H2OBX Could Become America’s Largest Waterpark

Posted By Matt Artz on March 16, 2017

A new $46 million state of the art water park is coming to the Outer Banks, set to open in Currituck County this summer, and excitement is growing for H2OBX.

Currently under construction in Powells Point about six miles from the Wright Memorial Bridge, The Virginian Pilot recently ran a feature story on the park, which reveals a lot of new information about what we can expect at H2OBX, including the fact that it could ultimately grow to be the largest waterpark in the country.

According to the report, the 30-acre first phase to be completed this year will include more than 20 slides, an “adventure river” flowing in a quarter-mile circle, four “activity pools” with ropes and other attractions, a 450,000-gallon wave pool, a tower slide reaching eight stories tall, and cabanas available to rent.

Some of the names for the various slides being installed include Dune Runner, Wild Horse Run, and Storm Chaser.

The development could eventually expand to cover its entire 95 acres, which would then dwarf Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va., which is the largest along the mid-Atlantic at 43 acres, and would even be bigger than Noah’s Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin, which is hailed as the largest in the nation at 70 acres.

H2OBX Waterpark is expected to be open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day with a daily attendance of around 5,000.

You can reserve tickets online, with day passes for those 42 or more inches tall for $50, or $45 for those shorter, and no admission charge for children under two years old. Season passes are also available right now for $99, but only until March 31, after which the price jumps up to $109 through June 2, at which it time it will increase again to $129 through September 4.

As we previously reported, the $46 million waterpark is now under construction in the Outer Banks (OBX) and experts are hailing it as one of the most innovatively designed and uniquely located waterparks in world. H2OBX Waterpark will complement the region’s unique tourism offerings when it opens for Summer 2017, delivering world premier attractions, superior guest service, and an exciting new option for fun and entertainment to the hundreds of thousands of families who vacation in the Outer Banks each year.

H2OBX sprawls across 80 acres just off of U.S. 158 in Powells Point, NC, three miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge, the northern gateway to the Outer Banks.

H2OBX will deliver more than 30 waterslides, pools and attractions, combining several first-to-market and enhanced slides and experiences. Waterslides will offer varying degrees of thrills, lengths, drops, turns and intensity. Guests can ride the waves on a Flowrider^®, float along an adventure river, body surf in one of two wave pools, and anticipate an exhilarating 1,000-gallon bucket dump. H2OBX will offer an array of traditional rides and pools… but that’s where classic waterpark recreation ends and innovation begins.

H2OBX has been carefully designed and themed to pay homage to the history and culture of the Outer Banks. Enhanced attractions include Twin Tides wave pool, which will deliver the fundamental ocean-simulated current, tide and waves that guests love, but with new dual “beachfront” entrance points on opposite ends. A revolutionary Adventure Lagoon includes climb, crawl and balance soft mat obstacles and swim zones.

Also unique to H2OBX is an immersive, multi-level, pirate-themed, play structure that reveals a smart design offering more waterslides and interactive water effects. H2OBX will also feature hybrid waterslides, special effects including aqua-lucent lighting, gravity defying enhancements, increased thrill factors and theming to undoubtedly deliver one of the most cutting-edge waterparks ever constructed.

In addition to thrill, H2OBX has places to chill. Over 50 private cabanas, including a premium cabana village, will offer first-class amenities and luxury guest service in a private oasis setting. Shaded seating areas, multiple food and beverage outlets offering variety and quality, from snacks to gourmet, a Wright Brothers flyer themed bar, and free Wi-Fi are among the many offered conveniences.

The Outer Banks community is certain to see direct and indirect economic impacts through material supplier spending, real estate services, retail, food service, health care and more. Once opened, H2OBX will create more than 200 full-time and seasonal jobs.

“We are very excited to be working with the entire Outer Banks community to deliver a world-class waterpark that will deliver an exciting new entertainment option for vacationers,” said Arthur Berry III, H2OBX developer. “H2OBX will further benefit the area through pre-and post opening job creation and draw additional tourism to the area.”

H2OBX developers Ken Ellis, Arthur Berry III, Tim Gantz and Jeff Malarney each bring substantial experience in their respective fields; waterpark development, planning, operations and market tourism. Ken Ellis, president and CEO of Aquatic Development Group (ADG), the premier waterpark design/build company in the U.S., is also co-owner with Arthur Berry III of the Camelback Resort, home to Aquatopia, the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast, and Camelbeach outdoor waterpark.

Tim Gantz is the former owner and operator of America’s Largest Outdoor Waterpark, Noah’s Ark, and Jeff Malarney, former Navy JAGC, has been intimately involved in the North Carolina vacation rental industry, recently serving two terms on the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, and a local Outer Banks resident and practicing attorney.

ADG is the lead designer and builder of H2OBX. Drawing on decades of experience, ADG’s team designed the park to include exceptional first-to-market and hybrid attractions with attention to detail and distinctive features that guests of all ages and interests will enjoy. WhiteWater West is the lead waterslide supplier and installer on the project. The renowned Weber Group is the designer of the expertly themed buildings and structures.

“This has been an extraordinary project because of my own personal involvement and vested interest in H2OBX,” said Ellis, “I’m extremely proud of the talented and diligent team at ADG, the innovative slide design by WhiteWater West, the sophisticated details by Weber Group, and the work put forth by so many others who have created such a unique waterpark plan. H2OBX is going to be incredibly innovative because we have the full force of the industry’s best people behind it.”

Key Attractions at H2OBX:

FlowRider^®Surfing Simulator
Twin Tides dual entry Wave Pool
30,000 square-foot Action Wave Pool
Adventure Lagoon featuring balance, climb and crawl across floats and structures
Two high-speed Colorado Drop tube rides over 500 feet long and 71 feet long
90-foot tall Aqua Drop launch capsule free fall slide
90-foot tall Flat Line Loop body slides with launch capsule translucent fiberglass
50-foot drop Boomerango inner tube ride wall stall and Aqua Lucent lighting
SuperBowl thrill ride with Aqua Lucent lighting and open bowl with a distinctive sawtooth edge
500-foot long Constrictor slide featuring high-speed tight turns
500-foot long Boomerango family raft ride with drops, weightless wall and zero gravity hump
540-foot long family raft ride over 540 feet long with open and enclosed sections and Aqua Lucent lighting
Five Kid’s body and tube slides offering turns and loops
Pirate themed aqua play structure with more than 70 interactive features and seven slides including the Champagne Bowl body slide
50 Private Cabanas
Four distinct Food & Beverage outlets