Jamie RamsayDuring the last days of summer, our kids wanted to have a little aquatic adventure. And since we couldn’t afford to have a longer road trip, our friend recommended Watermania instead.
We adults weren’t really expecting to enjoy our stay here–after all, this quick day trip is intended for our kids to enjoy before they get busy in school once again. But to our surprise, we had the most out of our stay here–felt like the entire day wasn’t enough!
Make sure to continue reading this blog if you’re curious about what you can see and do in Watermania, too!
Watermania: An Overview
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Watermania is an aquatic center in Richmond, Vancouver, which offers more than just a pool experience. You can treat this place as a water park, which can serve both kids and adults.
The moment we walked in, we already felt the family-friendly vibe in it. Our kids even heard the other children screaming and laughing, which got them even more excited to take a plunge.
While we spent most of our time in the wave pool, you and your kids can explore other facilities in Watermania too. There’s even a 57-meter pool that’s great for lap swimming—even diving!
Today, let’s go over each facility, so you can check what else is in store for you here in Watermania.
Facilities in Watermania
57-metre Swimming Pool
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If you’re looking for a pool that will allow you to practice lap swimming, then you’ll love it here in Watermania. Here, you won’t just get the typical 25-meter pool size, you’ll have a 57-meter swimming pool instead.
We loved that we didn’t need to take lots of turns while working on our endurance. Another thing that you’ll love is that they divide the entire pool in different sections, according to your pace.
So if you can’t handle too much pressure but want to somewhat challenge yourself, we recommend choosing the medium-speed lane. Nonetheless, not all lanes are crowded, so you can really enjoy a smooth pace.
This competition pool also has a movable bulkhead. They normally divide the pool into two short-course pools, which you’ll notice whenever swimmers are doing diving or synchronized swimming lessons.
This allows them to accommodate leisure swimming while having these training sessions.
Diving Boards and Tower
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There are two diving boards available in Watermania–1-meter and 3-meter springboards. There’s also a 5-meter diving tower at the far end if you’re feeling competitive.
If you want to try the diving boards, we suggest calling them ahead to confirm the official operating hours. It’s not always open as Watermania, as lifeguards oversee this area to ensure the safety of their guests.
We weren’t actually planning on diving during our visit, but when we saw the boards, we knew we had to try it too. So for first timers out there, make sure to try the lower springboards first just to get a hang of it.
Wave Pool with Interactive Water Play Features
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This area has been our kids’ top favorite inside Watermania, and we were confident enough to let our children enjoy the giant waves without getting worried about strong currents.
Aside from the giant waves, there’s also an interactive water play feature that they can enjoy in this area. You can immediately see the giant seahorse that pours water into a large bucket.
The kids love playing with the bucket, especially when it tips over when it gets filled with water.
You’ll also love that there are several water sprayers in the area, perfect if they want to play with the other kids around the pool. It’s also a great time to remind them about sharing or taking turns, especially during peak hours or seasons.
You can also let them try the giant water wheels, encouraging them to improve their balance while on the waters.
Meanwhile, if you have younger children, they will surely enjoy the tot slide. It has a short height, so you won’t have to worry if your kids can easily climb it.
There are no sharp drops here too, only small and fun loops that will make your kids go back and forth! For us, it’s a good chance to introduce them to water slides before they finally move on to the bigger ones.
Two Waterslides
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Now, if your kids want more exciting twists, turns, and splashes, you can let them try the two large water slides found in Watermania. However, kids under the age of 7 or those who have a height shorter than 1.2 meters won’t be allowed to use the slides.
And since these water slides are larger than the one you saw in the wave pool, us adults can definitely have fun in these too!
We preferred the enclosed slides as we enjoyed sliding our way down to the pool without seeing anything. However, if you’re a little claustrophobic, you may just want to explore the open-topped slide instead.
And for some reason, seeing ourselves twist and turn actually felt like we were going a bit faster than the other one. Just be careful when walking at the stairs as it can get quite slippery.
Two Whirlpools
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While waiting for your kids, you can take a moment to relax in a whirlpool tubs. You have two choices here in Watermania–one near the family area, and other one near the main pool.
The water is warm enough, so if you feel like your muscles need some relaxing, this is a great spot to be in. You can also take your rest here in between lap swimming and diving.
The jets in these whirlpools are also strong enough. We spent almost an hour resting here, as our lower backs got the massage they deserved!
And while you can’t reserve the entire whirlpool to yourself, you’ll love that it is spacious enough to accommodate a couple of people without feeling awkward.
Steam & Sauna Rooms
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If you need further relaxation, Watermania also has a steam room and sauna room. These rooms are located next to the whirlpools, so you can really plan that relaxation circuit after swimming,
We recommend trying the steam room first to open up your pores and even clear your sinuses.
While the length of your stay inside the steam room totally depends on your tolerance, we recommend staying for just ten minutes so you can rehydrate in between.
After checking out the steam room, you can head to the sauna room for some dry heat. Beware of sitting directly to the wooden benches as they’re quite hot, so just consider putting a cloth or towel to sit on so you can comfortably enjoy your sauna time.
Fitness Center
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You also don’t have to skip leg day as Watermania has a large fitness center, complete with cardio and weight machines, including free weights. It never gets crowded too, so you can work on your sets without being interrupted.
We loved that they have plenty of kettlebells in various weights, allowing us to curate a fitness program that will strengthen our core.
The gym is located upstairs, with large windows in it, allowing natural light to come in.
TV screens are also spread around the room, so if you forgot to bring your earphones, you’ll still be entertained!
Multipurpose Rooms
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You can also check out the multipurpose rooms inside Watermania. Here, they normally host fitness classes such as aerobic and other dance sessions, perfect if you want to keep entertained while waiting for your kids.
Yoga sessions are being held here too, so make sure to check their schedule if you want to catch certain classes. Don’t worry if you didn’t reserve a spot as walk-ins are totally welcome here!
We’ve also heard that some people rent the space to celebrate birthday parties too. It’s a great option for those who prefer to have an indoor pool party, complete with water-related activities.
Sports Therapy Clinic
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We told you, Watermania is really a one-stop shop facility! Aside from the pools, sauna and steam rooms, the gym, and the multipurpose rooms, this aquatic center also has an in-house sports therapy clinic.
After our whirlpool session, we felt like our lower backs are still a bit stiff, so we had them checked here. We appreciated that the therapists took their time to listen before recommending a one-time therapy session.
You can also do this on a regular basis if you really want to address some problematic areas in your body.
How to Go to Watermania
Watermania is just almost 22 kilometers away from the center of Vancouver, and there are multiple options for you to get here.
You can reach this aquatic center by driving your own car, taking a taxi or booking a ride-sharing service, or just take the bus. Let’s go over each option:
By private transport, ride-sharing, or taxi:
- Private transport: You can arrive at Watermania in less than thirty minutes. Just take the BC-99 S road from Vancouver.
- Ride-sharing or taxi: Just book a ride from Vancouver and request to be dropped off at Watermania.
By bus: The closest stations to Watermania are the Northbound Entertainment Blvd at Steveston Highway, and the Entertainment Blvd at Riverport Recreation Complex. They’re just a 3-minute and 4-minute walk away from Watermania, respectively.
The bus transit lines that you can check out are Bus 403, 404, 408, and 413.
The Best Time to Go to Watermania
For those of you who want to enjoy a calmer atmosphere in Watermania, plan your visit from 9 in the morning until noon. We went there around 10 in the morning and we were able to enjoy the whirlpool tubs without sharing it with anyone.
Try to avoid going there on a weekend, especially Friday and Saturday nights, as Watermania is the busiest during these days.
Nonetheless, if you don’t mind the crowd, you can enjoy it any time of the day, whether the sun’s too hot or even if it’s a rainy day, as Watermania’s an indoor aquatic center.
Things to Know about Watermania
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Before heading to Watermania, here are the things that you need to know:
Ticket prices:
| Fitness & Swim Drop-in Fees | ||
| Fitness Center | Swimming Pools | |
| Child (2-12 years old) | N/A | $4.80 |
| Youth (13-18 years old) | $6.35 | $6.35 |
| Adult (19-54 years old) | $7.85 | $7.85 |
| Senior (55 years old and above) | $6.35 | $6.35 |
| Family | N/A | $4.80 |
| Valid Community Center Pass Add-on Fee | $4.80 | $4.80 |
Note that those who are from 13 to 18 years of age need to submit a signed informed consent and permission form, as well as attend a fitness center orientation.
Moreover, family admission indicated in the table is per person. You also need to have at least one parent or legal guardian to accompany you if you’re under 18 years old.
Meanwhile, you can also utilize the membership and visit cards which will allow you to access the fitness center, pools, and even attend Aquafit classes. Just take note that membership is non-refundable and non -transferrable.
| Memberships & Visit Cards | |
| 1 month membership | |
| Child (2-12 years old) | $48 |
| Youth (13-18 years old) | $63 |
| Adult (19-54 years old) | $77 |
| Senior (55 years old and above) | $63 |
| 1 year membership | |
| Child (2-12 years old) | $347 |
| Youth (13-18 years old) | $457 |
| Adult (19-54 years old) | $564 |
| Senior (55 years old and above) | $457 |
| Monthly continuous membership | |
| Child (2-12 years old) | $31 |
| Youth (13-18 years old) | $40 |
| Adult (19-54 years old) | $49 |
| Senior (55 years old and above) | $40 |
| 10-visit card | |
| Child (2-12 years old) | $38.55 |
| Youth (13-18 years old) | $50.85 |
| Adult (19-54 years old) | $62.75 |
| Senior (55 years old and above) | $50.85 |
- Shower area & changing rooms: There are designated shower areas and changing rooms for both men and women here in Watermania.
- Lockers: You can also leave your towels, extra clothes, toiletries, and even your bags inside the lockers. Just don’t forget to bring a one-dollar coin to use it!
- Swimsuit spin dryer: Take advantage of Watermania’s swimsuit spin dryer so you won’t have to bring home a dripping wet suit.
- Accessibility: The entire area is wheelchair-accessible with wide entrances, making it highly accessible for people with disabilities.
