Big Surf, Tempe, AZ

The fun began in 1969 when Big Surf first began operating its water park. It celebrated forty years in 2009. When the park first opened they had the first wave pool in the United States. The Clairol Company put up the money for the parks construction. Big Surf is operated by Golfland Family Fun Centers. In the early days of the park they would hold surfing competitions and exhibitions. Because of safety concerns this was discontinued in the 1990's and surfing isn't allowed in the wave pool at all now.

Golfland is open year round, but Big Surf is seasonal. The hours vary so guests wishing to visit should call or go online for the times of operation. There are many ways to enjoy the park. Tickets can be printed online so there is no waiting when people get to Big Surf. The price for a Season Pass is $119.00. It is valid for Bug Surf and Sun Splash, but not at WaterWorld. A Season Pass for children under two years old is twenty dollars and can only be purchased at the parks.

Big Surf general admission for visitors forty eight inches or taller is twenty six dollars. A Big Surf junior admission for guests under forty eight inches tall is nineteen dollars and fifty cents. Big Surf toddler admission is three dollars for ages two and under. Seniors that are fifty five or older can get in for nineteen dollars and fifty cents. If people show up after three o'clock in the afternoon they will only pay nineteen dollars.

Birthday parties can be held at Big Surf. The birthday party package for Monday through Thursday includes: all day admission to the Big Surf Waterpark, two slices of pizza per person with a soft drink, a table set up with decorations and a free Waterpark pass for the birthday child for another visit to the park. These parties are for children that are fourteen or younger and a minimum of ten people are needed. Reservations are required at least three days in advance. The price is twenty six dollars each. Big Surf birthday parties that are held Friday through Sunday are twenty eight dollars per person with the same amenities.

Big Surf offers rentals for lockers at an all day price of eleven dollars which includes a five dollar refundable deposit. There are also raft rentals for five dollars a day with a one dollar refundable deposit.

There are many areas to play in at Big Surf. Captain Cook's Landing is for the little ones to play in. This area has a giant frog, seal, alligator and a turtle to play on. There are also several slides that are perfect for children under the forty eight inch mark. They can travel down the Cyclone and Tsunami slides that end in Mona Loa Bay. There are slides that are perfect for smaller children that splash them into Bora Bora Bay. Hurricane Falls, the Abyss, Kilauea Cove and Tahitian Twisters are several more adventure slides for the entire family to enjoy.