Hurricane Harbor waterpark at Six Flags Great Adventure is becoming an even more fun destination for families looking to cool off this summer! This season, Hurricane Harbor will add a new splash area, 7 new waterslides built for younger kids, offer cabana and umbrella rentals, and more diverse dining options.
The additions for 2023 will mark the largest investment Six Flags has made in Hurricane Harbor in over 20 years. Back in 2019, Hurricane Harbor added Calypso Springs, making it more family friendly. These new additions are raising the bar for family fun.
What is Hurricane Harbor?
Hurricane Harbor is a 45-acre waterpark located in Jackson, New Jersey. It features a million-gallon wave pool, a half-mile lazy river, more than 25 high-speed thrill slides and two interactive children’s water playgrounds.
Hurricane Harbor is open on weekends from May 20th – June 11th for its Spring Preview Season, and open daily for the Summer 2023 season from June 17th – September 4th.
For more information, visit https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbornj
NEW! “Splash Island”
Splash areas are a ton of fun for kids and their grown-ups alike. Hurricane Harbor’s new “Splash Island” is a high-quality splash area with fifty play features, including mini slides, curtain waterfalls, and a giant bucket that dumps water on anyone below. Kids 42″ tall or less can enjoy “Splash Island”.
“Splash Island” will replace Caribbean Cove, upgrading the old splash area with the new one. “Discovery Bay” will remain as another option for kids 42″ – 54″ tall.
7 NEW waterslides!
Right next to “Splash Island”, Hurricane Harbor is also adding seven new waterslides, all geared toward smaller riders. Think of these as miniature versions of the larger waterslides Hurricane Harbor features, which is awesome!
- Cowabunga
- Jellyfish Twist (two slides),
- RipCurl
- Shark Attack
- Splashin’ Seal
- Stingray Racer
From what we’ve seen, “Shark Attack” and “RipCurl” are single-rider raft slides that will offer kids a more gentle version of the thrill of riding some of the larger waterslides at the park that they can ride all by themselves. Jellyfish twist looks to be a cool tube waterslide with twists and turns. Stingray Racer, Splashin’ Seal, and Cowabunga Falls are milder, open slides.
These new waterslides not only increase the number of waterslides at Hurricane Harbor, but they fill a much needed demand for thrills for those guests who are not ready for some of the more adventurous attractions at the park.
NEW Cabanas and Oversized Umbrellas Available to Rent
Shade is a premium at any waterpark, and more of it is certainly welcome. This summer, Hurricane Harbor will feature brand new cabanas and oversized umbrellas that guests can rent for the day. These options will be available to purchase online and are expected to sell out, given their limited availability.
Being able to head to Hurricane Harbor knowing that you have a guaranteed shady spot to use as your headquarters for the day is probably going to be worth it for a lot of families. Cabanas will be located at the “Blue Lagoon Wave Pool”, “Calypso Springs”, and in the new “Splash Island” area once it opens.
What amenities do you get with the cabanas? A press release put out by Six Flags stated that guests “looking for a premiere experience can upgrade to a private VIP lounging area with access to games and televisions.”
The oversized umbrellas will be throughout the park in both premium seating areas and some in complimentary areas, as well.
I thought looking at some other Hurricane Harbor locations that offer cabanas and loungers would give us an idea of the cost, but the prices and amenities are not consistent at all. For example, Phoenix charges as little as $39.99 for 2 lounge chairs and a shaded canopy, but that same set up is at least $100 in Arlington, Texas. And the cabana options vary even more, from as little as $110 to at least $325 for the day.
The one consistent aspect of the pricing across the parks is that they are all listed as “as low as”. Prices should vary, with weekends and holidays costing more.
NEW Dining Options and Picnic Passes
Hurricane Harbor is diversifying its food lineup for the 2023 season, with items such as jerk chicken sandwiches, Caribbean salad, bacon wrapped pork kabob, dole soft serve and more.
Additionally, look for the dining area in the central hub of Hurricane Harbor to be revamped with new offerings and seating. This has been described as an “open air” dining experience.
I also noticed that among the park options, a new “Picnic Pass” is listed as coming soon. This pass will be available to guests who purchase a cabana or chair rental and will allow them to bring one cooler (maximum size 25″ x 14″ x 14″) to the park for the day.
It doesn’t say whether the cooler needs to be soft-sided or if hard-sided coolers are okay. I’m thinking something like this soft rolling cooler might be a good bet, as it would be easy to get from the parking lot all the way to your seats.
Now, the description under the Picnic Pass says that no beverages can be brought inside, but the park policies page says otherwise.
There are no food restrictions, but guests may not use grills or open flames in and around the water park, including in parking lots. Guests may pack sealed, unopened non-alcoholic beverages in their coolers. Plastic utensils and serving pieces are permitted, but glass of any type, including bottles or dishes, is strictly prohibited. All food and beverages must fit inside the cooler. Any items carried in separate from the cooler (i.e. in an additional storage device, such as a backpack, carriage or wagon, etc.) will not be allowed into the water park.
Hurricane Harbor NJ Park Policies – May 15, 2023.
I am interested to see what a Picnic Pass will cost as being able to bring some food and snacks into Hurricane Harbor could be a great way for families to save a little money.
Hurricane Harbor Spring Preview Dates
Hurricane Harbor will open on select days this spring before it opens daily for the summer season on June 17th. The Spring Preview dates are:
- May 20-21: 11 am to 5 pm
- May 27-29: 11 am to 6 pm
- June 3-4: 11 am to 6 pm
- June 10-11: 11 am to 6 pm
Know Before You Go:
- Hurricane Harbor only accepts card payments. You can convert your cash to a pre-paid debit card at kiosks located throughout the park.
- U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets are allowed and encouraged. Outside flotation devices such as floats, rafts, noodles, and water wings are not permitted. Lifejackets are provided for use and located throughout the park.
- Guests with food sensitivities or allergies may bring food into the park. The food must be limited to the individual with the allergy and may contain: two sealable sandwich bags (7×8 inches) and one snack to accommodate their visit (such as a piece of fruit, or a fruit bar, or a snack that fits in a sandwich bag). One small soft-sided cooler may be brought into the park to carry these items. No outside beverages are permitted. Please see Security at Hurricane Harbor New Jersey to receive a medical sticker.
- For safety reasons, Hurricane Harbor may close certain rides during severe weather. Refunds and rain checks are not offered for inclement weather. Hurricane Harbor will issue a complimentary return ticket to enjoy the park another day if a power failure or severe weather causes the shut-down of the majority of the rides at our park for more than 90 minutes.
- Prohibited Items: Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind; Mace/pepper spray and other self-defense or restraining devices; Marijuana (including marijuana enriched products) or any illegal substance; Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects; Spiked clothing/jewelry; Lawn/folding chairs; Glass bottles (excluding small containers such as baby food jars); Spray paint/markers; Recreational devices such as drones, remote controlled devices, laser pointers, scooters, skateboards and shoes with built-in wheels; Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods and similar hand held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices.
- All day, unlimited access, electronic, PIN CODE Access, lockers are available for rent at Island Traders. Cash or credit is accepted for lockers inside the park. One time use lockers are available outside the main gate and are coin operated.