravity experience filled with multiple oscillations.
Halul
At the core of the mainland water park is Halul Tower, which boasts two slide towers: the inner tube ride complex and the high-speed body tower.
The highlight of the inner tube tower is the AquaSphere water slide, allowing guests to engage with technology themed around party, jungle, sunset, and extreme. Known for sparking curiosity, the AquaSphere reveals iSlide projections that change based on the rider’s selection.
On the high-speed thrill tower, four body slides launch riders at speeds of up to 53 kilometres per hour. Thrill-seekers can opt for the AquaLoop, which features a gravity-defying 360-degree loop, or the high-speed Flatline Loop.
Al-Karkara
Connecting the various elements of the water park is the 4,150-square-meter wave pool (Oil Slick Lagoon), capable of generating waves up to 1.2 meters high. This area serves as a central gathering point for families, enhancing the overall experience by providing a communal space for relaxation and enjoyment.
Also located in this zone is the region’s first SlideWheel water slide (Rapid Refinery), which launches 3-4 person rafts every 32 seconds. Riders oscillate within the spinning SlideWheel before being released into a serpentine descent of 11.5 meters (38 feet) into a pool. The ride offers a 96-second spectacle of physical and visual wonders, featuring captivating AquaLucent technology.
Al Idd El-Shargi
Adjacent to the Rixos hotel, Al Idd El-Shargi features two high-speed body slides: AquaDrop and Speed Slide, alongside a six-lane Whizzard and two side-by-side Master Blaster + Tailspin Fusion water slides (Wildcat’s Well).
Hotel rooms overlook the dueling Master Blaster + Tailspin Fusion water slides. Riders begin by boarding an inner tube and launching into the Tailspin, spiralling downwards before experiencing the Master Blaster section, which pushes them uphill with water. A series of twists and turns await as the two slides race side by side to the finish.
All three slides on the speed tower launch from a height of 21 meters. AquaDrop sends riders on a heart-pounding journey inside an AquaLaunch capsule, where a countdown precedes a trapdoor opening, sending them into a free fall. Speed Slide takes riders down a steep drop in an open flume, followed by a gut-wrenching zero-gravity crest. The Whizzard pits groups of six against each other as they race through AquaLucent patterns and 360-degree turns, competing head-to-head.
This zone also features a Wave River that meanders through a cave and beneath cascading waterfalls.
Bul Hanine
Families with children will find endless entertainment in Bul Hanine, which boasts two multi-level aquatic play structures: AquaPlay 550 and RainFortress 5. With 255 play features and 13 slides of varying heights, this area ensures fun without long queues.
The AquaPlay 550 is complemented by a splash pad offering ground-level interactives for toddlers. Prioritising safety and comfort, this section features over 1,300 square meters (15,000 square feet) of Life Floor on the splash pad, using colour strategically to indicate water activity zones and overspray areas, helping guests navigate the park without getting unintentionally soaked.
Icon Tower on Rig 1938
Home to the renowned Icon Tower, Rig 1938 is the island section of the water park, featuring 12 water slides. This ambitious project marks a significant achievement in WhiteWater’s 44-year history, as the Icon Tower stands at a record-breaking 85 meters (278 feet). Winning a 2023 MENALAC Award for Most Unique Concept, the slide tower encompasses 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) of slide path, with each of the 12 slides offering a unique experience.
Among the main attractions is the Abyss water slide, recognised as the largest funnel slide globally. The WhiteWater team elevated one of the Abyss slides to 40 meters (131 feet), four times the standard height, requiring meticulous planning to manage the high wind load due to its exposed island location.
To facilitate seamless transitions between rides, WhiteWater’s engineering team designed two water-filled stainless steel transition tubs, allowing guests to navigate effortlessly from one slide to the next. This innovative feature enhances the overall experience, enabling visitors to enjoy panoramic views from the island while smoothly moving onto the next set of attractions.
Icon Tower by the Numbers
- 12 different water slides over 6 decks
- 279 ft (85 m) high
- 2.3 miles (3.7 km) of slide path
- 4,600 FRP parts on the tower
- 1,411 ft (430 m) total sum of elevation drops
- 253 ft (77 m) drop from top platform
- 12 minutes total slide time
- 3 pedestrian elevators
In Summary
Meryal Waterpark exemplifies Qatar’s dedication to its National Vision for 2030, providing unmatched entertainment experiences. Through careful planning and innovative design, Qetaifan Projects has established a landmark destination that intertwines history with contemporary attractions, captivating visitors with its immersive storytelling and state-of-the-art technology.
With its record-breaking rides, immersive theming, and meticulous attention to detail, Meryal Waterpark sets a new benchmark for water parks in the Middle East and beyond. It stands not just as a water park but as a symbol of Qatar’s vision for the future—a place where adventure meets culture, creating lasting memories.
