In the summer of 1986, as sun-and-beach tourism was establishing itself as an economic driving force in Spain, a water park opened its doors in the town of Benicàssim, on the coast of Castellón. It was called Aquarama and today, four decades later, it continues to be an essential landmark for summer leisure in the region and, beyond that, across the Mediterranean.
Aquarama Benicàssim opened with an area of approximately 30,000 m² and eight attractions, all set against a maritime and pirate theme. Among those initial attractions, the famous ‘Salto del Ángel’ stood out – a slide that soon became, and remained for many years, the symbol of the water park. It remains in the memories of thousands of visitors and tourists to this day. However, two years later, in 1988, another major new attraction arrived: the Wave Pool. The echoes and cries of excitement it produced at the time still linger, as it recreated the experience of the sea in a familiar, family-friendly setting. Without a doubt, this was one of the water park’s most popular attractions in the years that followed.
As the decades passed, Aquarama grew and was revamped. El Salto del Ángel made way for new attractions, such as Big Slide and La Lombriz, part of the family of water slides known as ‘kamikazes’. In 1998, the Space Shot was opened – a launch ride capable of propelling astonished and adrenaline-fuelled visitors up to a height of 60 metres in just 2 seconds; incidentally, the first attraction of its kind in Spain. In 2011, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Salto del Diablo arrived – the tallest kamikaze slide in Europe and the tenth-tallest water slide in the world, standing 30 metres high and… with a descent angle of 62°!
But let’s get back, after catching our breath, to the history of the water park: over the course of those four decades, Aquarama Benicàssim has expanded its facilities to their current 45,000 m². The range of experiences on offer has grown to over 20 attractions. In total, the park has welcomed over 8 million visitors and has been recognised by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice as the 7th best water park in Spain. That’s quite an achievement!
As Lola Salgado, director of Aquarama, explained, in an interview she gave to Amusement Logic, as well as offering the usual attractions, the park has always sought to set itself apart from other leisure and tourism options, “with unusual attractions such as the Twin Twister, the Remolino, the Salto del Diablo and our flagship attraction, the Space Shot launch ride, which is the most popular attraction”. Salgado adds that they have all the necessary safety measures in place and, “although it is in the area of staffing that we allocate the most financial resources, the percentage spent on maintenance is always significant and high”.
On its 40th anniversary, Aquarama Benicàssim is embarking on a new phase, starting with the revamp of its corporate image, the launch of a new, more visual and intuitive website, and the launch of online ticket sales with 15 per cent discounts! Make the most of it if you can!
Amusement Logic has played a significant role over the years in the development of the Aquarama Benicàssim water park. As a company specialising in the design and construction of water park attractions, it has collaborated on the development and refurbishment of its facilities. It has also helped ensure that the water park remains a benchmark for innovation and safety within the sector. The interview with Lola Salgado herself reflects the close professional relationship between the two companies and their shared commitment to excellence in water-based leisure.
Forty years on from that summer of 1986, Aquarama Benicàssim remains an unmissable summer leisure destination in the Mediterranean. It is a place where several generations have shared moments of fun and thrills, and where the excitement of summer lives on undiminished to this day.
Sources: Wikipedia, El Periódico Mediterráneo, Amusement Logic, Aquarama Benicàssim.
Images: Aquarama Benicàssim.
