Newport Dunes Aquatic Park: A Splashy Date Day Adventure

Why We Recommend It

We’ve tried a lot of unique date spots, but this one is a top pick for pure playfulness and laughs. Here’s what makes it special:

  • Active & Different: It’s not every day you get to challenge your friends or date to an inflatable obstacle race on the water!

  • Great for Groups or Couples: Bring your significant other or round up a crew. Either way, you’ll end up in the water (intentionally or not).

  • No Experience Necessary: You don’t have to be an athlete to have fun, just come ready to get wet and be a little silly.

  • Perfect for Beating the Heat: On hot days, there’s nothing better than cooling off in the water while staying active and having fun.

If you’re searching for a memorable, active date day (or a fun group hangout), Newport Dunes Aquatic Park in Newport Beach is about to make your summer bucket list! We spent the day splashing, bouncing, and tumbling on their inflatable water park all in the shaded sun with friends. Here’s what you need to know before you go (and why you should absolutely try it).

To watch our full experience, click here.

What to Know Before You Go

📍 Location: Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, Newport Beach, CA

🔸 Pricing: $21/person for a 1-hour session

🔸 Parking: $10 for 30 min–2 hours (sometimes they let you in for free if you’re lucky!)

🔸 What to Wear:

  • Highly recommend a rash guard and even a wetsuit for warmth and to prevent scratches.

  • Water shoes can help with grip.

🔸 Crowd Factor: Be prepared, there are a lot of kids! (Think summer camp vibes.)

🔸 Hours: Open daily during the summer.

  • 9:30-5pm

🔸 Reservations: Highly recommended.

🔸 Safety: Life vests are provided and required for all participants.

💡Pro Tips

  • Book your session online in advance, especially for weekends.

  • Bring a waterproof phone pouch for pics (or just go unplugged and enjoy).

  • Rashguards or wetsuits = happy, scratch-free day.

  • Arrive a little early to find parking and sign waivers.

  • Don’t bring valuables, lockers are limited.

  • If you want fewer kids around, try for an early morning or weekday slot.

  • The sun is strong, but you’re mostly shaded by the water’s reflection—don’t skip sunscreen.

Our Experience

We went with a group of friends on a sunny weekend and instantly felt like kids again. The inflatable course is basically an adult-size bouncy house floating on the bay, think slides, climbing walls, balance beams, and a whole lot of wipeouts (don’t worry, falling in is half the fun). We dared each other to make it across the trickiest obstacles and ended up in the water more than once.

From the moment we put on our life vests, the energy was pure excitement. The course looks easy from the shore, but we quickly learned it’s a hilarious test of balance and agility. Some of us made it across the bouncy balance beams with ninja-like precision, while others took the “splash approach” and ended up making big, dramatic falls into the bay. Honestly, falling in might be the best part, it’s refreshing and just adds to the fun. At one point, we started a friendly race across the course. Highly recommended if you’re the competitive type!