Helen’s Water Park vs Summer Waves
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Helen’s Water Park | Summer Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Wave Pool | ||
| Lazy River | ||
| Water Slides | ||
| Kiddie Area | ||
| Tube Rentals | ||
| Food & Dining | ||
| Gift Shop | ||
| Parking | ||
| Picnic Area | ||
| Splash Pad | ||
| Swimming Pool |
Only at Helen’s Water Park
- Lazy River
- Swimming Pool
Only at Summer Waves
- Splash Pad
- Gift Shop
Both parks share 7 amenities including Wave Pool, Water Slides, Kiddie Area, and 4 more.
About Each Park
Helen’s Water Park
Georgia
Helen's Water Park in Georgia takes a refreshingly different approach to water park design. Instead of sprawling across hundreds of acres, everything here is compact and walkable, which parents with multiple kids will absolutely love. You can actually keep an eye on your family without hiking across a massive property. The park focuses on variety over size, packing several solid attractions into a manageable footprint. You'll find a good mix of water slides ranging from mild to moderately thrilling, plus a decent kids' area that keeps the little ones busy. The wave pool is smaller than what you'd see at major chains, but it still delivers that ocean-like experience without the overwhelming crowds. One of the standout features is how easy it is to navigate between attractions. Your group can easily hop from the slides to the lazy river without losing half your day walking. This makes it particularly great for families with kids under 12 who get tired easily. The compact layout also means shorter lines during peak times since people spread out naturally. Food options are basic but satisfying, typical water park fare that gets the job done. The staff tends to be more attentive than at larger parks, probably because they're not managing thousands of guests at once. I'd recommend arriving when they open to snag the best lounge chairs, especially on weekends. The park can get busy during summer afternoons, but it never feels chaotic like some of the mega-parks. Bring reef-safe sunscreen since you'll be…
Read the full Helen’s Water Park guide →Summer Waves
Georgia
Summer Waves sits right on Jekyll Island, giving you that coastal Georgia vibe that most water parks can't match. The salt air mixing with chlorine might sound weird, but it actually works. This is the kind of place where you can spend the morning hitting water slides, then walk to the actual beach in the afternoon if you want. The wave pool here does a solid job creating that ocean feel without the jellyfish concerns. It cycles through different wave patterns every 15 minutes or so, which keeps things interesting for both kids learning to body surf and adults who want to float around. The splash zone area works well for toddlers and younger kids - it's got those colorful water features and mini slides that keep the little ones occupied while parents can actually relax nearby. Pirate's Passage and the other tube slides deliver decent thrills without being too intense. These aren't the massive speed slides you'll find at bigger parks, but they're fun and the lines move pretty quickly. The pirate theme carries through parts of the park, which kids seem to love. Being on Jekyll Island means you're dealing with summer crowds and Georgia heat. Get there when they open if you can - the morning hours before 11 AM are golden. The shade situation isn't amazing, so grab a spot under any covered areas early or consider renting a cabana if they're available. Sunscreen is absolutely critical here since you're getting reflected sun off the water…
Read the full Summer Waves guide →Ready to visit Helen’s Water Park?