The best water parks in and around Montreal to conquer heatwaves

What is it: Montrealers have been island hopping to this three-pool complex in Parc Jean Drapeau since 1953 when it was first inaugurated as the Chalet des Baigneurs.

Why go: Each pool has a purpose, with one for competitions, one for recreation and laps, and one for diving—the highest tower springing divers into a 22-metre plunge. Typically open July thru September, the summer program is packed with movie nights, promotions, and training sessions. Parking can be tricky at times, but luckily the pools can be reached from the metro’s yellow line.

What is it: Beach meets waterpark at this aqua club, smack dab between two lakes in Pointe-Calumet (under an hour’s drive from Montreal).

Why go: Take on high waves of Tsunami, the first and only aquatic rollercoaster in the country, then try not to wipe out in Wipe Zone, a floating obstacle course with a new halfpipe. Mini aqua-clubbers can flap their water wings in castle and pirate-themed wading pools or try their hand at paddling mini canoes. Dry off lakeside with a bring-your-own picnic lunch, or stop by Splish Splash for hotdogs, beavertails, and ice cream.

What is it: Beside the Olympic Basin and inside Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Parc Jean Drapeau, find Aquazilla, a jumbo floating obstacle course on Lac de l'Ile Notre Dame.

Why go: Big kids, little kids (age six-and up), and kids at heart can slip and slide their way across the Wiggle Bridge, trampoline, giant swing, and flip bags in a race to the podium. Get your feet wet with one-hour tickets, or test your endurance with full day or season passes, available for individual and family rates.

What is it: After an intrepid car safari or bush track expedition, escape the heat at this tropical oasis in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, just south of Montreal.

Why go: There aren’t any actual sea creatures in the  Nile Descent or Dolphin Lagoon—save for the tadpoles ducking under tipping buckets and water jets. It costs an extra two dollars for a trip down the lazy river, but it might be worth it—especially if you showed up early for a glass-tunnel view of lions eating breakfast.

What is it: Make the two-and-a-half hour trek for the day or rent a chalet to soak in the waterworks at this slopeside park.

Why go: Hit the rapids of Colorado River, a two-person raft ride that pummels 700,000 litres at you as you wind your way down the mountain, or relax with a waterfall shoulder massage in the heated, adult-only Pool-spa. Savour the view from T-Bar terrace with an après-swim cocktail, but drink and dive at your own risk. When you’re all splashed out, take your ticket next door to Parc F.U.N for five free thrill rides.

What is it: Hit the slopes with 14 downhill slides at this ski-park-turned-water-park an hour’s drive from Montreal.

Why go: Slither at steep speeds down L’Anguille, zipline and dive from the Chariot de Cheetah, or catch some waves in one of four heated pools. Pack a picnic or snack on pizza on naan and sip on sangrias and smoothies at Bar Olé! Olé!. A duo ticket gets you into Divertigo, a four-story jungle of climbing walls, ziplines, 30-foot swings, and bungee jumps located further up Mount Soleil.

What is it: Cross the Quebec-Ontario border for Canada’s biggest themed waterpark, home to Summit Tower and Calypso Palace, the tallest waterslide and largest wave pool in the country.

Why go: Since opening in 2010, Calypso continues to raise the bar, sinking millions into new experiences like Aqualoop, a 2.5 G-force powered dead drop, and Kongo Expedition, a river ride through deserted islands, waterfalls, and flooded caves. As titans of the waterworld, the park owners provide plenty of practicalities, like locker room dryers and a fingerprint payment option.

What is it: Pack your passports with your swimsuit and head south to this four-season indoor waterpark in Northern Vermont. 

Why go: Pump things up before hitting ski peaks or golf greens with La Chute, a 65-foot drop from a tube so tall it juts out of the building. At 45 miles per hour, the 360-degree waterslide ends as abruptly as it begins: With a 3-2-1 countdown and a trapdoor floor sliding out from under your shrivelled toes. For something more laidback, skip the not-so-lazy Big River and head straight for the indoor and outdoor 20-seater hot tubs.

What is it: Soak up some suds after a trek through the Granby Zoo, a favourite place to visit feathered and furry friends since 1953.

Why go: In addition to Yalaka, the largest heated wave pool in Quebec, the 45,000-square-foot Amazon-themed park features a foam basin with a giant, bubble-blasting cannon. Adventure seekers can catch glimpses of Hurakan, the puffing Mayan god of wind, and a smouldering volcano from the 15-meter tall tower for the Anaconda, Ara, and Piranha slides. Rally the troops: Five-person packages are available for families and groups of all ages.

What is it: Two hours upstream of Montreal, in the Outaouais region, this mountainside park offers an accessible range of water activities—and 25 kilometers of hiking trails to boot.  

Why go: No need for chasing waterfalls here. Short cues and family-friendly slides mean littles can hang with the big kids enough to not be tempted by height-restricted rides. Splash Forest and the new Kidz Zone offer further distractions along with a three-foot deep pool and five-foot deep “beach.” But there are a few tall-sized thrill rides, including TornadoALLEY, a dark-tunneled, tantrum funnel whirlwind.

What is it: 20 north of Québec City, this four-star resort’s Ice Hotel is the main attraction come winter, but its indoor and outdoor waterparks make a splash with guests year-round.

Why go: More than 100 water games, two themed rivers, and some 35 slides—including Everest, the highest accelerating slide on the continent, and Eldorado, the heartracing new simulated free fall—make waves with families. But Valcartier also excels in hydrotherapy with Aroma Spa, a hideaway for hydrating facials and Swedish massages capped with relaxing scents and balms.

What is it: Its roof may technically be flat, but curvaceous walls and floor-to-ceiling windows are why this community complex has been dubbed the Aquadôme.

Why go: Located in Lasalle, the indoor public complex houses an Olympic-sized pool with training lanes for serious swimmers, but it’s the 50-meter recreation pool that sets this center apart. Divided into two basins, it features a shallow peewee pond with a mushroom spray fountain, and a deep end perfect for the spiral slide’s splash landings.

What is it: In the Laurentians, around the bend from Hansel and Gretel's and next door to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' house is Chez Plouf, the fairytale theme park’s giant splash zone.

Why go: With steerable waterjets, a stream-slinging contraption, and teeming mushrooms, the pad’s a good spot to let the kiddos get wet and wild in between mingling with LouLou the Wolf and Cinderella. Before towelling down and heading to the haunted house or petting zoo, skip over to the knee-deep heated wading pool.

What is it: Whether you plan to pitch a tent for the weekend or go for a day-trip dip, Aqua Parc St-Pie gives visitors grounds for more than camping.

Why go: Beyond standard campground fixtures like fire pits, petanque courts, arcades, and karaoke nights, St-Pie campers can pony up a little extra cash for access to seven water slide circuits, a big blue pool, and organized water games. Before heading back into town, run a few go-kart laps at the next door Sanair Super Speedway.

What is it: Along the St. Lawrence riverbank in Verdun, this public natatorium has been a summertime fixture since it first opened in 1940.

Why go: The first—and once the largest—outdoor pool ever built in the province, the site is a landmark of the North American Art Deco movement, best showcased by the buttressed facade of the Bathers’ Pavilion. The pool accommodates up to 1,150 swimmers, but in the off-chance that it’s full, petanque pitches, volleyball courts, canoe and kayak rental are within reach from the surrounding Honourable George O'Reilly Park.