Wild Wadi Waterpark

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Lonely Planet review

Wild Wadi seems to satisfy everyone's needs, with dozens of ingeniously interconnected rides based on the legend of Arabian adventurer Juha and his friend, Sinbad the sailor, who are shipwrecked on a lush lagoon, beyond which lies a magical oasis. There are water-safety lessons for children, more sedate rides for young children and nervous adults, two Flowriders (artificial waves) and the truly terrifying near-freefall Jumeirah Sceirah (hold on to your trunks, lads).

Many people settle in for a few hours; the body boards and tubes are free, and food and drinks are available via a clever debit card attached to your wrist. It's important to call ahead before you visit: if it isn't closed to men (occasional Thursday nights are women-only), there's a remote chance Michael Jackson will book the entire joint to go swimming in a lycra bodysuit that only reveals his eyes and nose. This happened in 2005, and rumours persist that several lifeguards on duty that day are still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.