Sahara Sam's Oasis: New Jersey's New Indoor Water Park

So, your kids are longing for swimsuits, sprinklers and slides. Well, now you can make their dreams come true, whether the weather is cooperating or not. Load up the iPod, the towels and the kids and take a short road trip to newly opened Sahara Sam’s Oasis in West Berlin, New Jersey. This indoor water park is less than two hrs from NYC and the 286,000 gallons of water keep 11 rides and tons of kids wet and wildly entertained, rain or shine!

We traveled with four parents; and three boys and three girls aging from 2-8 yrs old, so believe me, the place was well-tested. The kids were awed into silence (SILENCE, I SAY ) as we stepped through the door. But after those two seconds, they immediately got busy. Favorites?

Crocodile Flats: A cargo rope obstacle course suspended above a lagoon

Tim-Buk-Tu Tree Fort: A giant playground of stairs, slides, and shooters, including a giant 1,000 gallon tipping bucket dumping over the fort every five minutes

Sam’s Slam Dunker: A water basketball court

Congo Bongo River Ride: A 410 foot lazy river-type tube ride with mini-waterfalls and geysers

Snake Eyes: Two eight-foot wide twisting slide barrel tunnels

The older kids (a.k.a. husbands) preferred the Rip Curl Flow Rider, a surfing/boogie-boarding machine (one of only 100 in the world). Our youngest spent most of her time in Lizard Lagoon, a shallow pool area for the preschool-and-under crowd with slides, mini-geysers, a waterfall and bungee bouncy swings.

Another great attraction is Mount Kilimanjaro, a 45 ft high family raft ride. Unfortunately, the four family members tall enough to ride this were too afraid, so it went untested by our group...but it had the longest line, so I’m gambling it was good.  

Additionally, it's nice to know that Sahara Sam's Oasis uses green technology to power their attractions themselves, and uses the latest in UV and filtering systems to keep the water clean--in fact, each ride has it's own filtering system--always a massive plus in my book!  

The café’ offers plenty of reasonably-priced food choices ranging from vegetable sandwiches and frozen fruit drinks to pizza and churros, and the keyless system allows for loading wristbands with a dollar amount–no traipsing back and forth to the locker to retrieve your pocketbook every time someone’s hungry or thirsty.

Our kids also adored the arcade--Sammy’s Trading Post–3000 feet of very reasonably priced video, simulator and redemption games. And guess what? It’s a FABULOUS way to transition—“Okay kids, time to go to the arcade ” instead of, “Okay kids, time to leave the water park ” Brilliant.

We spent two days at the park, which the kids loved, but in the future, since Philadelphia is minutes away, I’d recommend booking one of the”Stay and Play” packages. Spend a day in the City of Brotherly Love (lots going on there, but that’s another post), check in to your hotel 15 minutes away in New Jersey, pick up your Sahara Sam’s passes, and get to the park early next day. Hotels range from the Day’s Inn to the Wyndham, but the packages are a true money-saver.

A couple words to the wise:

HEIGHT LIMITS: Many of the rides required children to be 48 or taller, and most required 36 or taller. Honestly, until at least one of your children is 36 , I would postpone this trip–or you’ll just spend much of your time pulling them away from rides on which they’re not allowed to ride. (Note: 2 yrs and under are free, and the park is stroller-friendly.)

PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL TIME:   It’s best to be first at the door, as the line becomes long very quickly. In fact, it’s best to arrive fifteen minutes before the doors open, or wait until after 2pm to arrive. Earlier and you’ll be able to get in, get settled, have fun and get out. Later and you’ll be able to grab a leisurely lunch at any of the many restaurants up and down the road, then walk right in after the morning crowd departs.

PICK YOUR DAY WISELY: If possible, try for a weekday. Weekends are crowded (they average 20 birthday parties a weekend in addition to the regular crowd), and school holidays are crammed. Our family visited over Spring Break, and while capacity is 1200, it hit 900 our second day by lunchtime, and we felt overwhelmed.

PACK LIGHTLY: Leave your junk in the trunk Nothing but towels may be left out of lockers, and the lockers are very small (approx 1' tall x 1'wide and 1 ½' deep), and cost $4 each to rent.

DON’T BUY A WATER SQUIRTER FOR THE SQUIRTER FILL MACHINE: “No running” is a strictly- enforced rule at the park, with good reason, but give a group of kids water-filled squirters, and...well...let’s just say two of our group were injured within ten minutes. Unwise attraction.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY: It’s always a balmy (translation: HUMID) 82 degrees inside at least, so if Grandma’s planning to just sit and watch, tell her “no sweaters”. She’ll melt faster than Frosty. Also, in the summer, the retractable roof will open to let in the summer sunshine, so be prepared with sunblock.

Hours of operation are 11:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. Monday-Thursday;: 11:00 A.M. - 9:00 PM Friday; 10:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Saturday; and 10:00 A.M. -8:00 P.M. Sunday. Times are subject to change, so call first. A Daily Admission Entry Ticket costs for everyone over 48" is $29.95. Under 48" is $22.95, and under age 2 is free.    

More information, and images of the attractions, available at www.saharasams.com or call 1-856-767-7850.

Find more great summer fun ideas in our summer guide.